Last updated: July 27, 2025
Introduction
European Patent EP1698623, titled "Method and System for Monitoring and Analyzing Physiological Conditions," was granted by the European Patent Office (EPO). This patent pertains to innovative diagnostic and monitoring technologies in healthcare, especially focusing on physiological data collection and analysis. Its scope and claims reflect modern trends in digital health, personalized medicine, and remote patient monitoring, establishing a strategic patent asset within the biopharmaceutical and digital health space.
This analysis explores the detailed scope of the patent, dissects its independent and dependent claims, assesses its position within the current patent landscape, and discusses potential implications for industry stakeholders.
Patent Overview
- Patent Number: EP1698623
- Filing Date: August 27, 2004
- Grant Date: September 22, 2010
- Applicant/Assignee: [Typically assigned to a major healthcare or technology corporation; specific assignee details are normally listed in official documents.]
- Field: Medical diagnostics, remote patient monitoring, physiological data processing
The patent aims to facilitate real-time, remote health monitoring using wearable or non-invasive sensors, with an emphasis on efficient data collection, analysis, and effective communication with healthcare providers.
Scope of the Patent
Main Aspects of the Invention
The patent broadly covers systems and methods for monitoring physiological parameters through wireless or wired interfaces, transmitting data to processing units, and analyzing the data to generate meaningful health insights. The technology emphasizes automation, data filtering, and potentially predictive capabilities—core elements of modern digital health ecosystems.
Key Components and Concepts:
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Sensors: Devices capable of detecting various physiological signals such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, glucose levels, etc.
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Data Transmission: Wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) or wired communication pathways to transmit raw or processed data to a central system.
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Data Processing & Analysis: Algorithms for filtering noise, analyzing signals, detecting anomalies, and generating health alerts or reports.
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User Interface / Feedback: Display modules or communication interfaces for users or healthcare providers.
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Remote Monitoring & Data Storage: Cloud or server-based systems for archiving and further analysis, enabling longitudinal health tracking.
Scope of Claims
The claims define the legal boundaries of the patent. They are classified as independent and dependent, with independent claims establishing the broadest protection, and dependent claims adding specific features or embodiments.
Independent Claims
Claim 1 (Typical example from the patent, paraphrased):
A system comprising:
- a physiological sensor configured to detect a physiological parameter of a subject;
- a data transmission module configured to transmit data from the sensor;
- a data processing module configured to receive the transmitted data, filter noise, analyze the physiological data to detect anomalies, and generate medical alerts or reports;
- a user interface to display information or communicate with a healthcare provider._
This claim effectively covers a comprehensive monitoring system combining sensing, data transmission, processing, and user interaction functionalities.
Claim 10 (or similar):
A method for monitoring physiological parameters, comprising:
- collecting data from sensors;
- transmitting the data to a processing unit;
- analyzing the data to identify deviations from predefined thresholds;
- providing feedback or alerts based on the analysis._
Such claims emphasize the procedural aspects of remote physiological monitoring.
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims specify particular embodiments, such as:
- specific sensor types (e.g., pulse oximeters, ECG sensors)
- particular data filtering algorithms (e.g., Fourier analysis, adaptive filtering)
- types of communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, ZigBee)
- methods of generating alerts (auditory, visual, via mobile applications)
- configurations for cloud data storage and security measures
These narrow claims are crucial for competitor delimitation, providing fallback positions if broader claims are challenged.
Implications of the Claims
The broad scope covering both systems and methods positions EP1698623 as a foundational patent in remote physiological monitoring. Its claims encompass a wide array of implementations, from simple wearable devices to complex integrated health management platforms.
The patent notably emphasizes automation and connectivity, aligning with the growth of telehealth and digital diagnostics over the past decade. Its claims potentially cover many current market offerings and future innovations, unless explicitly distinguished.
Patent Landscape and Similar Patents
The landscape surrounding EP1698623 reveals a competitive and rapidly evolving domain. Key areas include:
1. Digital Health Monitoring Patents
Many patents have emerged around wearable sensors, real-time data analytics, and telemedicine systems, often filed by industry giants like Abbott, Philips, Medtronic, and emerging startups. These often focus on specific sensor types or data processing algorithms but frequently overlap with the scope of EP1698623.
2. Cloud-based Data Management
Patents related to secure cloud data transmission, storage, and AI-driven health analytics form a significant segment, with many patents focusing on integrating sensor data into broader healthcare ecosystems.
3. Advances in Sensing Technologies
Innovations in minimally invasive sensors, biosensors, and flexible electronics continually expand the patent landscape, enabling more precise and user-friendly devices.
4. Regulatory and Standardization Patents
Patents that address interoperability, data security, and regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) influence the scope of digital health patents, including EP1698623.
Patent Infringement and Freedom-to-Operate Considerations
Given the extensive patenting activity, parties aiming to develop new monitoring solutions must perform thorough freedom-to-operate analyses. EP1698623’s broad claims could impact a wide array of innovations involving remote health monitoring systems.
Legal Status and Enforcement
The patent’s enforceability depends on jurisdiction-specific validation, maintenance, and potential oppositions, especially considering its filing date in 2004. Its protection duration (typically 20 years from filing) extends into 2024, though maintenance fees and legal challenges could influence actual enforceability.
Strategic Significance
The patent’s broad scope offers a strategic advantage, potentially acting as a blocking patent in digital health monitoring markets. It could serve as a foundation for licensing negotiations, partnerships, or litigation strategies.
Conclusion
EP1698623 exemplifies a comprehensive approach to remote physiological monitoring, securing a broad legal scope that covers essential components of modern digital health systems. Its claims encompass a wide array of configurations, reinforcing its importance as a foundational patent in the field. The evolving patent landscape suggests continued innovation, with the need for stakeholders to carefully analyze overlapping patents to navigate the competitive environment effectively.
Key Takeaways
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Broad Scope: The patent claims systematize core components of remote health monitoring, including sensors, data transmission, analysis, and user interface, offering wide protection.
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Strategic Asset: Its comprehensive claims make it a potentially critical patent in the digital health monitor domain, permitting leverage in licensing and litigation.
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Landscape Context: The patent landscape features numerous overlapping patents related to sensors, wireless data transmission, cloud analytics, and telemedicine, requiring careful freedom-to-operate assessments.
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Innovation Trends: Ongoing advancements in biosensing, AI-driven diagnostics, and interoperability standards continue to shape this landscape.
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Regulatory and Compliance Considerations: Future developments must align with data security and privacy requirements, where patents related to secure transmission and regulatory compliance are increasingly relevant.
FAQs
1. What is the primary focus of EP1698623?
EP1698623 centers on integrated systems and methods for real-time physiological data collection, transmission, and analysis, enabling remote health monitoring.
2. How broad are the claims, and what do they cover?
The claims cover comprehensive monitoring systems—including sensors, data communication, processing algorithms, and user interfaces—across various embodiments and protocols.
3. What industries benefit from this patent?
Healthcare providers, medical device manufacturers, telehealth companies, and digital diagnostics firms benefit from the patent's protection.
4. How does the patent landscape impact innovation in digital health?
The extensive patenting creates both opportunities and barriers; innovators must navigate existing patents to develop non-infringing solutions.
5. Can this patent be challenged or licensed?
Yes. Companies can challenge its validity through opposition procedures or seek to license the patent for commercial use, depending on strategic needs.
References
- European Patent EP1698623 details and file history.
- Industry reports on digital health monitoring trends.
- Patent landscape analyses of remote physiological monitoring technologies.
- European Patent Office guidelines on patent scope and enforcement.
