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

0001The invention relates to an arrangement comprising at least two blood treatment devices and at least two peripheral devices, wherein a medical blood treatment device of the at least two blood treatment devices and a peripheral device of the at least two peripheral devices is to be assigned to a patient and the peripheral device to be assigned to the patient to be assigned to the blood treatment device.

0002In medical technology, different treatment units are used for the treatment of the patient, to which the patients or the patients are connected to the patient. The connection between patient and machine generally takes place via hoses and / or lines. The known treatment units include, for example, dialysis machines with an extracorporeal blood circulation.

0003It is known to operate medical treatment units together with one or more peripheral devices. Such satellites are used, for example, to monitor the patient during the treatment, the determined patient-specific data being transmitted to the treatment center.

0004During dialysis, for example, physiological data of the dialysis patient are recorded with different sensors. The aim is that the connection between the patient and the dialysis machine and the peripheral device consists only of the required blood tubes of extracorporeal blood circulation and as few other lines.

0005While there is a fixed connection between the treatment unit and the patient via the tubes, the data transmission between the peripheral device and the treatment unit can be wireless, for example by radio or light signals. As a result, the operator can immediately recognize the association between the treatment center and the patient on the basis of the fixed connection, but not the assignment between the peripheral device and the treatment center.

0006When a plurality of treatment units and peripheral devices are operated together in a treatment room, it is necessary to associate a treatment unit and a peripheral device with a patient and to establish a connection from the respective peripheral device to the respective treatment center.

0007An incorrect association 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 the treatment. This is especially problematic when due to a wireless connection, the wrong assignment can not be detected immediately.

0008When multiple devices are operated simultaneously that communicate with each other, so-called identification (ID) signals are generally used to detect whether the signals of one or the other satellite are being received. The<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US6332094B1"><text>US 6,332,094 B1</text></patcit> for example, describes a heart rate monitor wirelessly transmits the pulse signals together with an identification signal to a receiver.

0009The <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="WO2004056263A1"><text>WO 2004/056263 A1</text></patcit> describes a method for wireless transmission of signals between multiple peripheral devices and multiple treatment units. The treatment units are assigned a plurality of receivers which receive the signals of the peripheral devices. The reception readiness of the receiver for signals of the peripheral devices is established by the fact that the peripheral device logs on to the receiver. Only in the state of readiness for reception does the receiver convert the signals of the peripheral device which are transmitted to the respective treatment unit.

0010From the <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US6870475B2"><text>US 6,870,475 B2</text></patcit> a charging station for charging the battery of a portable medical monitoring unit is known, which serves to monitor patient-specific data. The patient monitoring system provides a plurality of charging stations in different locations where the patient can use the monitoring unit to charge the battery. Patient-specific data of the portable monitoring units can be transmitted wirelessly to a central monitoring unit.

0011The <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US6184651B1"><text>US 6,184,651 B1</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US5455466A"><text>US 5,455,466</text></patcit> generally describe charging stations for charging the battery of electrical equipment, wherein an inductive coupling between the electrical device and the charging station takes place.

0012The <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US2006025663A1"><text>US 2006/025663 A1</text></patcit> describes a monitoring system for monitoring the blood sugar level of a patient. The monitoring system has a blood glucose sensor, a user interface and a patient monitor. The user interface has input and output units that allow communication with the blood glucose sensor. The patient monitor, which can communicate with the user interface, serves to monitor the patient at the treatment station in the clinic. In the<patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="US2006025663A1"><text>US 2006/025663 A1</text></patcit> An arrangement of multiple monitoring systems located on the station will be described. The communication between the devices can be wireless. The sensors, user interfaces and patient monitors are each associated with identification codes or user names (IDs), so that a connection can only be established between the associated devices.

0013The invention has for its object to increase the safety and flexibility in the operation of at least two blood treatment devices and peripherals.

0014The solution of this object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

0015The safety and flexibility in operation of a plurality of medical blood treatment devices and peripheral devices is increased in the inventive arrangement by the operator confirming that the patient to whom the peripheral device has been assigned after assigning a blood treatment device to a patient and a peripheral device to a patient is the patient to whom the blood treatment device has been assigned to which the peripheral device has been assigned. The peripheral device is released only on the condition that the correct assignment of the peripheral device and the patient has been confirmed. This excludes that, while the correct peripheral device is assigned to the correct blood treatment device,

0016The means for releasing the peripheral device may be configured such that the patient-specific data is only transmitted to the blood treatment device or received or evaluated by the blood treatment device when the correct assignment of the peripheral device and the patient has been confirmed. The means for releasing the peripheral device may, for example, also be designed in such a way that the medical treatment can not be started as long as the correct assignment of the peripheral device and the patient has not been confirmed.

0017In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for assigning a peripheral device to a blood treatment device comprises means for sending an address for identifying the peripheral device to the blood treatment device and means for receiving the address for identifying the peripheral device from the blood treatment device. For example, the address may be a MAC address (Media Access Control), which serves to uniquely identify the peripheral device in the network.

0018A further preferred embodiment provides that the means for allocating the peripheral device and the blood treatment device have means for receiving a peripheral device and means for detecting a peripheral device accommodated in the means for receiving a peripheral device. The means for receiving a peripheral device can be clearly assigned to a blood treatment device, this assignment can be recognized immediately by the operator. For example, the means for receiving a peripheral device are arranged in close spatial proximity to the blood treatment device or part of the blood treatment device. The peripheral device is then uniquely associated with the blood treatment device,

0019The means for receiving a peripheral device can be designed differently. For example, the means for receiving a peripheral device may be a receiving unit into which the peripheral device is inserted. The peripheral device may be loosely inserted into the receiving unit or secured in the receiving unit. The means for detecting the peripheral device in the receiving unit can also be designed differently. For example, the means for detecting the peripheral device may have mechanical contactors, with which it can be detected whether the peripheral device is located in the receiving unit. Alternatively, the means for detecting the peripheral device may have optical or inductive sensors.

0020A particularly preferred embodiment, which offers great advantages in practice, provides that the means for receiving a peripheral device have means for charging a battery for powering the peripheral device. The receiving units can be designed as charging stations for the peripheral devices. As a result, the recording units ensure not only the allocation of the peripheral device and the blood treatment device, but also the permanent operation of the peripheral devices.

0021In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the peripheral device sends the address for identification to the blood treatment device when the peripheral device has been recognized in the receiving unit. With the insertion of the peripheral device in the recording unit thus fully automatically identifies the peripheral device. But it is also possible that the peripheral device permanently transmits the identification address and the blood treatment device evaluates the identification address only after the detection of the peripheral device in the recording unit.

0022The successful assignment of the peripheral device and the patient signals the peripheral device of the blood treatment device in that the peripheral device sends a corresponding signal to the blood treatment device. For this purpose, the means for checking the assignment of the peripheral device and the patient have means for transmitting and receiving signals, in particular means for the wireless transmission of signals, for example a radio transmitter and a radio receiver. But there are also other wireless transmission links, such as an optical data transmission possible.

0023Successful assignment of the peripheral device and the patient is preferably concluded when the peripheral device receives patient-specific data for monitoring the patient, which implies that the peripheral device is attached to the patient. However, it is also possible to provide additional sensors which detect the position of the peripheral device, for example, contactors on the hoses and / or lines.

0024The security can be further increased by the fact that the operator is prompted within a predetermined time interval, the peripheral unit taken from the receiving unit, which is associated with the blood treatment device to assign the patient. A particularly preferred embodiment therefore provides that the means for checking the allocation of the peripheral device and the patient interact with means for measuring the time after removal of the peripheral device from the means for receiving the peripheral device. Preferably, the means for verifying the assignment of the peripheral device and the patient cooperate with means for displaying the remaining time in the predetermined time interval in order to signal to the operator how much time remains to connect the peripheral device to the patient.

0025If the peripheral device should not be assigned to the patient until after the predetermined time interval, the successful assignment of the peripheral device and the patient is not signaled to the blood treatment device. The operator is thus forced to insert the peripheral device back into the receiving unit in order to again make the assignment of peripheral device, blood treatment device and patient in the specified time interval can. This prevents the peripheral device removed from the receiving unit from being carried around by the operating personnel for an indefinite period, since in this case there is a particularly great risk of incorrect allocation of the peripheral device and the patient.

0026The request after expiration of the predetermined time interval to insert the peripheral device back into the recording unit, preferably takes place with means for giving an optical and / or acoustic signal, which preferably comprise the means for checking the assignment for peripheral device and patient.

0027The means for confirming the assignment of blood treatment device, peripheral device and patient preferably have means for manual input, such as switches, buttons, etc. The means for manual input can also be designed as sensors that operate without contact, such as induction switches, etc.

0028The invention is based on the assumption that the allocation of the blood treatment apparatus and the patient presupposes a fixed connection of the patient and the blood treatment apparatus, so that this assignment is clear to the operating personnel. Since the treatment unit is a blood treatment device, the fixed allocation of the blood treatment device and the patient through the blood tube system is given, so that confusion in practice is excluded.

0029The peripherals can be designed differently and have different functions. By way of example, the peripheral devices may have one or more sensors for acquiring patient-specific data, for example for measuring physiological measured values, such as blood pressure or pulse, etc.

0030Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

0031Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>A schematic representation of a correct association between two peripheral devices and blood treatment devices to the respective patient,</dd><dt>Fig. 2</dt><dd>the arrangement of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>wherein the peripheral devices associated with the respective blood treatment device have been assigned to the wrong patient,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>the essential components of a blood treatment device and a peripheral device in a schematic representation and</dd><dt>Figs. 4A and 4B</dt><dd>a history diagram describing the process of assignment of peripheral device and blood treatment devices and patient.</dd></dl>

0032<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows two medical treatment units 1, 1 ', which are extracorporeal blood treatment devices with extracorporeal blood circulation. At each blood treatment device 1, 1 ', a patient 2, 2' is connected. In the case of an extracorporeal blood treatment, the patient 2, 2 'with the blood treatment device 1, 1' via a venous and arterial tubing 3, 4; 3 ', 4' connected. Thus, a firm association between the patient and the blood treatment device is made. In addition, the two patients 2, 2 'are each assigned a peripheral device 5, 5', for example a blood pressure monitor.

0033The peripheral devices 5, 5 'monitor the body function of the patient, such as the blood pressure or pulse, and transmit the physiological data to the associated blood treatment device to which the patient is connected.

0034<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows the correct assignment of peripheral device and patient on the one hand and peripheral device and blood treatment device on the other hand during <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 2</figref> shows an incorrect assignment of peripheral device and patient or peripheral device and blood treatment device. If mistakenly assigned, the blood treatment device 1 receives the data of the peripheral device 5 'of the patient 2' not connected to the blood treatment device 1 but to the blood treatment device 1 '.

0035The arrangement according to the invention comprises at least two blood treatment devices and peripheral devices. Hereinafter, the individual components of a blood treatment device and a peripheral device and the individual steps for the allocation of blood treatment device, peripheral device and patient with reference to the<figref idref="f0002">Figures 3</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">4A</figref>. <figref idref="f0004">4B</figref> described.

0036The peripheral device 5, for example a blood pressure monitor, has various sensors 6 shown only schematically for monitoring the patient, for example sensors for measuring the blood pressure or pulse. For bidirectional communication with the associated blood treatment device 1, the peripheral device 5 has means 7 for transmitting and receiving signals, in particular a radio transmitter / receiver 7. The data transmission can also be carried out only directionally from the peripheral device to the blood treatment device. The power supply of the peripheral device is a rechargeable battery 8 (battery).

0037Furthermore, the peripheral device 5 has means 19 with which the operator can confirm that the patient to whom the peripheral device has been assigned is the patient to whom the blood treatment device to which the peripheral device has been assigned has been assigned. These means are preferably means for manual input, in particular a push-button 19.

0038The blood treatment device 1 with an extracorporeal blood circulation has various components 9, shown only schematically, for treating the patient 2, for example a dialyzer, pumps etc. The patient 2 is firmly connected to the blood treatment device 1, for example via a venous and arterial blood line 3, 4. This gives a firm association between the patient and the blood treatment device.

0039For communication with the associated peripheral device 5, the blood treatment device 1 has means 10 for transmitting and receiving signals, in particular a radio transmitter / receiver 10 for bidirectional data transmission. The data transmission between the peripheral device 5 and the blood treatment device 1 thus takes place by radio, the transmitters and receivers and interfaces required for this purpose being generally known to the person skilled in the art.

0040In addition, the blood treatment apparatus 1 has an optical and / or acoustic alarm transmitter 12 and a display unit 13.

0041Each blood treatment device 1 is permanently assigned a receiving unit 14, so that it is immediately recognizable to the operating personnel that the receiving unit 14 belongs to the blood treatment device 1. The receiving unit 14 is designed as a charging station. It has means 15 for the power supply, for example, a power supply with which the battery 8 of the peripheral device can be loaded when the peripheral device is inserted into the receiving unit. The electrical connection between the power supply 15 and the battery 8 can be made via suitable connectors 11 or an inductive coupling.

0042The peripheral device 5 and / or the recording unit 14 have means 16 for detecting whether a peripheral device is inserted in the receiving unit. These means may be, for example, electrical contactors provided on either the peripheral device or the receiving unit or on both devices.

0043Hereinafter, the function of the blood treatment devices and peripheral devices will be described with reference to FIGS <figref idref="f0002">Figures 3</figref> and FIGS. 4A, 4B are described in detail.

0044It is assumed that the patients are connected to the blood treatment devices 1 via the venous and arterial blood lines 3, 4, so that in each case a fixed assignment of patient and treatment unit is given, which is immediately apparent to the operating personnel. The operator now has the task to connect the belonging to the treatment unit peripheral device to the respective patient.

0045First, the respective peripheral device 5 is inserted into the receiving unit 14, which is associated with the respective blood treatment device 1. Thus, the operator has assigned the peripheral device to the blood treatment device.

0046The center 16 detects that the peripheral device is in the receiving unit 14. This signal 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 15 and the battery 8 is made, so that the battery is charged.

0047The blood treatment device 1 continuously inquires whether the status signal that the peripheral device is in the acquisition unit has been generated. If this is the case, the radio transceiver 7 of the peripheral device 5 sends an address for identifying the peripheral device, for example a MAC address to the blood treatment device 1, which receives the MAC address with the radio transceiver 10. Thus, the blood treatment device 1 has identified the peripheral device 5.

0048For the identification of the peripheral devices by exchanging the MAC addresses, in the case of a wireless transmission of the signals, it is preferable to use transceivers with a relatively short range. If the range of the transmitting / receiving means is not greater than the distance between the peripheral device and the blood treatment device with the associated recording unit, it can be ensured that the peripheral device only communicates with the "own charging tray". For this purpose, the transmission means can also limit the range itself. However, separate transmit-receive means for the transmission of the patient-specific signals on the one hand and the MAC addresses for identification of the peripheral devices on the other hand can also be provided.

0049After identifying the peripheral device, the operator must associate the identified peripheral device 5 with the patient who is connected to the blood treatment device 1 that identified the peripheral device. For this, the operating personnel must remove the peripheral device from the receiving unit.

0050It is continuously monitored whether the peripheral device is still in the recording unit. When the operator removes the peripheral device from the receiving unit, this is immediately detected by the means 16, which generate a status signal that the operator has removed the peripheral device of the receiving unit. This status signal is sent to the blood treatment device, which receives the status signal.

0051Upon receipt of the status signal for removal of the peripheral device from the acquisition unit, the blood treatment device initiates means (timer) 18 for measuring the time elapsed after removal of the peripheral device.

0052The operator now has to connect the peripheral device to the patient within a predetermined time interval. The remaining time in the predetermined time interval is displayed on a display unit 13 of the blood treatment apparatus 1 to the operating personnel.

0053When the operator has attached the peripheral device to the patient and has activated the peripheral device, the sensors 6 of the peripheral device receive the physiological measurement values, such as blood pressure and pulse of the patient. The signals received by the sensors 6 evaluate means 20 for verifying the assignment of a peripheral device to a patient. This event signals the means 20 of the peripheral device 5 of the blood treatment device 1 by the peripheral device sending to the blood treatment device a status signal for the successful assignment of the peripheral device to the patient.

0054The blood treatment device continuously checks whether the status signal for the successful assignment of peripheral device and patient during the predetermined time interval is received. If the predetermined time interval before the receipt of the status signal for the successful assignment of peripheral device and patient has expired, the blood treatment device with the alarm 12 gives an optical and / or audible alarm signal, which prompts the operator to insert the peripheral device again in the recording unit. At the same time or alternatively, a corresponding display can also be made on the display unit 13. Then the routine described above starts again.

0055However, if the status signal for the successful assignment of the peripheral device and the patient is received, a message appears on the display unit 13 (display) of the blood treatment device, which prompts the operator to press the confirmation button 19. The blood treatment device waits until the button 19 is pressed.

0056The operator now has to check whether the patient 2 to whom the peripheral device 5 has been connected is the patient to whom the blood treatment device 1 to which the peripheral device has been assigned by the receiving unit 14 is connected. If so, the operator presses the confirmation button 19 provided on the peripheral device. Then, a status signal for operator confirmation is sent to the blood treatment device, which receives the status signal.

0057But it is also possible that the confirmation button is located on the blood treatment device. Then, it is not necessary to send the status signal for confirming the assignment of the peripheral device and the patient to the blood treatment device.

0058The blood treatment device 1 now checks whether within the predetermined time interval the operator has confirmed the correct assignment of the peripheral device and the patient by pressing the button 19.

0059The blood treatment device 1 has means 17 with which the peripheral device is released. Only in the event that the confirmation button 19 has been pressed within the predetermined time interval, the means 17 release the peripheral device, so that the patient-specific data is transmitted from the peripheral device to the blood treatment device with the radio transceivers 7, 10. Thus, the funds 17 also release the treatment. The treatment program can now be started.

0060The means described above may form separate assemblies, but in practice the means are part of a microprocessor which is generally provided in the blood treatment devices and peripherals in general anyway.

0061In the embodiment described with reference to the figures, individual means are respectively associated with the blood treatment devices and individual means are respectively associated with the peripheral devices. However, the means associated with the blood treatment devices may also be associated with the peripheral devices. For example, the means for confirming the assignment of the patient and the blood treatment device may be provided not on the peripheral device but on the blood treatment device. Also, the means for giving an audible and / or visual alarm may be provided on the peripheral device instead of the blood treatment device.

0062Although the figures show an arrangement of peripheral devices and blood treatment devices, it is apparent from the description that the peripheral devices and the blood treatment devices are self-contained devices having the described assemblies.