Patent Publication Number: US-2023148345-A1

Title: Low-power signaling for medical devices and medical device personnel

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/502,952 (filed 3 Jul. 2019), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/854,954 (filed 27 Dec. 2017), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/076,085 (filed 21 Mar. 2016), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/137,753 (filed 24 Mar. 2015). The entire disclosure of each of these priority applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for determining the location of one or more medical devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for determining a presence or location of multiple medical devices, and presenting the information regarding the presence of the medical devices on a user interface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Medical devices used in emergency medical service (EMS) applications or emergency response situations, for example, defibrillators, are typically complex and expensive. The presence and/or locations of such devices are typically tracked and inventoried manually (for example, verbally or via an electronic log). Thus, it may be cumbersome to efficiently track and locate medical devices in certain situations, such as mass casualty situations. 
     Further, medical devices can include wireless data transceivers to transmit medical information for storage in a remote medical database. However, some designs lack relatively long-range communication components (such as cellular or Wi-Fi transceivers) and in some situations, such as mass casualty situations, relatively long-range communication methods may be unavailable. In these cases, some medical devices may turn to relatively short-range, device-to-device communication methods (such as near-field communications (NFC), Bluetooth, and the like) to transmit information. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system according to embodiments of the present disclosure including at least one medical device having a device transceiver configured to wirelessly broadcast a device signal including at least unique identifier data; and an information system comprising a system transceiver, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one database, wherein the information system is configured to maintain an active list of medical device inventory associated with a particular emergency response vehicle, and the processor is configured to automatically determine presence of the at least one medical device in response to the system transceiver receiving the device signal, and provide an indication on the at least one display device if the at least one medical device is present. 
     A system according to embodiments of the present disclosure including at least one medical device having a device transceiver configured to wirelessly broadcast a device signal including at least unique identifier data; and an information system comprising a system transceiver, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one database, wherein the information system is configured to maintain an active list of medical device inventory associated with a particular emergency response vehicle, and the processor is configured to automatically determine presence of the at least one medical device in response to the system transceiver receiving the device signal, measure a signal strength of the device signal and determine whether the at least one medical device is in one of at least three location-based conditions in response thereto, and provide an indication on the at least one display device if the at least one medical device is present and the location-based condition of the at least one medical device. 
     A system according to embodiments of the present disclosure including at least one medical device having a device transceiver configured to wirelessly broadcast a device signal including at least unique identifier data; and an information system comprising a system transceiver, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one database, wherein the information system is configured to maintain an active list of medical devices associated with a particular emergency response situation, and the processor is configured to automatically determine presence of the at least one medical device in response to the system transceiver receiving the device signal, and provide an indication on the at least one display device if the at least one medical device is present. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a system for determining the presence of one or more medical devices, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an example communication and detection of a transceiver carried with a medical device or by a medical device personnel, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an example communication between an information system and a networked computer, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a system  100  for determining the presence of one or more medical devices  102 . The medical devices  102  can be used in connection with a particular emergency response vehicle or a particular emergency response situation. The medical devices  102  wirelessly transmit and communicate data using, for example, low-power Bluetooth, near-field communications (NFC), Wi-Fi, cellular, ZigBee radio, and the like, to an information system  108  (e.g., hand-held device, tablet, smart phone, laptop computer, desktop computer) via a system transceiver  106 . The medical devices  102  can receive signals from one or more sensors or electrodes  114  coupled to the patient  116 . In some embodiments, a processor  118  uses such signals to monitor, detect, and/or derive or calculate various patient conditions. For example, the processor  118  may monitor, detect, and/or derive or calculate heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, blood oxygen level, end-tidal carbon dioxide level, pulmonary function, blood glucose level, and/or weight. In some embodiments, the medical device  102  includes a display  120  for presenting data associated with one or more of the above medical parameters. For example, the display  120  may present an electrocardiograph (ECG). 
     The medical devices  102  may be, for example, defibrillators (such as ZOLL® X-Series® or E-Series® devices), automatic external defibrillators (AEDs, such as ZOLL® AED Pro® devices), wearable cardioverter defibrillators (such as ZOLL® LifeVest® devices), combinations thereof, and the like. Some of the medical devices  102  may be assigned to patients (that is, currently connected to patients and gathering data), and some of the medical devices  102  may be unassigned (that is, currently disconnected from patients and not gathering data). For simplicity, the following paragraphs only provide the details for one assigned medical device  102 . It is to be understood, however, that in some embodiments similar details apply to each of the different types of devices  102 . 
     The medical device  102  receives signals from one or more sensors or electrodes  114  coupled to the patient  116 . In some embodiments, a processor  118  uses such signals to monitor, detect, and/or derive or calculate various patient conditions. For example, the processor  118  may monitor, detect, and/or derive or calculate heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, blood oxygen level, end-tidal carbon dioxide level, pulmonary function, blood glucose level, and/or weight. In some embodiments, the medical device  102  includes a display  120  for presenting data associated with one or more of the above medical parameters. For example, the display  120  may present an electrocardiograph (ECG). 
     A transceiver  124  is provided with each of the medical devices  102  to wirelessly transmit and communicate a device signal that includes the above noted data. The transceiver  124  can be provided integrally with the medical devices  102 , or the transceiver  124  may be removable. The device signal can include a short message having a universally unique identified (UUID), that is associated with a given one of the medical devices  102 , a Major Identifier, Minor Indenter and/or data indicative of a power (signal strength) calibration value. The calibration value is a stored value that indicates specific distances the transceiver  124  is away from the information system  108  based on the power or signal strength. This calibration value can be provided by measuring various distances (one foot, two feet, three feet) the transceiver  124  is away from the information system  108 , noting the power or signal strength at those points, and storing the association between the power or signal strength value and the various distances. In this manner, the spatial location of the transceiver  124  can be determined with respect to its distance from the information system  108 . The transceiver  124 , when associated with the medical devices  102 , is referred to as a device transceiver. Further, in embodiments where the transceiver  124  is provided as part of a device, the processor of the medical device  102  is configured to wirelessly broadcast the device signal on a regular basis. The device signal can also include stored device information (for example, the device&#39;s type, model number, serial number, device capabilities, assigned setting, such as an ambulance or hospital, and the like) and/or associated patient information (that is, information about the patient  116  to which the medical device  102  is assigned) to the information system  108  via the system transceiver  106 . Such patient information may include, for example, the patient&#39;s name, age, weight, height, medical history, past and/or real-time medical data obtained by the medical device  102 , and the like. In some embodiments, the system  100  may use the ZOLL® RescueNet® Link system to transmit medical data obtained by the medical devices  102  to the information system  108 . 
     The UUID can be a 16 byte string used to differentiate a large group of related medical devices  102 . For example, all Automatic External Defibrillators from the same manufacturer would use the same UUID. This allows the information system  108  identify the medical devices  102  used to identify AED&#39;s. The major identifier can be a 2 byte string used to distinguish a subset of medical devices  102  within the larger group. The minor identifier can be a 2 byte string meant to identify an individual medical device  102 . The data indicative of a power can be used to determine a proximity (distance) the medical device  102  is from the information system  108 . The data indicative of power is defined as the strength of the signal a known distance (for example, a meter, two meters, or three meters) between the medical device  102  and the information system  108 . This value is recorded, and the information system  108  uses this power as a baseline to give a rough distance estimate. 
     In certain embodiments, as discussed in further detail below, a transceiver  124 , consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure, can be provided with a medical device personnel  112  (or crew member) and wirelessly broadcast a crew signal to the information system  108 . In these embodiments, the transceiver  124  may be a standalone device, or can be provided as part of, for example, a smart watch, smart phone, or tablet that is carried by or on the medical device personnel  112 . Further, in embodiments where the transceiver  124  is provided as part of a device, the device&#39;s processor is configured to wirelessly broadcast the crew signal on a regular basis. In instances where the transceiver  124  is provided as a standalone device, the standalone device also includes a processor that is configured to wirelessly broadcast the crew signal on a regular basis. Similar to the medical devices  102 , the transceiver  124  provided with the medical device personnel  112  carries the crew signal with a short message having a universally unique identified (UUID), that is associated with the medical device personnel  112 , a Major Identifier, Minor Indenter and/or data indicative of a power (signal strength) calibration value. The calibration value is a stored value that indicates specific distances the transceiver  124  is away from the information system  108  based on the power or signal strength. This calibration value can be provided by measuring various distances (one foot, two feet, three feet) the transceiver  124  is away from the information system  108 , noting the power or signal strength at those points, and storing the association between the power or signal strength value and the various distances. In this manner, the spatial location of the transceiver  124  can be determined with respect to its distance from the information system  108 . The transceiver  124 , when associated with the medical device personnel  112 , is referred to as a mobile transceiver. 
     A database  126  in communication with the information system  108  stores device information (for example, device types, model numbers, serial numbers, device capabilities, assigned setting, and the like). More specifically, the database  126  stores information that includes an active list of medical device inventory associated with the particular emergency response vehicle or particular emergency response situation. The information system  108  associates the data wirelessly transmitted by one or more of the medical devices  102  with information about one or more of the medical devices  102  that is stored in the database  126 . Similarly, in some embodiments the database  126  (or another database) stores information about one or more medical device personnel  112 . The information system  108  associates the data wirelessly transmitted by the transceiver  124  associated with one or more medical device personnel  112  with information about one or more medical device personnel  112  that is stored in the database  126 . In addition, the database  126  can store data related to a storage capacity of an emergency response vehicle, and data indicative of a storage location of the active list of medical device inventory within the emergency response vehicle. 
     In response to the system transceiver  106  receiving the device signal (or crew signal), the information system  108  automatically determines the presence of the medical devices  102 . In certain embodiments, the information system  108  measures a signal strength of the device signal (or crew signal), and determines whether the associated medical device  102  is in one of at least three location-based conditions. In addition, the information system  108  provides an indication on the at least one display device  110  if the medical device  102  is present. In embodiments where the location-based condition is measured, the information system  108  also provides an indication of the location-based condition on the display device  110 . The data wirelessly transmitted from one of the medical devices  102  is unique to that device. Thus, the information system  108  is configured to automatically determine the presence of more than one of the medical devices  102  in response to receiving the associated the device signal. In these instances, the information system  108  provides an indication on the display device  110  if the information system  108  senses that the medical device  102  is present. In certain embodiments, the information system  108  is configured to scan for known transceivers  124 . In addition, if the transceiver  124  is sensed, the information system  108  logs the contact event in the database  126 . 
     As noted above, the information system  108  is configured to automatically determine the presence of more than one medical device  102  and/or more than one medical device personnel  112  based in response to the system transceiver  106  receiving an associated device signal or crew signal. In these instances, the information system  108  is configured to provide an indication on the at least one display device  110  if the one or more of the medical devices  102  and/or medical device personnel  112  are present. More specifically, the display device  110  displays data indicative of each medical devices  102  and/or each medical device personnel  112  if the information system  108  senses the associated device signal or crew signal. 
     The embodiments discussed herein may also be considered as methods as operated and/or executing by the system discussed consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an example communication and detection of a transceiver  202  carried with a medical device or by a medical device personnel, consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. As noted above in connection with  FIG.  1   , the transceiver  202  communicates a data signal ( 208 / 210 / 212 ) that is detected by an information system  204 . The information system  204  (system transceiver not shown) has a range  206  in which the data signal ( 208 / 210 / 212 ) is sensed. For instance, the data signal ( 208 / 210 / 212 ) is shown in three different strengths. The first strength  208  lies outside the range  206  of the information system  204 , the second strength  210  touches or is adjacent to the range  206  of the information system  204 , and the third signal strength  212  is within the range  206  of the information system  204 . In instances where the transceiver  202  communicates at the first strength  208 , the presence of the transceiver  202  (and its associated medical device or medical device personnel) will not be sensed by the information system  204  as the transceiver  202  is out of range  206  of the information system  204 . In instances where the transceiver  202  communicates at the second strength  210 , the presence of the transceiver  202  (and its associated medical device or medical device personnel) is sensed by the information system  204 , but the data/information carried by the transceiver  202  is not within the range  206  of the information system  204  such that the data/information can be read and/or stored by the information system  204 . In instances where the transceiver  202  communicates at the third strength  212 , the presence of the transceiver  202  (and its associated medical device or medical device personnel) is sensed by the information system  204 , and the data/information carried by the transceiver  202  can be read and/or stored by the information system  204 . 
     In response to the information system  204  sensing the presence of the transceiver  202  communicating at the third strength  212 , the data/information carried by the transceiver  202  can be read  214  by the information system  204  against a database stored therein. As noted above, the information system  204  can include a database that stores an active list of medical device inventory associated with an emergency response vehicle or emergency response situation. In other embodiments, the information system  204  can include a second database that stores an active list of medical device personnel associated with an emergency response vehicle or emergency response situation. The information system  204  also logs  216  that the data/information carried by the transceiver  202  has been read  214  by the information system  204 . This allows for the information system  204  to track which medical devices or medical device personnel are present. Further, the information system  204  also provides an alert on  218  (on a user interface) indicating presence of one or more medical devices and/or medical device personnel in response to sensing the presence of the transceiver  202  associated with one or more medical devices or medical device personnel. Further, the information system  108  can indicate, on the display  110 , the inventory information, which can be verified by a user (such as a crew member for the emergency response vehicle or emergency response situation), who can verify that all medical devices  102  are reloaded before leaving a scene. 
     In certain embodiments, based on sensing the relative strength of the data signal ( 208 / 210 / 212 ), such as the device signal or crew signal, broadcast by the transceiver  202 , the information system  204  can automatically determine a spatial location of the transceiver  202  and its associated medical device or medical device personnel. In addition, the information system  204  (via its processor) can provide an alert on a display device indicating that the associated medical device or medical device personnel is present. Further, the information system  204  provides an indication that the medical device or medical device personnel is missing in response to the data signal ( 208 / 210 / 212 ), such as the device signal or crew signal, being out of range of the information system  204 . 
     In certain embodiments, the information system  204  is configured to measure a signal strength of the data signal ( 208 / 210 / 212 ), such as a device signal or crew signal, as broadcast by the transceiver  202  and its associated medical device or medical device personnel. In these embodiments, the information system  204  determines whether the at least one medical device or medical device personnel is in one of at least three location-based conditions in response thereto. As noted above, the data signal ( 208 / 210 / 212 ) indicates whether the transceiver  202  lies outside the range  206  of the information system  204  (first strength  208 ), the transceiver touches or is adjacent to the range  206  of the information system  204  (second strength  210 ), or the transceiver  202  is within the range  206  of the information system  204  (third signal strength  212 ). In such an embodiment, the information system  204  provides an indication on its display device if the at least one medical device or medical device personnel is present, and the location-based condition of the at least one medical device or medical device personnel. The display can provide the location-based condition indicating as whether the transceiver  202  lies outside the range  206  of the information system  204  (first strength  208 ), the transceiver  202  is in a pairing condition (third signal strength  212 ), or whether the transceiver  202  can be sensed, but is not close enough to be paired (e.g., an intermediate condition). 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an example communication between an information system  302  and a networked computer  304 , consistent with various aspects of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the information system  302  is configured to communicate with one or medical devices and/or medical device beacons based on receiving low-power signals broadcast by a transceiver. The information system  302 , in certain embodiments, can also wirelessly communicate with the networked computer  304  in order to exchange data, or offload data for detailed computations. For instance, the information system  302  can include an internal database, as described above, and the networked computer  304  can also include a database. Each database can store data indicative of a storage capacity of an emergency response vehicle (or emergency response situation), and data indicative of a storage location of the active list of medical device inventory within the emergency response vehicle (or emergency response situation). 
     In certain embodiments, the information system  302  wirelessly communicates  306  a current active inventory list of medical devices or medical device personnel to the networked computer  304 . The networked computer  304  can, as prompted by the information system  302  or a user at the networked computer  304 , communicate  308  an updated inventory list of medical devices or medical device personnel to the information system  302 . The information system  302  will compare  310  the current active inventory list of medical devices or medical device personnel to the list transmitted by the networked computer  304 , and update the active list of inventory as necessary. The information system  302  can then communicate the changes in inventory back  312  to the networked computer  304 . Further, the networked computer  304  can communicate an acknowledgement  314  that the information system  302  has the correct inventory of medical devices or medical device personnel stored thereon. 
     In certain embodiments, the information system  302  and the networked computer  304  communicate via a cloud-based server  316 . In these embodiments, the cloud-based server  316  can also include a database that stores the communicated messages, and related inventory information. The cloud-based server  316  can enable communication  320  with at least one mobile device  318 . In addition, the cloud-based server  316  can enable communication with other devices or computers. Further, the cloud-based server  316  allows for communication of inventory information across multiple systems. For instance, medical devices may be part of the same inventory that is accessed by more than one information system  302 . As a result, the inventory can be tracked based on which information system  302  is useing a certain medical device. Further, more than one networked computer  304  may be provided. Each networked computer  304  may communicate with another networked computer  304  using peer-to-peer networking. 
     In certain embodiments, the networked computer  304  may monitor the information collected by the information system  302 , as described in detail above. In this manner, the networked computer  304  may communicate with another networked computer  304  and transfer monitoring responsibilities therebetween. 
     As noted above, in certain embodiments, the cloud-based server  316  can be accessed by at least one mobile device  318 . The mobile device  318  can include various mobile applications that interact with the information system  302 . For instance, the cloud-based server  316  can store the data collected by the information system  302 , and a mobile application run by the mobile device  318  queries the cloud-based server  316  with information regarding a specific medical device or medical device personnel (equipped with the above noted transceiver). In this manner, the mobile device  318  is able to confirm the location of the specific medical device or medical device personnel, the status of the specific medical device or medical device personnel, or other related information. Further, a user of the mobile device  318  can add a picture of the GPS location or inventory location of a medical device or medical device personnel, which can be communicated to the cloud-based server  316 . The cloud-based server  316  can then associate this picture data with the associated medical device or medical device personnel. Such location-based GPS information can also be associated, by the mobile device  318 , with other travel service applications (e.g. WAZE, GARMIN) or other beacon-type applications. 
     The mobile application provided with the mobile device  318  can incorporate other applications. For instance, the mobile application can provide CPR instruction, CPR compression depth and rate when possible if the networked medical device, communicating through the cloud-based server, includes the interactive capabilities (e.g., an AED equipped with CPR data capabilities). Further, the mobile application can automatically communicate with a medical device, to obtain treatment data. The mobile application can upload this data to the cloud-based server  316 , which can be relayed to an EMS service or medical device personnel. The mobile application can incorporate other modules to assess patient; e.g. use microphone to analyze heart sound or breathing sounds. 
     The cloud-based server  316  can also provide the mobile device  318  with access to the system via an installer mobile application that allows the mobile device  318  to be trusted/verified. The mobile device  318  can then receive information regarding various medical devices such as the device location model, manufacturer, battery type, service interval, contact information, and EMS contact information. The mobile application can also query the cloud-based server  316  in information mode and location information will be provided. Further, in an emergency response situation, a mobile application can query the cloud-based server  316  in emergency mode signaling a medical emergency. During a medical emergency the cloud-based server  316  can notify other mobile application users of the medical emergency and the need for a particular medical device (such as an AED). Responding mobile app users will be supplied with location and navigation information to retrieve the closest AED and transport it to the user making the request. More than one user can be notified to locate and transport an AED to the user reporting the medical emergency. 
     In certain embodiments, the cloud-based server  316  can notify a mobile application user of possible maintenance need and readiness check when a medical device is requested. When available server will periodically query the medical device via the cloud-based server  316  for readiness status and update records as needed. Thus, the cloud-based server  316  tracks possible need for medical device service. In this manner, when the medical device has been serviced, a user having the mobile application can update the cloud-based server  316 . Further, if a medical device is requested and closest medical device has outstanding service need associated with it, the cloud-based server  316  can provide alternate locations. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.