Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a method of monitoring an individual’s health data via a network of user groups and determining what, if any, action is required. The invention also concerns a system of monitoring an individual’s health data.

Background of the Invention

Technology enabled care (TEC) or Telecare services provide patients, or individuals, with a service that monitors the individual in their home and raises an alarm if there is a health concern. The system requires at least a basic audio alarm and may include a full intercom security system comprising an indoor and/or outdoor camera, motion sensors, and alarms. In the event that the individual requires assistance, for example if they fall, the alarm can be set off by the individual pressing a button, creating a loud noise and/or sending a signal to a carer or the emergency services.

Whilst basic alarms can be inexpensive to purchase and a fairly reliable way of contacting someone, the system relies on the individual pressing a button to sound the alarm and having people nearby. A more sophisticated intercom system can be expensive to install. Whilst the intercom system can monitor an individual in more detail in their home, it can alert the emergency services of minor incidents, which may be an inefficient use of resources and time consuming for the individual and the emergency services. The current systems are reactive and rely entirely on the local authority and health services to improve an individual’s health.

With an ongoing shortage of hospital beds, resources and the continual demand on health and emergency services, there is a need to minimise the use of the emergency services and to prevent individuals going into hospitals where not strictly necessary.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved system and method of monitoring an individual’s health data. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is a method of monitoring health data of an individual via a network of user groups, the method comprising the steps of collecting and processing health data relating to the individual using a smart device; analysing the health data and categorising the health data into at least one of a plurality of data types, each of the plurality of data types corresponding to a corresponding category of user group; and sending a notification related to the health data to one or more of the corresponding category of user groups.

The present invention may facilitate preventative health measures in order to assist individuals to keep healthy, improve their health if they have asymptomatic health problems, and to allow management of pre-existing health problems more efficiently and safely within a supportive network of user groups. The method aims to improve self-responsibility, self-caring and self-confidence, and to create a supported community with less reliance on the external emergency services. The method pushes responsibility of the individual’s health and well-being on the individual, their friends, family and the community. The categorisation of health data and linking that health data with a corresponding user group, may prompt the most appropriate intervention and/or supportive measures to be taken by the appropriate user group. For example, health data indicating a health emergency may be linked to an emergency services provider, and prompt emergency care to be dispatched. Health data indicating positive or negative habits may be sent to a supporter or supporters of the individual, and may prompt supportive measures such as an encouragement message to be sent by the supporters.

The smart device may be a watch, glasses, band, chest strap, blood pressure monitor, weighing scales, and/or any wearable technology arranged to detect physiological characteristics of a monitored individual. There may be a plurality of smart devices, and the method may comprise the step of collecting and processing health data relating to the individual using a plurality of smart devices. For example, there may be a smart watch, smart glasses, audio device and/or a video camera arranged to monitor the individual. The smart device may be a device which is already incorporated into the individual’s home. By using pre-existing smart devices, the individual may save on the cost of buying bespoke alarms or monitoring systems.

Health data may include physiological data, such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, water levels, activity levels, heart rate variability, resting heart rate, frequency of movement, frequency of exercise, duration of activity, movement, or exercise. Health data may include psychological data, such as mood, emotions, and/or feelings. Such data may be collected by the smart device prompting the individual to answer questions that relate to the physiological and/or psychological state of the individual. The health data may be analysed and categorised into health data types in various ways. For example, the health data may indicate the heart rate of an individual. That heart rate may be categorised as a health data type, and sent to the appropriate corresponding user group, such that the heart rate may be monitored at any time by the corresponding user group. Alternatively or additionally, the heart rate data may be analysed to compare the heart rate of an individual to threshold values, above or below which the heart rate value indicates a cardiac event occurring. The heart rate data may be analysed and categorised into a “cardiac event” data type when above or below the said threshold values, and that may result in a corresponding user group, for example the emergency services, being notified.

The collected health data may be sent to a smart device such as a smart phone or tablet. The smart device may comprise a sharing platform or App. The platform/ App may be downloaded on any smart device, and thus allows the network of permitted user groups to access the individual’s health data via the platform/ App. The user groups may monitor, interact and provide feedback on the health data via the platform/ App.

The method may comprise the step of providing the corresponding category of user group with access to health data relating to a plurality of individuals. For example, a user group or user such as doctors and/or health professionals can access health data relating to a plurality of individuals within a virtual hospital ward. This may be advantageous for doctors to remotely monitor patients in a hospital.

The step of analysing the health data may include comparing the health data to average or common health data. For example, there is a range of values which provide an average healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) for an individual. If the analysed health data indicates that the individual’s BMI is below or above the average BMI for a healthy individual, a notification may be sent to one or more corresponding user groups. The step of analysing may include comparing the health data with the individual’s previous health data, and a notification may be sent to a user group if the health data indicates either a positive or negative change.

The method may comprise the step of evaluating the individual’s current health data before the steps of monitoring the individual’s health data. In this step, current health data may be collected, for example height, weight, sex, gender, and/or pre-existing health conditions. The individual may be evaluated in the form of tests, such as Cardio Vascular (CV) and/or diabetes tests, in order to obtain health statistics relating to the individual such as heart health, brain function, and/or obesity. The individual’s current health may be collected from a consultation between a health professional and the individual.

The method may comprise a step of combining the individual’s current health data and the monitored health data from the smart device. The combined health data may be analysed and categorised into at least one of a plurality of data types. The data types may include different disability types. For example, physiological, psychological, sensory, mental, cognitive, speech and language, and/or learning and developmental disabilities. The combined health data of the individual may be compared to average or common health data. The combined health data of the individual may be allocated a score within each of the data types based on an average or common health data. The score may allow certain user groups, for example occupational therapists, general practitioners, nurses, or other health professionals, to determine the required support for the individual. The score may be linked to a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which contributes to additional costs associated with the disability type. The method may comprise a step of determining the support required for the individual’s disability, assisting the individual to lead a full, active, and independent life. The method may comprise the step of sending a notification to a welfare body, whereupon an automatic payment may be made, or adjusted, in order to account for the individual’s immediate health conditions. For example, if the health of an individual is deteriorating, a payment may be made or increased. Alternatively or additionally, the method may comprise the step of sending a notification whereupon the treatment of the individual, for example frequency of home visits by a carer, is adjusted.

The plurality of data types may combine a number of different health data. The plurality of data types may be mobility, heart health, activity, sleep, mood, and/or nutrition. Each of the plurality of data types correspond to a category of user group. For example, data type related to heart or blood health may correspond to a professional support group, e.g. a healthcare provider. Health data indicating health conditions which do not require professional treatment or monitoring can correspond to informal user groups in the individual’s network of user groups, which may reduce the pressure on professional health services and emergency health services.

The user groups may comprise professional support providers and/or informal support providers. For example, an informal support provider may comprise local support groups, family, and/or friends. A professional support provider may comprise healthcare workers, social services, and/or doctors. One or more other categories of user groups may be included in the individual’s network, such that the method comprises the step of sharing health data relating to the individual with other corresponding categories of user groups. Other categories of user groups may be included depending on the individual’s health requirements, for example, a cancer patient may include a cancer community user group.

A user group may comprise one or more users. The user or users may be a family member, friend or group of friends, neighbours, and/or a local support group.

The platform or App may comprise one or more modules. Each of the modules may concern a specific health or welfare category. A module may be, for example: a wound care treatment and management module, a dietary and nutrition module, a psychology module, a neurology module, an internal medicine module, an oncology module, a haematology module, a rheumatology module, a cardiology module, a geriatrics module, a pathology module, an otorhinolaryngology module, a clinical genetics module, a family medicine module, a radiology module, an anaesthesiology module, a podiatrist module, a child and adolescent psychiatry module, an anaesthesiology module, a physiatry module, an immunology module, a dermatology module, a pulmonologist module, an addiction psychiatry module, a cardiology module, or an orthopaedic module. Each module may collect data relating to specific relevant user characteristics, and may be accessible to specific relevant user groups. For example, a cardiology module may collect heart-related data, and may be accessible to cardiologists, who may assess the heart-related data.

The method may comprise a step of customising the platform or App to include one or more modules, such that user groups or individuals can access one or more modules on a single platform or App. Advantageously, modules that would otherwise be individually accessible on different platforms may be accessed on a single platform or App. A user group or individual may customise the platform to include any number of modules required at any given time. A module may be added or removed from the platform or App. The platform may be customised by the user groups. For example, a medical professional may customise the specific module(s) and number of modules included on the platform based on the analysis of the individual’s current and monitored health data. In some embodiments, the modules may be configured to include data types or health data relating to different individuals. For example, health professionals may access a plurality of modules relating to a plurality of patients in a hospital ward on one platform or App.

One or more of the users may access the health data via the platform/ App using an access code. On a smart device, the platform/ App may be password protected, which protects the individual’s personal data being accessed by users outside of the network of user groups. Only permitted users and/or user groups can access the individual’s health data. The individual can decide on the user groups that are within their network and who may access and share their health data. The user and/or user groups may access the individual’s current health data, a summary of their health data, or specific health data variables e.g. heart rate, GPS location, and/or movement.

Notifications may be in the form of an alert on a smart device. Notifications may be in the form of an audio notification on a smart device. The notification may be a visual notification such as an image or pop-up message on a smart device. Different types of notifications may be sent depending on the severity of the individual’s health. For example, the notifications may be colour coded in red, amber and green colours, wherein a green notification may alert a user or user group of a good or average health data, amber notification may alert a user or user group of advised health improvement, and red notification may alert a user or user group that immediate action is required. The method may comprise one or more of the user groups communicating with the individual in response to the notification. The communication may be an encouragement messages or congratulations. The communication may be advice related to the notification, for example an exercise plan in response to inactivity and/or injury. The notification may result in rewards being collected. By sharing health data, individuals and their community can create a virtual support group which may help prevent health issues developing, and reduce pressure on the emergency services.

The method may comprise one or more categories of user groups communicating with other categories of user groups. The different categories of user groups may be able to view the individual’s health data simultaneously. The user groups or users may be able to track the health data live. For example, a user or user group may be able to monitor the individual’ s current heart rate. A user or user group may be able to view the individual’s environment using a smart camera installed in the individual’s room or house. The user group or users may access a summary of the individual’s health data.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising a network of user groups, a monitored individual, and a platform, wherein the platform is configured to receive and analyse health data relating to the monitored individual, and categorise the health data into a plurality of data types, each data type corresponding to a corresponding category of user groups.

The network of user groups may comprise informal support providers and/or formal support providers. The network of user groups may comprise community users e.g. family and/or friends, social services, healthcare providers, and/or emergency services. Each user group may comprise a plurality of users.

The platform may be an App. The App may be downloaded on any smart device, and thus allows the network of permitted user groups to access the health data via the App. The user groups can monitor, interact and provide feedback to the individual on their health data via the App.

The platform may be configured to analyse health data related to the monitored individual and categorise the health data into one or more data types, each data type corresponding to a corresponding user group. The platform may be configured to send a notification to the one or more of the corresponding user groups. The different corresponding user groups may communicate with other corresponding user groups.

The monitored individual may have a smart device configured to monitor the health data of the monitored individual. The smart device may be a watch, band, chest strap, blood pressure monitor, weighing scales, and/or any wearable technology arranged to detect physiological characteristics of the monitored individual.

The platform may be configured to receive the individual’s current health data. The current health data may be evaluated from a consultation between a health professional and the individual. The platform may be configured to combine the current health data with the monitored health data. The platform may analyse the combined health data. The platform may categorise the combined health data into one or more data types. The data types may include different disability types. For example, physiological, psychological, sensory, mental, cognitive, speech and language, and/or learning and developmental disabilities. The combined health data of the individual may be allocated a score within each of the data types based on an average or common health data. The platform may be configured to analyse the combined health data and determine the support required for the individual’s disability, assisting the individual to lead a full, active, and independent life.

The platform may be configured to provide the corresponding category of user group with access to health data relating to a plurality of individuals. For example, a doctor or medical health professionals may need to access health data relating to a plurality of patients in a hospital ward. Doctors or medical professionals may remotely access health data relating to a plurality of patients. Some health professionals, for example occupational therapists, general practitioners, nurses, or other health professionals, may access the health data to analyse the health data and determine the level of assistance that the individual requires. The health professional may allocate a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) that the individual requires to assist with any disability types.

The platform or App may comprise one or more modules. Each module may concern a specific health or welfare category. A module may be, for example: a wound care treatment and management module, a dietary and nutrition module, a psychology module, a neurology module, an internal medicine module, an oncology module, a haematology module, a rheumatology module, a cardiology module, a geriatrics module, a pathology module, an otorhinolaryngology module, a clinical genetics module, a family medicine module, a radiology module, an anaesthesiology module, a podiatrist module, a child and adolescent psychiatry module, an anaesthesiology module, a physiatry module, an immunology module, a dermatology module, a pulmonologist module, an addiction psychiatry module, a cardiology module, or an orthopaedic module. Each module may collect data relating to specific relevant user characteristics, and may be accessible to specific relevant user groups. For example, a cardiology module may collect heart-related data, and may be accessible to cardiologists, who may assess the heart-related data.

The platform may be configured to meet the specific requirements of a user. For example, additional modules may be added where improved user outcomes may result. For example, a cardiology module may be added to the platform if the user is experiencing cardiology issues. Alternatively, modules may be removed from the platform if the module relates to a health or welfare issue not being experienced by a user. Such an arrangement may provide a more efficient use of data management resources, for example, for non diabetic users, there may be no need to provide the ability to monitor blood sugar levels.

Provision of different modules which may be added or removed from the platform provides a flexible and advantage approach, wherein the platform may be tailored for specific users or groups of users. The platform may also be expanded should more modules become available over time, for example because of improvements in technology or healthcare services meaning that additional useful data may be collected and monitored.

In some embodiments, the modules may include data types or health data relating to different individuals. Advantageously, a user group, for example a health professional, may access a plurality of modules relating to a plurality of patients in a hospital ward on one platform or App.

It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the system of the invention and vice versa. Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

Figure 1 shows steps of a method in accordance with an aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a system for monitoring a patient’s health in accordance with an embodiment of an aspect of the invention; and

Figure 3 shows a system for monitoring a patient’s health in accordance with a second embodiment of the aspect shown in Figure 2.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows the steps taken for monitoring a patient or an individual’s health 10. The method comprises the step of collecting health data from an individual (step 12). The health data is collected and processed using a smart device such as a smart watch. The smart devices are described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3 below.

The health data is sent to a shared platform (step 14). The platform in the present embodiment is an Application (App). The health data is analysed and categorised into at least one of a plurality of data types (step 16). The health data can include heart rate, pulse rate, breathing, blood pressure, step count and elevation, and/or sleep recording. The health data provided here are examples, and it will be appreciated that other health data may be measured. The data types can include physiological (e.g. movement) and/or psychological (e.g. mood) types. The data types may include different disability types. For example, physiological, psychological, sensory, mental, cognitive, speech and language, and/or learning and developmental disabilities.

The data types correspond to corresponding user groups. For example, a data type may be an indication that the smart device has detected the user is exercising or has exercised. A corresponding user group may be an informal user group, for example family members of the individual. Another data type may be the heart rate of a user, in particular the heart rate being above or below a healthy range. A corresponding user group may be healthcare providers or carers.

Once the health data has been categorised as above, the corresponding user group is sent a notification (step 18). For example, if the individual’s step count is low, a user or user group such as family members, are notified on their smart device.

The corresponding user group or users can communicate with the individual. The user group can prescribe a service or provide health advice to the individual (step 20). For example, the user or user group could encourage the individual to move and increase their step count. Users or user groups can also communicate with each other. For example, a family member may need to contact a local health carer, or vice versa.

The health data is stored on the App such that the health data can be accessed by the individual and/or the users (step 22).

Figure 2 shows a system 100 for monitoring an individual 101 using a smart device 110, which, in this embodiment, is a smart watch. The smart watch 110 is worn by the individual 101 on their wrist. The smart watch 110 may be any watch that can monitor, record and process the individual’s 101 health and activity. For example, the watch may provide an Electro-Cardiogram (ECG) readout which can indicate cardiac arrhythmia and/or atrial fibrillation, and comprises infrared transceivers which can detect breathing and blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, body temperature, and resting pulse rate. The smart watch 110 may comprise a motion sensor, for example an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope. The smart watch monitors one or more of the number of steps, activity tracking, elevation, and/or sleep tracking.

The smart watch 110 has an integral wireless communication unit 112 in order to wirelessly communicate and send data to a platform 120 such as an App on a smart device or a server. The smart watch 110 may communicate via Bluetooth <RTM> or any other wireless communication protocol.

The health data is collected and processed by the smart watch 110 and the health data is categorised into at least one of the plurality of data types. The data types may include health data related to one or more of mobility, heart health, activity, sleep, mood, or nutrition.

The user groups have one or more users. The user groups are categorised and correspond to one or more of the plurality of data types. The user groups have access to the individual’s health data via the App 120. The network of user groups that are permitted to access the individual’s health data may be collectively called “data friends”. The network 130 includes at least family 122 and/or close friends 123. Other user groups can be added into the network 130, by the individual, depending on the individual’s health requirements. For example, an elderly individual may need community care workers 124 in their network 130. Other user groups, such as health and social carers 126, cancer care community 127 and/or health professionals 128 e.g. doctors, or the emergency services, can be added to the individual’s network 130, if necessary.

The App can only be accessed by users and user groups that are within the individual’s network 130. Other users and/or user groups can be added into the individual’s network 130, with the individual’s permission.

The user or user group can have a live view of the individual’s 101 health data. The health data can be sent to the App continuously, such that a user could view the individual’s health data live. The individual’s health data can also be viewed as a summary on the App 120, for example if medical assistance is required, a summary of the individual’s health data on the App could save time and may result in a quicker diagnosis.

The App 120 analyses the health data by comparing the individual’s health data to an average or common health data. The average or common health data may be a range of values. If the analysed health data is outside the average or common health data for a healthy individual, the App 120 shall notify one or more corresponding user groups in the individual’s network 130. The notification shall alert a user or user group on a user or user groups’ smart device which will prompt the user or user group to react, for example to send an encouragement message.

The users or user groups from the network 130 can communicate with the individual 101 via the App 120 or on the individual’s a smart device 110. For example, a family member may be able to alert the individual 101 via the App 120, to move if their step count is below the average or common health value. Users within different user groups can communicate and notify each other. A user or user group can prescribe or co-ordinate with other users or user groups to recommend resources and communicate with the individual efficiently and responsively.

Figure 3 shows a system 200 for monitoring an individual 101 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Where some of the features of the invention are the same as the features in Figure 2, the same reference numbers have been used.

Figure 3 shows a number of smart devices 102, 104, 110 configured to monitor and collect health data from the individual 101. The smart devices in the present embodiment are all enclosed in a house or in a room within a house 108. The individual 101 is monitored by a smart watch 110, a video camera 102 and a smart audio device 104. The features of the smart watch are described in detail in the embodiment of Figure 2. The video camera 102 and the audio device 104 has an integral wireless communication unit in order to wirelessly communicate and send data to a shared platform 120 such as an App on a smart device or a server. The video camera 102 and the audio device 104 may communicate via Bluetooth <RTM> or any other wireless communication protocol. The video camera 102, smart audio device 104, and/or smart watch 110 may be wirelessly connected and communicate with each other.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

In other embodiments of the method as described with reference to Figure 1, the individual’s health data may be collected by a plurality of smart devices such as video camera, smart watch and an audio device, which are incorporated in the individual’s home.

The step of analysing may include comparing the health data with the individual’s previous health data. A notification may be sent to a user or user group if the health data indicates either a positive or negative change. An example of a positive change would be wherein the individual has surpassed a goal such as a daily step goal. An example of a negative change would be where an individual has not reached a goal such as a daily step goal.

The user or user group may be notified via an audio alert. The notification may be a visual alert on the user or user group’s smart device for example an image or pop-up message on a smart phone. The step of storing the health data may be on a virtual server. The health data may be stored on a hard drive, for example on a smart device which has the App installed, or on a separate storing module.

A pre-examination step may be conducted on the individual before the steps of monitoring the individual’s health data. The pre-examination step may comprise measuring key health data e.g. weight, height, age, sex, gender, and/or any preexisting health conditions. The step may comprise conducting a Cardio Vascular (CV) test which provides an analysis of the individual’s current and future health e.g. percentage likelihood of having a heart attack, stroke, and/or diabetes. The preexamination may be a consultation between a health professional and the individual.

The step of analysing may include combining the pre-examination health data with the measured health data. The App may be configured to categorise the combined health data into one or more of the plurality of data types. The combined health data of the individual may be scored within each of the data types based on an average or common health data. The App may determine the score and thus the level of support that the individual needs. The score may be linked to a Personal Independence Payment (PIP). For example, if the individual is unable to stand or move a distance more than one meter, the App may determine that the individual is eligible for an enhanced rate of PIP.

In other embodiments of the system as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the smart watch may be configured to collect psychological data, such as mood, emotions, and/or feelings.

The App 120 may comprise one or more modules. The modules may represent different specialised categories of health or wellbeing. The modules may be accessible on a single App, which allows the user groups and individuals to have access to all of the health data relating to a user via a single App, rather than having to collate data from various different sources. Various modules may be added to or removed from the App in dependence on the particular circumstances of a user, for example adding modules relating to health conditions the user requires to be monitored, and removing modules relating to heath conditions not requiring monitoring for that user.

The App 120 and/or certain data types which are on the App may be password protected and therefore an access code must be provided to access the data. The access link may be a password. This provides the individual with a level of privacy and control on who can access their health data.

The health data may be sent to the App continually, for example, the health data of the individual on the App may be updated in time intervals, for example, every 5 seconds, 10 second, and or 15 seconds. The time intervals may be longer, for example every 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and/or 10 minutes. The time interval for which the individual’s health data is sent to the App can be altered. This may be advantageous when the health of the individual has changed. For example, if the individual is unwell and their health needs to be monitored more frequently, the time interval for transferring the health data from the smart watch 110 to the App 120 can be shorter.

The smart devices, such as the smart watch 110, video camera 102 and smart audio device 104 may be connected to a storage module (not shown) within the individual’s house 108 which may store the content recorded on the watch, camera or microphone integrated in the audio device.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.