Abstract:
A measuring analyzer for analyzing physiological sensor data provided by sensors ( 4, 4 ′) with an analyzing unit ( 2 ), which generates measured data from the sensor data according to a mathematical relationship, with a display unit ( 3 ) for displaying the measured data, wherein an adaptation means ( 5 ) is provided, in which the sensor data are processed such that they are made available to the analyzing unit ( 2 ) in a form necessary for direct analysis.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2006 035 968.2 filed Aug. 2, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to a measuring analyzer for analyzing physiological sensor data provided by sensors with an analyzing unit, which generates measured data from the sensor data according to a mathematical relationship, with a display unit for displaying the measured data. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A measuring analyzer for analyzing physiological sensor data provided by sensors is known from DE 41 03 801 C2. The core temperature and the peripheral temperature of a patient are calculated there as measured data in the measuring analyzer and displayed in a display unit. The sensors necessary for the measurement of the temperature are connected directly to the measuring analyzer. 
         [0004]    A certain characteristic, by means of which the sensor data containing an electrical variable are converted into temperature values as measured data, is implemented in the measuring analyzer. The drawback of the prior-art measuring analyzer is that the analysis of the sensor data in the analyzing unit is in a fixed relationship with the sensors used. When sensors of another type or of another manufacturer are used, the function of the measuring analyzer is no longer ensured to the desired extent. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The object of the present invention is therefore to further perfect a measuring analyzer for analyzing sensor data provided by sensors such that the use of an existing analyzing unit is also guaranteed for sensors of different types, but which are intended for the same measured variable, in a simple manner. 
         [0006]    According to the invention, to accomplish this object, a measuring analyzer is provided for analyzing physiological sensor data. The measuring analyzer comprises a sensor for providing physiological sensor data and an analyzing unit for generating measured data from the sensor data having a form for direct analysis. The analyzing unit includes analyzing means for generating the measured data according to a mathematical relationship between sensor data having a form for direct analysis and measured data. The analyzing unit includes a display unit for displaying the measured data. An adaptation means is provided, in which the sensor data are processed such that the sensor data are made available to the analyzing unit in a form necessary for direct analysis. 
         [0007]    The special advantage of the present invention is that by an additional adaptation means, an existing analyzing unit can be used to analyze sensor data of sensors of a different type. As a result, economical measurement analysis can be carried out, because it is possible to use an existing analyzing unit in case of detection by other sensors. The analyzing unit is preferably adapted to sensors that require the determination of the measured data on the basis of different characteristics. 
         [0008]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adaptation means according to the present invention makes it possible to provide the analysis unit with data for analysis in a standardized form. Sensor data of differently configured sensors can therefore be processed in the same analyzing unit with the same analysis parameters preset in the analyzing unit in a fixed manner. 
         [0009]    The present invention advantageously makes it possible for an existing analyzing unit to be also able to be operated with novel sensors, where a distorted measurement result would be calculated if the sensors were directly coupled with the analyzing unit. The adaptation means according to the present invention thus makes possible the adaptation of the analyzing unit to a plurality of differently configured sensor units. 
         [0010]    The adaptation means may be designed such that sensor data of different types of the sensors for the detection of measured data of the same kind are converted into analyzed data, which are made available as standardized variables to the analyzing unit and/or to the display unit. 
         [0011]    The adaptation means may be designed such that sensor data of the sensors, which operate according to different characteristics, can be converted into measured data, which can be processed in the analyzing unit with the existing analyzing means. 
         [0012]    The adaptation means may have on the one hand, a power supply unit for supplying the at least one sensor connected to an input of the adaptation means, and, on the other hand, a computing unit for calculating the measured data from the sensor data. 
         [0013]    The computing unit of the adaptation means may advantageously comprise computing means, such that the voltage and/or current values representing sensor data are converted according to a characteristic into resistance values, which are made available as analysis data to the analyzing unit. 
         [0014]    The computing unit of the adaptation means may be designed such that the sensor data are analyzed according to a calculation relationship and are made available to the display unit as measured data. 
         [0015]    The display unit may be connected to an output of the adaptation means. The display unit may advantageously comprise at least one display screen. 
         [0016]    The adaptation means may advantageously comprise a converting unit, in which the measured data calculated in the computing unit are simulated in a form that can be displayed on the output-side display unit. 
         [0017]    The adaptation means may have a transmitting/receiving unit, which cooperates with a transmitting/receiving unit of a sensor unit for wireless communication between the adaptation means and the sensor unit. 
         [0018]    The core temperature of a human may advantageously be calculated as the measured variable in the computing unit and/or the analyzing unit. 
         [0019]    One additional sensor may be connected directly to the analyzing unit via the adaptation means. The additional sensor may especially be a temperature sensor for measuring the skin temperature. 
         [0020]    The adaptation means may advantageously be designed as an electromechanical signal collecting distributor for additional medical sensors. 
         [0021]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of the drawings. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    In the drawings: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a measuring analyzer according to a first embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a measuring analyzer according to a second embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a measuring analyzer according to a third embodiment; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a measuring analyzer according to a forth embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring to the drawings in particular, a measuring analyzer  1  according to  FIG. 1  comprises essentially an analyzing unit  2 , a display unit  3 , a sensor unit  4  and an adaptation means  5 . 
         [0028]    The sensor unit  4  has a first temperature sensor  4 ′ for determining a skin temperature of a patient, which is accommodated in an incubator  2 . Furthermore, the sensor unit  4  has a second temperature sensor  4 ″ for detecting an ambient temperature of the patient in the incubator  2 . The sensor data detected by the temperature sensors  4 ′,  4 ″ are sent to the input of the adaptation means  5 . 
         [0029]    The adaptation means  5  completely splits the signal path between the sensor unit  4  and the analyzing unit  2 . 
         [0030]    The adaptation means  5  has, on the one hand, a power supply unit  6 , by means of which, among other things, the sensors  4 ′,  4 ″ are supplied with electrical energy (current pulses). 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the adaptation means  5  has a multiplexer  7 , by means of which the sensor data  4 ′,  4 ″ are sent one after another to a voltage measuring unit  8 , an A/D converter  9  and then to a computing unit  10 . The desired core temperature values are calculated as measured data from the voltage analyzed data made available in the A/D converter  9  in the computing unit  10  according to a mathematical relationship (mathematical formula). These calculated measured data can then be displayed on a display  11  integrated in the adaptation means  5  and/or transmitted to different monitors (screens)  13 ,  13 ′, which are connected to the adaptation means  5 . The transmission may directly contain the (digital) values calculated in the computing unit  10  via interfaces  12 ,  12 ′, but conversion may also be necessary in the interfaces  12 ,  12 ′ in order to convert the calculated values into resistance values for the case in which a temperature measuring input based on resistance measurement is to be used on the monitors  13 ,  13 ′. 
         [0032]    Since the analyzing unit  2  is designed as an incubator here and it makes available only a resistance-measuring input in nearly all cases, a converting unit  14  with a converting circuit is provided, by means of which the voltage value taken from the sensors  4 ′,  4 ″ is converted into a resistance value, the conversion being based on the characteristic that is stored in the analyzing unit  2 . This makes possible the simulation of the measured data, the analyzing unit  2  not being able to recognize the difference between a physically existing resistance value and the simulation. 
         [0033]    This converting unit  14  is functionally equivalent to the interfaces  12 ,  12 ′ with integrated resistance conversion, always specially adapted to the different monitors  13 ,  13 ′ and the typical measuring inputs thereof, so that the display is based either on an actual, physically existing resistance value or on the simulation thereof. The monitors  13 ,  13 ′ cannot recognize the difference. 
         [0034]    To make it possible to maintain the measurement by the analyzing unit  2  in case of failure of the power supply unit  6 , two switch-over units  15  (relays), which make possible a direct connection between the analyzing unit  2  and the sensor unit  4  in case of error, are integrated in the adaptation means  5 . The switch-over units  15  are arranged in a signal path  16  of the adaptation means  5 , which makes possible a direct connection of the analyzing unit  2  to the sensor unit  4 . 
         [0035]    According to a second embodiment of a measuring analyzer  21  according to  FIG. 2 , complete separation of the voltage-measuring unit  8  from the signal path  16 , which leads from the sensor unit  4  to the analyzing unit  2 , takes place in case of error of the adaptation means  5 . Identical components in the exemplary embodiments and identical component functions are designated by the same reference numbers, the components  12 ,  12 ′ corresponding here functionally to the converting unit  14  according to  FIG. 1  and being hereinafter also called briefly simulation circuits for  FIG. 3 . A parallel voltage tap is designated by  25 . 
         [0036]    When the measuring analyzer  21  is used, the measured current of the incubator  2  is impressed in the sensors  4 ′,  4 ″ intermittently over time. The power supply unit  6  of the adaptation means  5  pulses during the pauses of the incubator  2  and measures the sensor voltage dropping now according to a high-resistance method. 
         [0037]    The resistance simulation as a permanent loop takes place such that the resistance value that is preset as a set point by the computing unit  10  is set at first. Synchronization is then performed with the scanning characteristic of the incubator  2  or the display unit  3 , and the feed current and the resistance value set are measured. The resistance value is adjusted after the variance comparison, and so on. 
         [0038]    According to a third embodiment of a measuring analyzer  31 , a signal path is not necessary between the sensor unit  4  and the incubator  2 , because no analyzing means are contained in the incubator  2  according to this embodiment. The adaptation means  5  has a transmitting/receiving unit  32 , which cooperates with a transmitting/receiving unit  33  of a sensor unit  34 . The transmitting/receiving unit  32  has a corresponding circuit with a first microcontroller  38  for the data decoding. The decoded data then enter the computing unit  10 , which provides the simulation circuits  12 ,  12 ′ with resistance set values. 
         [0039]    A battery  35  as well as a second microcontroller  36  are implemented in the sensor unit  34 , so that the adaptation means  5  can be placed, together with the display unit  3 , at a desired site in a simple manner. 
         [0040]    According to a forth embodiment of a measuring analyzer  41  according to  FIG. 4 , there is a complete separation of the voltage-measuring unit  8  from the signal path  16 . This is similar to the second embodiment according to  FIG. 2 . However, in addition to sensors  4 ′ and  4 ″ at least one additional sensor  4 ′″ is provided. The sensor  4 ′″ is connected directly to the analyzing unit  2  via the signal path  16  of the adaptation means  5 . In this embodiment the signal path  16  is direct and dedicated to the sensor  4 ′″ to the analyzing unit  2  connection. The additional sensor  4 ′″ is particularly a temperature sensor for measuring the skin temperature. This directly leads from the sensor unit  4 ′″ to the analyzing unit  2  through the adaptation means  5  (the signal path  16  of the adaptation means  5  provides a direct connection from sensor unit  4 ′″ to the analyzing unit  2 ). This is particularly useful in case of an error or problem with the adaptation means  5 . Identical components in the exemplary embodiments and identical component functions are designated by the same reference numbers, the components  12 ,  12 ′ corresponding here functionally to the converting unit  14  according to  FIG. 1  and being hereinafter also called briefly simulation circuits for  FIG. 3 . 
         [0041]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.