Assembly consisting of medical treatment units and peripheral devices, peripheral device and treatment unit for use in an assembly of this type

Translation of description of equivalent WO 2008128696 A2

p0001Arrangement of medical treatment units and

p0002Peripheral devices, and peripheral and treatment unit for use in such an arrangement

p0003The invention relates to an arrangement of at least two medical treatment units and at least two peripheral devices, said medical treatment unit of the at least two medical treatment units and a peripheral device of the at least two peripheral devices is assigned to a patient and the patient to be assigned Peripheral allocated to the patients medical treatment unit. In addition, the invention relates to a peripheral device and a treatment unit for use in such an arrangement applies.

p0004In medical technology, see the treatment of patients different treatment units use to which the patient or that are connected to the patient. The link between the patient and machine generally occurs via hoses and / or cables. Among the known treatment units include, for example, dialysis machines with an extracorporeal blood circuit.

p0005It is known to operate medical treatment units together with one or more peripheral devices. Such satellites are used for example, during treatment to monitor the patient, wherein the determined patient-specific data is transferred to the treatment unit.

p0006During dialysis, for example, physiological data of the dialysis patients are detected with various sensors. The aim here is that the link between the patient and the dialysis machine and the peripheral device consists of only the necessary bloodlines of the extracorporeal blood circuit and as few other lines. While there is a firm connection between the unit and the patient through the tubing, the data transfer between the peripheral device and the treatment unit can be wireless, for example via radio or light signals. Consequently, the operator using the fixed link can indeed immediately recognize the association between treatment unit and patient, but not the association between peripheral device and treatment unit.

p0007When a plurality of treatment units and peripheral devices are operated together in one treatment room, it is necessary to assign a patient in each case a treatment unit and a peripheral device and to connect from the respective peripheral device to the respective treatment unit.

p0008An incorrect assignment between the peripheral device and the treatment unit on the one hand and the peripheral device and the patient on the other hand can in extreme cases lead to life-threatening complications during treatment. This is particularly problematic especially when due to a wireless connection, the misallocation can not be detected immediately.

p0009When multiple devices are operated simultaneously communicating with each other, find in general so-called identification (ID) signals use, which can be detected, whether the signals of one or other satellites are received. The US 6,332,094 Bl, for example, describes a heart rate monitor, the wireless together with an identification signal transmits the pulse signals to a receiver.

p0010The WO 2004/056263 Al describes a method for the wireless transmission of signals between a plurality of peripheral devices and a plurality of treatment units. The treatment units are assigned to multiple recipients that receive the signals of the peripherals. The receiving readiness of the receiver for signals from the peripheral devices is produced in that the peripheral device logs on to the receiver. Only in a state of readiness to receive sets of receivers to the signals of the peripheral device, which are transmitted to the respective treatment unit. From US 6,870,475 B2 a charging station to charge the battery of a portable medical monitoring unit is known, which is used to monitor patient-specific data. The patient monitoring system provides a plurality of charging stations at different locations, in which the patient can use the monitoring unit to charge the battery. Patient-specific data of the portable monitoring units can be wirelessly transmitted to a central monitoring unit.

p0011The US 6,184,651 Bl and US 5,455,466 describe generally charging stations to charge the battery from electrical devices, wherein an inductive coupling between the electrical device and the charging station is carried out.

p0012The invention is based, to increase security and flexibility in the operation of at least two medical treatment units and peripheral devices the task.

p0013This object is inventively with the features of claims 1, 18 and 29. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

p0014The security and flexibility in the operation of a plurality of medical treatment units and peripheral devices is in the inventive arrangement increased because the operator confirmed by the assignment of a treatment unit to a patient and a peripheral device to a patient, the patient, the been assigned the peripheral device is, one patient is, has been associated with that processing unit which has been assigned to the peripheral. The peripheral device is enabled only under the condition that the correct assignment of the peripheral device and the patient has been confirmed. This excludes that, although associated with the correct peripheral device proper treatment unit, but that the treatment unit associated peripheral device is assigned to the wrong patient. The means for releasing the peripheral device may be configured such that the patient-specific data are only transferred to the treatment unit or received from the treatment unit or evaluated if the correct allocation of peripheral device and patient has been confirmed. The means for releasing the peripheral device, for example, also be designed such that the medical treatment unless it can be set in motion, as not the proper allocation of peripheral device and patient has been confirmed.

p0015In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the agents have to assign a peripheral to a treatment unit includes means for sending an address for identifying the peripheral device to the medical treatment unit and means for receiving the address for identification of the peripheral device of the treatment unit. For example, the address of a MAC address (Media Access Control) be used for unique identification of the peripheral device on the network.

p0016A further preferred embodiment provides that the means for allocating peripheral device and treatment unit having means for receiving a peripheral device and means for detecting a received in the means for receiving a peripheral device peripheral. The means for receiving a peripheral device can be clearly assigned to a treatment unit, this assignment can be detected immediately by the operator. For example, the means for receiving a peripheral device are arranged in close spatial proximity to the treatment unit or part of the treatment unit. The peripheral device of the treatment unit is then uniquely assigned when the peripheral device is in the means of the processing unit assigned to receive a peripheral device.

p0017The means for receiving a peripheral device may be designed differently. For example, the means for receiving a peripheral device may be a holding unit, in which the peripheral device is inserted. The peripheral device may be inserted loosely into the holding unit or secured in the receiving unit. Also, the means for identifying the peripheral device in the receiving unit can be designed differently. For example, the means for detecting the peripheral device may include mechanical contactor, which can be detected, whether the peripheral device is in the receiving unit. Alternatively, the means for detecting the peripheral device can grout via optical or inductive sensors.

p0018A particularly preferred embodiment which offers great benefits in practice, provides that the means for receiving a peripheral device having means for charging a battery to power the peripheral device. The Aufhahmeeinheiten can be designed as charging stations for the peripherals. This set the Aufhahmeeinheiten not only the allocation of peripheral device and treatment unit, but also the long-term operation of the peripherals safely.

p0019In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the peripheral device sends the address for identification to the treatment unit, if the peripheral device is recognized in the receiving unit. By inserting the peripheral device in the receiving unit thus is fully automatic identification of the peripheral. However, it is also possible that the peripheral device sends the ID address permanently and the treatment unit evaluates the identification address only after the detection of the peripheral device in the receiving unit.

p0020The successful assignment of the peripheral device and the patient indicates the peripheral device of the treatment unit, preferably in that the peripheral device sends a corresponding signal to the processing unit. To this end, the jointing means for checking the assignment of the peripheral device and the patient preferably has means for sending and receiving signals, in particular means for wireless transmission of signals, for example, a radio transmitter and a radio receiver. However, also other wireless transmission links, for example, an optical data transmission possible.

p0021On a successful assignment of the peripheral device and the patient is preferably closed when the peripheral device to monitor the patient-specific data Patient receives, which presupposes that the peripheral device is connected to the patient. But it is also possible to provide additional sensors that detect the position of the peripheral device, for example, contactor on the hoses and / or cables.

p0022The security can be further increased by the fact that the operator is prompted to assign to the patient within a predetermined time interval, the recording unit taken peripheral device which is associated with the treatment unit. A particularly preferred embodiment provides for the fact that the means for checking the assignment of the peripheral device and the patient with means for measuring the time after removal of the peripheral device from the interaction means for receiving the peripheral. Preferably, the agents act to check the allocation of peripheral device and patient together with means for indicating the remaining time in the specified time interval to inform the operator about how much time is left to connect the peripheral device to the patient.

p0023If the peripheral device should be assigned to the patient only after the predetermined time interval, the successful allocation of peripheral device and patient is not signaled to the treatment unit. The operator is thus forced, the peripheral device to reinsert into the receiving unit in order to make re-assigning device, treatment unit and patient in the predetermined time interval can. This prevents the recording unit removed peripheral device is carried around by the operator for an indefinite period, since in this case there is a particularly large risk of incorrect allocation of peripheral device and patient.

p0024The call after the predetermined time interval to insert the peripheral device again in the receiving unit, is preferably carried out with means for giving a visual and / or audible signal that the means for checking the allocation of peripheral device and patient preferably. The means for confirming the assignment of treatment unit, peripheral device and patient preferably have means for manual input, for example, switches, buttons, etc. The means for manual input can also be configured as sensors which operate without contact, for example, induction switch etc.

p0025The invention assumes that the allocation of treatment unit and patient involves a fixed link between the patient and the treatment unit, so that this association is unique to the operating personnel. In the event that this example is a blood treatment device in the medical treatment unit, the fixed association between treatment unit and patient is given by the blood tubing set so that confusions are excluded in practice.

p0026The peripheral devices can be designed differently and have different functions. For example, the peripheral devices include one or more sensors for detecting patient-specific data, for example for measuring physiological measures such as blood pressure or pulse etc..

p0027In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be explained referring to the drawings in detail.

p0028Show it:

p0029FIG. 1 A schematic diagram of a correct association between two

p0030Peripherals and treatment units for each patient,

p0031Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of Fig. 1, wherein the treatment unit of the respective associated peripheral devices are assigned to the wrong patient,

p0032Fig. 3 shows the essential components of a medical treatment unit and a peripheral device in a schematic representation, and FIGS. 4A and 4B is a waveform diagram describing the sequence of assignment of peripheral and treatment unit as well as patient.

p0033FIG. 1 shows two medical treatment units 1, 1 ', for example, extracorporeal blood treatment devices with an extracorporeal blood circuit. At each treatment unit 1, 1 'is 2, 2, a patient' connected. For the case of an extracorporeal blood treatment, the patient 2, 2 'with the blood treatment apparatus 1, 1' via a venous and arterial line 3, 4; 3 ', 4', respectively. Thus a fixed association between the patient and the treatment unit is made. In addition, the two patients 2, 2 'in each case a peripheral unit 5, 5', for example a blood pressure monitor is associated.

p0034The peripheral devices 5, 5 'monitor the body function of the patient, for example blood pressure or heart rate, and transmit the physiological data to the associated treatment unit to which the patient is connected.

p0035Fig. 1 shows the correct assignment of the peripheral device and the patient on the one hand and peripheral device and treatment unit on the other hand, while Fig. 2 shows an incorrect assignment of the peripheral device and peripheral device or patient and the treatment unit. If an incorrect assignment of the treatment unit 1 receives the data of the peripheral device 5 'of the patient 2' which is not connected to the treatment unit 1, but the treatment unit 1 '.

p0036The arrangement comprises at least two health care units and peripherals. In the following, the individual components of a treatment unit and a peripheral device, and the steps for assigning treatment unit, peripheral device and patient with reference to the Figures 3 and 4 A, 4B will be described.

p0037The peripheral device 5, for example, a blood pressure monitor, has various illustrated only schematically sensors 6 for monitoring the patient, for example, Sensors for measuring blood pressure or pulse. For bidirectional communication with the associated treatment unit 1, in particular a radio transmitter / receiver 7. grouted the peripheral device 5 via means 7 for transmitting and receiving signals, but the data transfer can only directional effected from the peripheral device to the treatment unit. The power supply of the peripheral device is a rechargeable battery 8 (battery).

p0038Furthermore, the peripheral device at 5 means 19 with which can confirm the operating personnel that the patient, the peripheral device has been assigned, one patient has been assigned to that treatment unit, which has been assigned to the peripheral device. These means are preferably means for manual input, in particular a pushbutton 19th

p0039The treatment unit 1, for example, a blood treatment apparatus with an extracorporeal blood circulation, has got different only schematically illustrated components 9 for the treatment of the patient 2, for example, a dialyzer, pumps etc. The patient 2 is firmly connected to the blood treatment apparatus 1, for example via a venous and arterial blood line 3, 4. Thus, a fixed association between the patient and the treatment unit is given.

p0040For communication with the associated peripheral equipment 5, the treatment unit 1 has means 10 for transmitting and receiving signals, in particular a radio transmitter / receiver 10 for bidirectional data transmission. The data transfer between peripheral device 5 and treatment unit 1 is thus by radio, with the required for this transmitter and receiver, as well as interfaces to those skilled generally known.

p0041Furthermore, the treatment unit 1 has an optical and / or acoustic alarm device 12 and a display unit thirteenth

p0042Each treatment unit 1 is a receiving unit 14 permanently assigned so that the operating personnel is immediately apparent that the receiving unit 14 to the Blood treatment unit 1 belongs. The receiving unit 14 is designed as a charging station. It comprises means 15 to the power line, for example, a power supply, with which the battery 8 of the peripheral device can be charged when the peripheral device is inserted in the receiving unit. The electrical connection between the power supply 15 and the battery 8 can be carried out via suitable connectors 11 or an inductive coupling.

p0043The peripheral device 5 and / or the receiving unit 14 equipped with means 16 for detecting whether a peripheral device is inserted in the receiving unit. These means can be, for example, electrical contactor, which are provided either on the peripheral device or the receiving unit or the charger.

p0044The function of the processing units and peripheral devices with reference to Figures 3 and 4 A, 4B will be described in detail.

p0045It is assumed that patients are connected to the processing unit 1, for example, extracorporeal blood treatment devices through the venous and arterial blood lines 3, 4, so that in each case a fixed allocation of patient and treatment unit which is immediately apparent to the operator. The operator now has the task to connect the belonging to the treatment unit peripheral to the respective patient.

p0046First, the respective peripheral device 5 is inserted into the receiving unit 14 which is assigned to the respective treatment unit 1. FIG. Thus the operator has allocated to the peripheral device of the treatment unit.

p0047The means 16 detect that the peripheral device is in the receiving unit 14th This signaled the means 16 with a status signal. While the peripheral device 5 is in the receiving unit 14, an electrical connection between the power supply unit 15 and the battery 8 is made so that the battery is charging. The treatment unit 1 asks continuously whether the status signal that the peripheral device is in the receiving unit, has been generated. If this is the case, sends the radio transmitter / receiver 7 of the peripheral device 5 an address for identification of the peripheral device, for example a MAC-address to the treatment unit 1, which receives the MAC address with the radio transmitter / receiver 10th Thus, the treatment unit 1 has identified the peripheral device. 5

p0048For the identification of peripheral devices by exchanging the MAC addresses, see the signals preferably transmitting / receiving means with a relatively short range use in the case of wireless transmission. If the range of the transmitting / receiving means is no greater than the distance between the peripheral device and the treatment unit with the associated receiving unit, it can be ensured that the peripheral device communicates only with the "own charger". For this purpose, the transmission means can also limit the range itself. however, it may be on the other hand also provided separate transmit-receive means for the transmission of patient-specific signals on the one hand and the MAC addresses for identifying the peripheral devices. for example, for the identification and transmission / reception means for inductive data transmission possible, the part of a provided in the charging cradle inductive battery charger is.

p0049After the identification of the peripheral device, the operator must assign the identified peripheral device 5 to the patient, which is connected to the treatment unit 1, which has identified the peripheral device. To this end, the operator must take the peripheral device from the receiving unit.

p0050It is continuously monitored whether the peripheral device is still in the recording unit. If the operator accepts the peripheral device from the receiving unit, this is detected by the means 16 immediately, generating a status signal that the operator has taken the peripheral device of the receiving unit. This status signal is sent to the treatment unit that receives the status signal. With the reception of the status signal for the removal of the peripheral device from the receiving unit sets the processing unit means (timer) 18 for measuring the time in gear that has elapsed after collection of the peripheral device.

p0051Operators must now connect the peripheral device to the patient within a predetermined time interval. The time remaining in the predetermined time interval is displayed on a display unit 13 of treatment unit 1 to the operating personnel.

p0052If the operator has attached the peripheral device to the patient and the peripheral device has turned on will receive the sensors 6 of the peripheral physiological measurements, such as blood pressure and pulse of the patient. The signals received from the sensors 6 values ​​from means 20 for checking the assignment of a peripheral device to a patient. This event signal the means 20 of the peripheral device 5 of the treatment unit 1 in that the peripheral unit a status signal for a successful assignment of the peripheral device to the patient transmits to the treatment unit.

p0053The treatment unit continuously checks whether the status signal is received for the successful allocation of peripheral device and patient during the specified time interval. If the predetermined time interval has elapsed before receiving the status signal for the successful allocation of peripheral device and patient's treatment unit with the alarm device 12, a visual and / or audible alarm signal, with which the operator is prompted to insert the peripheral device again in the receiving unit. Simultaneously or alternatively, an appropriate display also take place on the display unit thirteenth Then, the above-described routine begins anew.

p0054However, if the status signal for the successful allocation of peripheral device and patient received 13 (display) of the treatment unit appears on the display unit an indication which prompts the operator, the confirmation button to push 19th The treatment unit waits until the button is pressed 19th The operator now has to check whether the patient 2, the peripheral device 5 has been connected, one patient is when the treatment unit 1 is connected, which has been assigned to the peripheral device through the Aufiiahmeeinheit 14th If this is the case, the operator pushes the confirmation button 19, which is provided on the peripheral device. Then a status signal for the acknowledgment by the operator is sent to the treatment unit that receives the status signal.

p0055But it is also possible that the confirmation button is at the treatment unit. Then it is not necessary to transmit the status signal for the confirmation of the assignment of the peripheral device and the patient to the treatment unit.

p0056The treatment unit 1 checks now whether within the predetermined time interval, the operator has confirmed the correct allocation of peripheral device and patient by pressing the 19th

p0057The treatment unit 1 has means 17, with which the peripheral device is released. Just in case that the confirmation button 19 has been pressed within the predetermined time interval, with the means 17, the peripheral device freely, so that the patient-specific data from the peripheral device to the treatment unit with the radio transmitter / receivers 7, 10 are transmitted. To give the means 17 and the treatment dates. The treatment program can now be started.

p0058The means described above can separate assemblies form, in practice, the means are, however, part of a microprocessor which is provided in the processing unit and peripherals in general anyway.

p0059In the embodiment described with reference to the figures individual means are each respectively associated with the blood treatment units and single agents peripherals. The agents that are associated with the blood treatment units, but can also be assigned to the peripherals. For example, the means of confirming the association of patient and treatment unit can not the peripheral device, but can be provided at the treatment unit. The means for giving an audible and / or visual alarm can be provided in place at the treatment unit to the peripheral device.

p0060Although the figures show an array of peripherals and treatment units, is apparent from the description that the peripherals and the treatment units are independent devices that have the described assemblies.