Abstract

A method and apparatus for measuring and displaying the vital signs of a patient wearing an alpha-numeric identification bracelet, including a temperature sensing probe for making body contact with the patient, a portable, data-gathering acquisition unit and electronic anticipation circuitry disposed in the acquisition unit and coupled to the probe for sensing the change in patient temperature and predicting the stabilized temperature of the patient. There is a digital read-out coupled to the anticipated circuitry for indicating the predicted stabilized temperature of the patient, and an alpha-numeric sensor coupled to the acquisition unit and responsive to the alpha-numeric code for reading the code to identify the patient. The system also has a data storage memory coupled to the digital read-out and the anticipation circuitry for storing the predicted stabilized temperature and the indentification of the patient. The system further includes a pulse sensor disposed in the acquisition unit for detecting the pulse rate of the patient. The pulse sensor is coupled to the digital read-out and the data memory for storing the patient's pulse rate. A console is provided having a visual display, a digital keyboard for selecting identification concerning the patient, and a means for electronically producing patient vital-sign data on the visual display of said console in response to the keyboard. The console is coupled to the acquisition unit.

Other References

• Roach, C. J., "Patient Data Processing -- The Key to Hosp. Autom.", Amer. Jrnl. Med. Electr., Jan. - Mar., 1962, pp. 51-57