Source: http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20100805ptan20100199015.php
Timestamp: 2013-06-20 09:02:37
Document Index: 444030118

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 132', 'art 132', 'art 132', 'art 132', 'art 132', 'art 132', 'art 132']

System And Method For Identifying Data Streams Associated With Medical Equipment 1 views for this patent on FreshPatents.comupdated 06/14/13
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System and method for identifying data streams associated with medical equipment Abstract: A system and method for uniquely identifying data streams associated with medical equipment are described. The system may be implemented in a variety of ways, including as a combination of a medical device, a data stream identifier, and a medical device identifier. The medical device generates a plurality of data streams. The data streams are uninterrupted transmissions of data from the medical device. The data streams include information regarding the operation of the medical device. The data stream identifier attaches a unique data tag to the data streams. The medical device identifier is configured to generate a medical device tag. The 10 medical device tag includes information to uniquely identify the medical device and is accessible from an external computer. The data stream identifier and the medical device identifier are secured to the medical device. ...
USPTO Applicaton #: #20100199015 - Class: 710306 (USPTO) - 08/05/10 - Class 710 The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20100199015, System and method for identifying data streams associated with medical equipment.
20100199015
12758869
7698156
10135180
60690-1135
FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a patient care system 100. In the embodiment, the patient care system 100 includes a pharmacy computer 104, a central computer system 108, and a treatment location 106. Medical equipment at the treatment location 106 includes a digital assistant 118, a medical treatment cart 132, and an infusion pump 120. The patient care system 100, the central computer system 108, and the treatment location 106 are linked by a network 102. In an embodiment, the pharmacy computer 104 can include a processing unit 104a, a keyboard 104b, a video display 104c, a printer 104d, a bar code reader 104e, and a mouse 104f. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the patient care system 100 can also include subsystems for hospital administration, nursing stations, a clinical information subsystem, a hospital information subsystem, an Admissions Discharge and Transfer (ADT) subsystem, a billing subsystem, and/or other subsystems typically included in patient care systems.
In an embodiment, the central system 108 includes a central servicing unit 108a, a database 108b, a video display 108c, a bar code reader 108e, other input/output components, and many other components known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The network 102 can include a cable communication system 110 portion and a wireless communication system portion. The cable communication system 110 can be, but is not limited to, an Ethernet cabling system, and a thin net system.
In an embodiment, the treatment location 106 includes the medical equipment and a treatment bed 106a. In FIG. 1, a clinician 116 and a patient 112 are shown in the treatment location 106. Medication 124 can be of a type administered to the patient 112 by using the infusion pump 120. Medication 124 can also be of a type administered without using an infusion pump. Infusion pump 120 can be, but is not limited to, the type that administers medication from an infusion bag or the type that administers medication through a syringe. Medication 124 can be stored in medication storage areas 132a of medical treatment cart 132. The clinician 116 uses a hand-held computer, such as digital assistant 118, while administering medication 124 to the patient 112.
The order can be entered in the pharmacy computer 104 via input/output devices such as the keyboard 104b, the mouse 104f, a touch screen display, the CPOE system and/or the medical treatment cart 132. Those having ordinary skill in the art are familiar with these and similar input/output devices. The processing unit 104a is able to transform a manually entered order into computer readable data. Devices such as the computerized prescribing order entry system can transform an order into computer readable data prior to introduction to the processing unit 104a. The operating parameters can then be printed in a bar code format by the printer 104d on a medication label 124a. The medication label 124a can then be affixed to a medication 124 container. The medication 124 container is then transported to the treatment location 106. The medication 124 can then be administered to the patient 112 in a variety of ways known in the art including orally and through an infusion pump 120. If the medication 124 is administered orally, the clinician 116 can communicate via the digital assistant 118 and/or the medical treatment cart 132. Medical treatment cart 132 is computerized and generally has a keyboard (not shown), a display 132b, and other input/output devices such as a bar code scanner (not shown). It is also possible, if desired, to enter the order at the treatment location 106 using the digital assistant 118, medical treatment cart 132, and/or input devices associated with the infusion pump 120.
As indicated previously, at the treatment location the medication 124 can be mounted on the infusion pump 120 wherein an intravenous (IV) line 130 is run from the infusion pump 120 to the patient 112. The infusion pump 120 can include a pumping unit 120a, a keypad 120b, a display 120c, an infusion pump ID 120d, an antenna 120e (for Bluetooth, Wifi, or other radio technology transmission and/or reception) and a bar code reader 120f. The barcode reader 120f can be incorporated into the infusion pump 120 housing or may be connected via a communication cable. Infusion pumps not originally equipped with wireless capability can be provided with a wireless adaptor (not shown) for assisting in the identification of data streams. The wireless adaptor can use a short-range radio technology such as Bluetooth, a long-range radio technology such as Wifi, or other radio technology. Moreover, the wireless adaptor can have its own battery if necessary to avoid reducing the battery life of the host infusion pump, or the wireless adaptor can operate from power supplied by the infusion pump. In an embodiment, the wireless adaptor can also use intelligent data management such as, but not limited to, store and forward data management and data compression to minimize power consumption. The wireless adaptor can also include the ability to communicate with the digital assistant 118 even when the network 102 is not functioning.
The patient care system 100 can include a variety of identifiers such as, but not limited to, personnel, equipment, and medication identifiers. As shown in FIG. 1, the clinician 116 has a clinician badge 116a identifier, the patient 112 has a wristband 112a identifier, the medical device has an equipment identifier (For example, the infusion pump 120 can have an infusion pump ID 120d identifier), and the medication 124 has a medication label 124a identifier. Clinician badge 116a, wristband 112a, infusion pump ID 120d, and medication label 124a include information to identify the personnel, equipment, and medication they are associated with. If desired, the identifiers can also have additional information. For example, the medication label 124a can include information regarding the intended recipient of the medication 124, operating parameters for infusion pump 120, and information regarding the lot number and expiration of medication 124. The information included in the identifiers can be printed, but is preferably in a device readable format such as, but not limited to, an optical readable device format such as a bar code, a radio frequency (RF) device readable format such as an RFID, an iButton, a smart card, and a laser readable format. The digital assistant 118 can include a display 118a and can have the ability to read the identifiers including biometric information such as a fingerprint.
Infusion pump 120 can include an equipment ID, such as infusion pump ID 120d, and a bar code reader 120f and a communication port 120g. Infusion pump ID 120d can be a bar code label. The communication port 120g can be a conventional communication port, such as but not limited to, a serial communication port, a RS232, a RS485, and other communication ports known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
The data stream identifier 204 can be incorporated into a Dallas Semiconductor DS 2505-UNW or the like. When a DS 2505-UNW is employed as the data stream identifier 204, the data stream identifier 204 can connect to pin 9 of a connector 210 such as the DB9 connector. The identifying data can be stored in memory elements, such as but not limited to, ROM elements, EEPROM memory elements, OTP EPROM memory elements, and NV SRAM memory elements. If the data stream identifier is connected to pin 9, the other 8 pins of the DB9 connector are free to pass the data stream from the serial port 120g to the cable communication path 140.
The medical device identifier 206 includes a programmable memory element that may be programmed to store data to identify the medical device. The stored data can include, but is not limited to, the information stored on the infusion pump ID 120d, the type of medical device, the baud rate, the service dates, and asset tags. Asset tags are inventory tags that uniquely identify the device they are associated with such as a serial number or other assigned identifier. Preferably, the memory element can be a one-time programmable memory element such as, but not limited to, an EEPROM memory element and an OTP EPROM memory element. The data stored on the memory element can be the data that the data stream identifier 204 attaches to the data streams in order to identify the data streams. In other embodiments, the data stored on the memory element can be provided upon an inquiry from the network 102. When a DS 2505- UNW and a DB9 connector are employed, the data stored on the memory element can be passed to the cable communication path 140 via pin 9 of the DB9.
In a wireless data stream identification system, bridge 142 may interface with a wireless network access point such as transceiver 114. If bridge 142 is configured to interface with a wireless network access point, then bridge 142 can be mounted on the medical device and operably connected to antenna 120e so that the medical device is portable throughout the patient care system 100. Bridge 142 can be a device, such as but not limited to, a Serial Client Bridge by Symbol Technologies, Inc., a CT WLAN Serial Client Bridge by CyberTEC GmbH, a Bluetooth device, a Wifi device, a combination or Bluetooth and Wifi, a Spectrum24® Serial Client Bridge, or the like.
The programming of the medical device identifier 206 with the attributes of any particular medical device can be accomplished using extendable markup language (XML) and UniqueWare. Using programming such as UniqueWare, the data stream identifier 204 and the medical device identifier 206 can be associated with the medical device by connecting the cabled communication path 140 to the connector 210. One pin of the connector 210 can then be used to communicate with the data stream identifier 204 and the medical device identifier 206. The information to be communicated to program the medical device identifier can be read using a bar code reader, such as bar code readers 108e and 104e and scanners 338 (FIG. 3), to read the bar code label of the medical equipment. Programming software, such as UniqueWare, will then download the medical device ID to the medical device identifier 206. This information can then be accessible to the data stream identifier 204. The Unique Ware can also create a table to associate a plurality of medical devices with a plurality of medical device identifiers.
In block 326, the patient care system 100 prints the medication label 124. The prescription can be printed remotely and will often be printed by the pharmacy printer 104d. After block 326, the patient care system goes to block 328. In block 328, the medication label 124a is attached to the medication 124. The pharmacist generally provides a visual verification 334 that the medication label 124a matches the first hard copy 318 of the prescription. FIG. 3 shows that a visual verification 334 is also associated with prescription authorization module 308. The medication 124 can then be transported from the pharmacy to the treatment location 106. A portable medical treatment cart 132 can be used for a portion of the route from the pharmacy to the treatment location 106.
The medication label 124a can include information for admixing. If not generated within patient care system 100, medication label 124a can be provided by a bulk medication supplier. If provided by a bulk medication supplier, the patient care system 100 has the capability of coordinating gathering the information from the medication label 124a. In addition, the patient care system 100 has the ability to add information, such as a patient identifier, to medication label 124a. The medication labeling module 328 places the medication label 124 on the medication 124. This can be accomplished manually. This can also be accomplished using an automatic prescription filling and packaging system (not shown). If an automatic filling and packaging system is used, medication labeling module 328 provides data for coordination of the labeling of the medication 124 to the filling and packaging system.
Clinician 116 generally identifies his/herself by scanning her badge 116a, identifies the patient 112 by scanning wristband 112a, identifies the medication 124 by scanning medication label 124a, and identifies the medical device 332, such as infusion pump 120, by scanning label 120d. The clinician 116 may also identify his/herself by providing a fingerprint and/or password. The medical device 332 may be a medical device capable of two-way communication with the medication management module 302. Alternatively, the medical device 332 may only be capable of providing information to the medication management module 302. Any communication from the medical device 332 will always be recognized as originating from the medical device 332 due to the data stream identification system. The data stream identification system assists the clinician 116 in administering and verifying the medical treatment. In one embodiment, the data stream identification system will generally result in the downloading of operating parameters to the medical device 332. The clinician 116 may generally provide a visual verification to confirm the third copy 322 and/or the MAR matches the labeled medication 124. Scanner 338 may be used to enter machine readable information from the third copy 322 to the wireless device 330 and the medical device 332.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplar embodiment 500 of the system for identifying data streams 410 of FIG. 4. The system for identifying data streams 500 is called in block 502. In block 504, the system 500 accesses information related to the identity of the clinician 116. A first source 506, such as digital assistant 118 may provide information related to the identity of the clinician 116. Digital assistant 118 may acquire the information by reading the clinician's badge 116a with a bar code reader First source 506 may also be another computer located at the remote location. First source 506 may be other sources of information such as, but not limited to, a bar code, such as a bar code included in clinician's badge 116a, a tag, laser readable data, radio-frequency readable data, a keyboard, an iButton reader, a fingerprint scanner, and a bar code reader that is not associated with digital assistant 118. Block 504 may include converting a signal generated by first source 506 to a computer readable medium format. Block 504 may also include using the information provided by first source 506 to match the information to the identity of the clinician 116 through the use of a look-up table stored in memory 404. After block 504, the system 500 goes to block 508.
In block 508, the system 500 identifies the patient 112. First source 506 may provide information related to the identity of the patient 112. Digital assistant 118 may acquire the information by reading the patient's wristband 112a with a bar code reader. Block 508 may include converting a signal generated by first source 506 to a computer readable medium format. Block 508 may also include using the information provided by first source 506 to match the information to the identity of the patient 112 through the use of a look-up table stored in memory 404 or any other matching process. After block 508, the system 500 goes to block 510.
In block 512, the system 500 determines whether the medical treatment has been previously associated with patient 112. The determination will often be made by the device that gathers data related to the identity of the patient and the medical treatment. For example, a clinician 116 may use the digital assistant 118 as the first source 506 to read a bar code from a patient's wristband 112a. The clinician 116 may then use the digital assistant 118 to read medication label 124a. The digital assistant 118 may then determine whether the patient identifier from the patient's wristband 112a is equivalent to the patient identifier from the medication label 124a. One manner of previously associating the medical treatment with the patient is to associate the patient and the medical treatment in the central system 108 and/or in the pharmacy system 104. A physician may make the association through a computerized prescription ordering system. A pharmacist may make the association by entering a patient identifier and a medication identifier in the pharmacy system 104 where the medication identifier includes the patient identifier. The patient identifier may be derived from input sources such as, but not limited to, admission records, orders, an electronic physician order entry system, and/or prescriptions.
In block 514, the system 500 identifies the medical device. The medical device is configured to be the type that delivers the medical treatment to the patient. For example, the medical device may be infusion pump 120 if the medical treatment is medication 124. First source 506 may provide information related to the identity of the medical device. Digital assistant 118 may acquire the information by reading label 120d with a bar code reader. Block 514 may include converting a signal generated by first source 506 to a computer readable medium format. Block 514 may also include using the information provided by first source 506 to match the information to the identity of the medical device through the use of a look-up table stored in memory 404 or other matching algorithm. The information related to the identity of the medical device may also be stored in the medical device identifier 206.
In block 518, the system for identifying data streams 500 determines whether the operating parameters are correct. The operating parameters are correct if they are consistent with a verified medical treatment. The system 500 may include the downloading of operating parameters to the medical device. The operating parameters may be downloaded from a variety of sources such as, but not limited to, pharmacy computer 104, medication label 124a, digital assistant 118, and the clinician 116 may manually enter the operating parameters. One check that may be performed is to confirm the dose is not outside of preset tolerances. The operating parameters may be parameters such as, but not limited to, a flow rate per unit of time, a quantity of medication, a dosing unit, a dosing duration, a dosing volume, a drug name, a dose unit, and a monitoring limit The dosing information may be provided directly or based on patient 112 attributes such as patient weight.
Downloading of operating parameters may include determining whether the patient identifier associated with the medical treatment and/or the patient identifier retrieved from the wristband 112a, is the same as the patient identifier associated with the medical treatment at the central location. The determination will often be made by the first computer, for example, the pharmacy computer 104a. If the system 500 determines the various patient identifiers are not the same the system may move to block 516. If the system 500 determines the various patient identifiers are the same, the system 500 may download the operating parameters directly to the medical device. The system 500 may send the operating parameters to a medical device such as infusion pump 120.
Various blocks of the system for identifying data streams 500, such as blocks 518 to 524, may include displaying treatment information on the digital assistant 118. This may include displaying information that mirrors the information on display 120c of infusion pump 120. The information on display 120c may be supplemented with information about the patient, the patient location, and the infusion order. This information may include information regarding multiple channels of infusion pump 120. The displayed information may include information such as, but not limited to, personality, prompt line, status line, operating icons and pump head display.
In another embodiment, the system 500 may include an additional block (not shown) where the central computer accepts a second medication identifier. The second medication identifier may be entered by the clinician 116 at the remote location. The second medication identifier may be a revised first medication identifier. For example, the second medication identifier may be part of the prescription or electronic physician order entry that is the source for the first patient ID and the operating parameters. The system 500 may then confirm the first and second medication IDs are equivalent prior to sending the operating parameters to the medical device. The second medication ID may be replaced by a revised first medication ID between the time the prescription is entered and the time the medication 124 arrives at the treatment location 106. The system 500 will then sound an alarm if second medication identifier is not equivalent to the first medication identifier that was included in the medication label 124a. In a further embodiment, the system 500 may include an additional block (not shown) where the operating parameter is used to program the medical device.
In one implementation of system 500, an order is entered in pharmacy computer 104. The order includes a first patient identifier and an operating parameter. The pharmacy computer 104 generates a medication label 124a that is affixed to medication 124. The medication 124 is sent to a treatment location 106. At treatment location 106, clinician 116 reads the clinician's badge 116a, patient's wristband 112a, and medication label 124a with a digital assistant 118. The digital assistant 118 determines whether medication label 124a and wristband 112a identify the same patient 112. The system 500 then sends the medication identifier to the pharmacy computer 104. The pharmacy computer 104 confirms the medication label 124a identifies the same patient as the order and sends the operating parameter to an infusion pump. The operating parameter may be sent directly to the infusion pump. The operating parameter is then used to program the infusion pump to administer the medication 124 to the patient 112. The system 500 enables the pump and then monitors the treatment. While monitoring the treatment, the communication from the pump includes accessing information related to the identity of the medical device and processing data streams from the pump that are identified by a unique data tag. Accessing information related to the identity of the medical device includes generating a unique medical device tag. Accessing information related to the identity of the medical device also includes generating a unique data, tag using a data stream identifier 204 and attaching the unique data tag to data streams generated by the medical device.
a bridge configured to attach the unique data tag to the data stream, the bridge configured to provide the medical device tag to an external computer.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the medical device is an infusion pump,
a data stream identifier positioned in the housing and configured to generate an identifier output that is attached to the medical treatment information.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the data output has a radio frequency (“RF”) output. Download full PDF for full patent description/claims.You can also Monitor Keywords and Search for tracking patents relating to this System and method for identifying data streams associated with medical equipment patent application.Patent Applications in related categories: 20130151746 - Electronic device with general purpose input output expander and signal detection method - An electronic device includes a general purpose input output (GPIO) expander and a baseboard management controller (BMC). The GPIO expander includes a number of GPIO interfaces and a gathering interface connected to the GPIO interfaces. The BMC includes a public interface and a scanning interface connected to the gathering interface. ...
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