Foot temperature and health monitoring system

(54) FOOT TEMPERATURE AND HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM

(75) Inventors: Lawrence A. Lavery, San Antonio, TX (US); C. Mauli Agrawal, San Antonio, TX (US); Kyriacos A. Athanasiou, Houston, TX (US); George P. Constantinides, San Antonio, TX (US); Dan R. Lanctot, San Antonio, TX (US); Ruben G. Zamorano, San Antonio, TX (US)

(73) Assignee: Salix Medical, Inc., San Antonio, TX (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 152 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 10/029,043

(22) Filed: Dec. 20, 2001

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2002/0082486 Al Jun. 27, 2002

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/578,948, filed on May 25, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,398,740.

(51) Int. CI.7 A61B 5/00; A61B 6/00

(52) U.S. CI 600/549; 600/474; 600/300;

128/920

(58) Field of Search 600/300-301,

600/474-477, 473, 547, 549, 554-557, 587, 592, 594; 128/897, 898, 920; 340/573.1;

73/172

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring skin temperatures at predetermined locations on the body ol a human or an animal. One embodiment includes a platform with a grid including holes on which the user stands. Under the grid is a movable array ol light sensors and temperature sensors. The foot position is determined Irom the output ol the light sensors. The temperatures at predetermined locations on the skin surface are determined by the signals obtained from the temperature sensors. Additional vital health information may be obtained by other sensors on the apparatus. The data may be stored for future retrieval, or transmitted to a remote location for off-site monitoring. Alternative embodiments include sensor blankets or wraps whereby temperature sensors monitor skin temperature for areas of pressure on the blanket or areas covered by the wrap.

30 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets