Patent Description:
Wired central remote control units for controlling medical devices in a medical area, for example, a surgical operating room, have the physical constraint of wired connections to each of the medical devices due to the necessity of using electrical control signal cords. The cords also limit the operating distance of the medical devices from the remote control unit. Eliminating the electrical cords would provide improved accessibility in a medical care area. Further, a medical worker spends a significant amount of time connecting cords between medical devices and a central control unit.

Wired connection to a central controller for some medical devices, such as room lights, along with wall or ceiling mounted cameras, located in a surgical room also is not very practical.

One known operating room control system includes a master controller electrically connected to slave controllers and/or medical devices via a plurality of communication ports. As an alternative, the master controller may be connected to slave controllers or medical devices via wireless communication systems such as IR or RF signal transmitters and receivers on the master controller, slave controllers and medical devices. It is possible that such an operating room control system may actuate a medical device located remotely from the desired working space. This situation may arise when a master controller provides wireless control signals that travel outside of the desired working space and communicate with another surgical device. For example, a master controller may activate a medical device within another adjacent operating room, even when the master controller is located in the correct room or is located in a hallway outside of a nearby operating room.

<CIT> discloses a proximity alarm system which is integrated with a tracking system. The tracking system separately tracks two items, such as a controller and a base unit. The controller and the base unit have identification (ID) tags, respectively, which are identifiable and trackable by the tracking system. The tracking system is configured to link the ID tags in a central tracking computer or processor. The alarm system communicates with the tracking system, which tracks both linked items, and determines if they are located in the same room. A determination that the linked items are in different rooms, causes the processor to activate an alarm. The document does not disclose two or more transceiver locator devices to determine the presence of medical devices in the medical room and the wireless controller is not adapted to wirelessly control only the medical devices determined to be located in the same medical room.

Accordingly, the present invention encompasses an arrangement that allows a wireless controller to only operate a plurality of devices located in a desired medical room.

In one embodiment, (not specifically claimed) a global network system receives data from a plurality of room monitors and determines which devices and controllers are located in respective operating rooms. The information can be used to display the type and location of various medical devices in a single room.

Another embodiment (not specifically claimed) enables a user to automatically display at a remote central location the exact number and types of medical devices located in multiple medical rooms, such as patient rooms, operating rooms, storage rooms and nurse stations in a medical facility.

One embodiment (not specifically claimed) prevents a second wireless controller from interfering with control of medical devices by a first wireless controller.

Another embodiment (not specifically claimed) enables wireless central control of portable medical devices and fixed medical devices, such as wall cameras and ceiling mounted lights in a medical room, without requiring wired control connections.

Another embodiment enables wireless control of a plurality of medical devices in a medical room by providing two or more transceiver locator devices in the room for a time-of -flight arrangement that determines the presence of medical devices by their distance from the respective transceiver locator devices. Thus, room identifiers are not required. In some embodiments having a plurality of transceiver locator devices, the exact position of the medical devices in an operating room also may be determined and displayed.

One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:.

<FIG> depicts a perspective view of a medical area or room, such as an operating room <NUM>, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The operating room <NUM> includes operating room lights <NUM> and a camera <NUM> mounted to one of the ceiling, a room wall <NUM> or other stationary structure. The operating room <NUM> further includes a surgical table <NUM>, a movable cart <NUM> supporting an arthroscopic pump system <NUM> and a portable waste management system <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a further movable cart <NUM> carries a communication interface, such as a portable touch screen wireless tablet <NUM>, along with a central wireless controller <NUM> for controlling the various medical devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the operating room <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the wireless controller <NUM> is intended to remain in the room and thus need not be provided on a cart <NUM>.

<FIG> further illustrates a room monitor <NUM> located adjacent a door or entryway <NUM>. The room monitor <NUM> only communicates with medical devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and controllers <NUM> entering or exiting the room <NUM>.

The embodiment of <FIG> shows each fixed medical device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the operating room and a fixed medical device <NUM> fixedly mounted in the operating room. The medical device <NUM> is intended to represent any type of known fixed medical device, including the fixed medical devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, that may be provided in an operating room <NUM>. Each fixed medical device <NUM> includes a wireless adapter module (WAM) <NUM> having a micro-controller unit (MCU) <NUM>.

<FIG> also illustrates the arthroscopic pump system <NUM> provided on the cart <NUM> shown in <FIG>, along with a portable pole pump system <NUM>, and a portable medical device <NUM>. The portable medical device <NUM> is intended to represent any type of portable medical device that may be provided in an operating room, including portable devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each portable medical device <NUM> includes a wireless adapter module (WAM) <NUM>. The wireless adapter module (WAM) <NUM> includes both a micro controller unit (MCU) <NUM> and a room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the central wireless controller <NUM> is a portable central wireless controller represented by broken line. The wireless controller <NUM> includes a controller unit <NUM> connected to a wireless router <NUM>. Since the wireless controller <NUM> is portable, a room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM> is provided therewith. The controller unit <NUM> and/or the wireless router <NUM> stores a unique tablet/controller identifier that corresponds to a unique tablet/controller identifier stored in the wireless tablet <NUM>. The wireless router <NUM> further receives a room identifier from the controller unit <NUM> that corresponds to a room identifier stored in the room identifier storage devices <NUM> of the portable medical devices <NUM> located in the medical room <NUM>. The same room identifier is also, in one embodiment, permanently stored in the microcontroller units <NUM> of the wireless adapter modules <NUM> of the fixedly mounted medical devices <NUM> located in the operating room <NUM>.

Since the fixedly mounted medical devices <NUM>, such as the overhead lights <NUM>, overhead camera <NUM>, and surgical table <NUM>, have the room identifier stored in the micro controller unit <NUM> thereof, these devices do not require a room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM> although one may be provided.

In some embodiments, the portable cart <NUM> supports additional controlled devices <NUM> thereon that connect to the controller unit <NUM> by a conventional interface cable <NUM>.

The embodiment of <FIG> is a block diagram showing the room monitor <NUM> having a registration zone <NUM> in the operating room <NUM> adjacent a doorway <NUM> connecting the room to a hallway <NUM>. In <FIG>, the hallway <NUM> in the medical facility is oriented to the left of the room monitor <NUM>.

<FIG> also illustrates both a portable cart <NUM> with a central wireless controller <NUM> and a portable medical device <NUM> located within the registration zone <NUM> of the room monitor <NUM>. The cart <NUM> and medical device <NUM> are either entering or exiting the operating room <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the room monitor <NUM> and at least one of the portable medical devices <NUM> and/or the central wireless controller <NUM> on the cart <NUM> enter into the room <NUM> through the open doorway <NUM>. The room monitor <NUM> senses entry of the portable medical device <NUM> and of the controller <NUM>. The room monitor <NUM> then sends a room identifier for storage in the room identifier storage device <NUM> of the portable medical device <NUM> and of the portable wireless controller <NUM> that are passing through the registration zone <NUM> and into the room <NUM>. Thus, when the portable controller <NUM> enters the operating room <NUM>, the controller <NUM> and each of the fixed or portable operating room devices <NUM>, <NUM> in the room have the same room identifier stored therein. This arrangement will be discussed in more detail later herein.

To enable operation of the respective devices <NUM>, <NUM> when the wireless controller <NUM> is powered, the controller unit <NUM> reads the room identifier stored in the room identifier storage device <NUM> and provides the room identifier to the wireless router <NUM>.

The wireless controller <NUM> utilizes the room identifier and wireless router <NUM> to determine which fixed and portable controllable medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> are located in the operating room <NUM>. The determination results from the wireless router <NUM> sending the room identifier along with device identifiers that correspond to individual devices <NUM>, <NUM> and then waiting for a reply. The medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> then return a wireless signal including the room identifier and a device identifier so that the central controller <NUM> is aware of the types of medical devices in the operating room <NUM>. This polling operation occurs automatically without prompting by an operator at start up as the wireless router <NUM> sends consecutive signals with the room identifier and different device identifiers and detects replies from the different devices in the room <NUM>. Automatic updates of the medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> in the operating room <NUM> occur periodically.

In operation, in one embodiment a user touches the touch screen of the wireless tablet <NUM>, which sends the tablet/controller identifier and a device identifier, along with information and control commands, to the wireless router <NUM>. The wireless router <NUM> reads the tablet/controller identifier sent from the tablet <NUM>. A comparison of the tablet/controller identifier prevents the transfer or communication of commands from a different tablet not associated with the wireless controller <NUM>. The wireless router <NUM> forwards the control commands and identifiers to the controller unit <NUM>. The controller unit <NUM> then determines if the commands are proper and what the control commands are. Control commands, along with the room identifier and the device identifier, are then sent from the controller unit <NUM> to the wireless router <NUM>. The wireless router <NUM> transmits wireless signals that include the identifiers and commands to the medical device <NUM>, <NUM> to be controlled. The appropriate wireless adapter module <NUM> matches the room identifier and the device identifier for the medical device connected thereto, and the commands are then executed. Thus, the command from the tablet <NUM> is wirelessly transferred to the controller unit <NUM> and then wirelessly transferred to the selected medical device <NUM>, <NUM>.

The selected medical device <NUM>, <NUM> being controlled may also return device data or information to the central wireless controller <NUM>. The device identifier stored in the microcontroller unit (MCU) <NUM> of the wireless adapter module <NUM> is wirelessly transmitted with return commands or information that is received by the wireless router <NUM> and forwarded to the controller unit <NUM>. The controller unit <NUM> processes the commands or information and sends relevant information, including the unique tablet/controller identifier, via the wireless router <NUM> to the tablet <NUM> for display of the medical device information on the touch screen.

In some embodiments, the controller unit <NUM> also controls a controlled device <NUM> mounted on the cart <NUM> via the conventional wired interface cable <NUM>. In this arrangement, the central controller <NUM> does not require a wireless connection, much less a room identifier, to operate the controllable medical device <NUM>. Therefore, the controlled medical device <NUM> does not require a wireless adapter module <NUM>.

When the wireless controller <NUM> on the portable cart <NUM> exits the operating room <NUM>, the room monitor <NUM> detects the exiting of the controller. In response to the detection, the room monitor <NUM> transmits a dummy identifier that overwrites the identifier stored in the room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM>. Thus, upon exit from the operating room <NUM> and entering the hallway <NUM>, the central wireless controller <NUM> is inhibited from wirelessly controlling any medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> in any of the nearby operating rooms <NUM> of a medical facility. Likewise, any of the portable medical devices <NUM> exiting room <NUM> is provided with a dummy identifier that prevents operation of the medical device in response to a control signal from a wireless controller <NUM> located at any nearby location.

With regard to the portable medical devices <NUM> entering or exiting the operating room <NUM> through the registration zone <NUM>, the respective room identifier or dummy identifier is stored in the room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM> even if the medical device <NUM> is not powered. For example, after an unpowered portable medical device <NUM> enters room <NUM> and is later powered up, the room identifier is read by the MCU <NUM> of the wireless adapter module <NUM>.

Likewise, if the wireless controller <NUM> moves unpowered into the operating room <NUM> through the registration zone <NUM>, the room identifier is stored in the room identifier storage device <NUM>. When the central wireless controller <NUM> is later powered up, the controller unit <NUM> receives the room identifier from the room identifier storage device <NUM> and sends the room identifier to the wireless router <NUM> to begin communicating with and automatically polling all of the medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> in the room that are powered on and have the correct room identifier.

In another embodiment, when an unpowered wireless controller <NUM> on a cart <NUM> exits the doorway <NUM> through the registration zone <NUM>, the room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM> thereon receives the dummy identifier from the room monitor <NUM>. Later, when the wireless controller <NUM> is powered on, the dummy identifier is configured by the controller unit <NUM> and sent to the wireless router <NUM> to prevent the router, and thus the wireless controller <NUM>, from communicating with any medical device. Thus, outside of the operating room <NUM>, the central wireless controller <NUM> is only capable of controlling medical devices <NUM> that are directly wired thereto through the interface cable <NUM>.

In another embodiment, first and second central wireless controllers <NUM> may be located in the same operating room <NUM>. For instance, in one situation a first central wireless controller <NUM> is located in an operating room <NUM> and the medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> in the room are wirelessly connected thereto and ready for user control. An unpowered second central wireless controller <NUM> then passes through the registration zone <NUM> of the room monitor <NUM> and enters the room. In this embodiment, the room monitor <NUM> is provided with memory which stores the types of controllable portable medical devices <NUM> in the room and whether a wireless controller <NUM> is already located in the operating room <NUM>. Since the room monitor <NUM> recognizes that a first wireless controller <NUM> is already present within the operating room <NUM>, the room monitor <NUM> writes a control disable identifier to the room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM> of the second central wireless controller <NUM> entering the room.

When the second wireless controller <NUM> within the room <NUM> is plugged into a power supply and powered up, the wireless controller unit <NUM> of the second wireless controller <NUM> receives the disable identifier from the room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM>. The second wireless controller <NUM> is configured with the disable identifier to prevent communication with the controllable medical devices <NUM>, <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> reads the disable identifier of the second wireless controller <NUM> and provides an error message through the wireless router <NUM> thereof to the tablet <NUM> indicating that multiple wireless controllers <NUM> are located in the medical room <NUM> and that the second central wireless controller is disabled.

When the second wireless controller <NUM> is subsequently removed from the operating room <NUM>, the room monitor <NUM> removes the disable identifier and provides a different dummy identifier therein. Thus, the second wireless controller is again available for use upon entry into any- other operating room <NUM>.

During the entire time of the entry and exit of the second non-enabled wireless controller <NUM> from the operating room <NUM>, the first central wireless controller <NUM> functions in a normal manner.

In another embodiment, a second central wireless controller <NUM> enters an operating room <NUM> having a first wireless controller <NUM> and receives a disable identifier as discussed above. The first wireless controller <NUM> is removed from the operating room <NUM>. The first wireless controller <NUM> is unregistered and receives a dummy identifier from the room monitor <NUM>. Then, as expected and desired, the first wireless controller <NUM> is unable to control medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> from the hallway <NUM>. The second central wireless controller <NUM> that remains in the operating room <NUM>, however, remains in a disabled state and as discussed above, is unavailable for use. To override the disabled state, a user must remove the second central wireless controller <NUM> from the operating room <NUM> and return the second controller <NUM> to the room so that the second controller <NUM> obtains the room identifier and functions normally to wirelessly control the portable devices <NUM> along with the fixed medical devices <NUM> located in the operating room.

In another embodiment, the disable identifier includes the room identifier in a form not recognizable by the second controller <NUM>. Since the disable identifier differs from a dummy identifier, the second controller <NUM> recognizes that it is located in an operating room <NUM>. A user then has the option of actuating the second central wireless controller <NUM> through an interface, such as the touchscreen tablet <NUM> to enable the second wireless controller <NUM> to obtain the room identifier stored within the disable identifier. Then the second wireless controller <NUM> is operable to control the medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> within the operating room <NUM>.

In another embodiment, two or more central wireless controllers <NUM> enter an operating room at essentially the same time. For instance, both central wireless controllers <NUM> are on the same portable cart <NUM>. The first wireless controller <NUM> that is detected by the room monitor <NUM> is provided with the room identifier and operates to wirelessly control the medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> in a normal manner. The second detected central wireless controller <NUM>, however, will be provided with a disable identifier. The controllers <NUM> then operate in the manner as discussed above.

In other embodiments, multiple medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> of the same type, such as two viewing cameras, are located in the same operating room <NUM>. In one embodiment, the detected presence of multiple medical devices of the same type having the same device identifier is not allowed and a duplicate device warning message is provided to the tablet <NUM> by the central wireless controller <NUM>. The one of the multiple medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> that first connects wirelessly to the controller unit <NUM> of the wireless controller <NUM> through the wireless router <NUM> is available for control by the central wireless controller <NUM>. The other duplicate medical device, however, will be ignored and not wirelessly operable.

In some embodiments, the second non-enabled medical device <NUM>, <NUM> is connected and then the enabled identical medical device is disconnected. The second medical device <NUM>, <NUM> will then be enabled for use and control by the wireless controller <NUM>.

In embodiments including, for example, two different room lights <NUM> provided in an operating room <NUM>, the room lights each have a specific different device identifier. Thus, the room lights <NUM> may be capable of separate operation or combined operation depending on the commands sent thereto from the wireless controller <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the wireless router <NUM> is provided with two different tablet/controller identifiers that correspond to different tablets so that two tablets are capable of controlling devices through a single wireless controller <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the room monitor <NUM> is designated as a sensing and communication system for communicating with room identifier storage devices (RISD) <NUM> that are RFID elements. In other embodiments, different types of known communication or memory storage devices <NUM> may be utilized. For example, infrared and ultrasonic signals are usable in place of radio frequency signals to provide room identifiers or data signals to a room identifier storage device <NUM> entering or exiting the operating room <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the registration zone <NUM> of the room monitor <NUM> comprises a pair of adjacent zones extending across the doorway <NUM>. A first zone at the doorway <NUM> provides the dummy identifier. The second zone in the operating room <NUM> and adjacent to the first zone provides a room identifier to medical devices <NUM> entering the room. In this embodiment, the room monitor <NUM> does not read any identification data from the medical devices <NUM> in the registration zone <NUM>. Portable wireless controllers <NUM> entering or exiting the operating room <NUM> through the registration zone <NUM> are provided with identifiers in the same manner.

The wireless adapter modules <NUM> are illustrated as being separate external elements connected to the respective fixed medical devices <NUM>. In <FIG>, the wireless adapter modules <NUM> are shown located internally within the housing of the respective medical devices <NUM>. It will be appreciated that either arrangement is acceptable for any given medical device <NUM>, <NUM>.

While the above discussion is mainly directed to embodiments of a portable central wireless controller <NUM> provided on a portable cart <NUM> in combination with other medical devices, such as pump system <NUM> and pole pump <NUM> that are mounted on a cart <NUM> or movable stand, the same operation is possible for other types of medical or surgical devices that are provided with a wireless adapter module <NUM> as represented by devices <NUM>, <NUM>. Such surgical devices may include shavers, endoscopic cameras, cutting tools, drills, and other powered equipment utilized in medical or surgical procedures.

While the above embodiments disclose the use of a wireless touch screen tablet <NUM> for the communication interface, in other embodiments the communication interface may be connected to the wireless controller <NUM> by a cable. Thus, a tablet identifier would not be necessary.

In some embodiments, the communication interface is a video screen for displaying information and a separate control keyboard connected to the controller <NUM>. In other embodiments, a voice interface provides voice commands that are translated by a voice recognition device and utilized to control the medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> in the operating room <NUM> through the central wireless controller <NUM>.

While the above embodiments generally involve the use of a room identifier and a device identifier, further unique identifiers can be provided indicating the specific medical device <NUM>, <NUM> in the operating room <NUM>. For example, in addition to a device identifier, a specific manufacturer model registration code can be provided so that the room monitor <NUM> identifies not only the type of medical device, but the exact medical device. This enables data on the history of use or locations of the device to be stored as discussed later herein. Further, multiple medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> of the same type can be separately identified and controlled in an operating room <NUM>.

While the above described embodiments include the central wireless controller <NUM> as a portable or mobile device, in some embodiments the central wireless controller <NUM> may be a permanent structure fixed within the operating room <NUM> or intended to remain in the operating room. In these embodiments, the central wireless controller <NUM> does not require a room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM>, but instead has the room identifier stored in the controller unit <NUM> and/or the wireless router <NUM>. The stored identifier corresponds to the room identifier provided in the room monitor <NUM> for the operating room <NUM>. Otherwise, the fixed wireless controller <NUM> operates in the same manner as the cart-based or portable central wireless controller <NUM> discussed above.

<FIG> illustrates a "time-of-flight" arrangement for a central wireless controller <NUM> that is fixedly located in a operating room <NUM> in most embodiments. Elements in <FIG> having the same reference numerals as in the arrangements shown in <FIG> represent the same element or device.

The main difference in the embodiment of <FIG> with respect to the earlier described embodiments is the absence of a room monitor <NUM> located adjacent the door <NUM> of the operating room <NUM>. Instead, the central controller <NUM> relies on two or more transceiver locator devices <NUM>, and for example at least five transceiver locator devices, provided within the operating room <NUM> to determine the presence of fixed medical devices <NUM> and portable medical devices <NUM> located in the room.

The time of flight embodiment with multiple transceiver locator devices <NUM> shown in <FIG> provides separate distance values from each of the respective locator devices <NUM> to each medical device <NUM>, <NUM> by, for example, timing the sending of a specific signal to the specific device and determining the return time of a return signal including a unique device identifier. In one embodiment this information is then sent wirelessly to the wireless controller <NUM>. The wireless controller <NUM> compiles the distance values for each device from the multiple transceiver locator devices <NUM> to determine the exact location for each fixed or portable medical device <NUM>, <NUM> in the operating room <NUM>. In some embodiments, the locations are displayed on a room map provided on a display screen or on the tablet <NUM>. The central controller <NUM> then wirelessly controls the identified medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> located in the operating room <NUM> as discussed above.

While the embodiment of <FIG> shows two transceiver locator devices <NUM> capable of identifying the presence of medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> within the medical room <NUM>, in another embodiment a fixed transceiver locator device <NUM> is mounted on each wall, along with the floor and ceiling. In this embodiment, the six transceiver locator devices <NUM> each measure respective distances thereto from each medical device <NUM>, <NUM> and the controller <NUM>. The measured distances of each medical device <NUM>, <NUM> from each of the six transceiver locator devices <NUM> are correlated to determine whether the respective medical device is in the operating room <NUM> and available for use. Further, the exact locations of the devices <NUM>, <NUM> and the controller <NUM> are determined by a central time-of -flight microcomputer or the like. These locations are provided to the wireless controller <NUM> for display on a room map provided on a monitor, display screen, or a tablet. The map enables a user to easily locate the devices <NUM>, <NUM> in the operating room.

In another embodiment, the time-of -flight location system operates to detect the presence of devices in the operating room <NUM> according to the system disclosed in <CIT>, the disclosure of which is hereby specifically mentioned.

In one embodiment of the above time-of -flight arrangement, the portable devices <NUM> do not require a room identifier storage device (RISD) <NUM> for storing a room identifier. Instead, each portable or fixed medical device <NUM>, <NUM> only receives transmissions from transceiver locator devices <NUM> and returns signals with a unique device identifier.

Further, the above time-of-flight embodiments do not require room monitors <NUM>, much less room monitors with memory to remember the portable controllers <NUM> and portable medical devices <NUM> located in an operating room <NUM>.

In most embodiments, the unique device identifier that identifies the exact individual medical device <NUM>, <NUM> is a stored model registration number.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a global network system that detects various devices in a room. Another arrangement for a global network system for a foot controller is disclosed in <CIT>, the disclosure of which is hereby specifically mentioned.

The partial diagram of a medical facility <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a hallway <NUM> and a plurality of medical rooms <NUM>. The medical rooms <NUM> include operating rooms and storage rooms. The individual operating rooms <NUM> may have surgical tables <NUM> and other systems and medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> represented by the same reference numerals as described above with respect to the earlier embodiments.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram of a global network system <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. The global network system <NUM> includes a global network processor <NUM>, data storage <NUM>, a control interface <NUM> connected to the global network processor <NUM> and a display <NUM>. The control interface <NUM> and display <NUM> are provided at a remote location.

As discussed above, in earlier embodiments, the room monitors <NUM> detect the exiting and entering of portable central wireless controllers <NUM> and portable medical devices <NUM> from the respective operating rooms <NUM>. In this embodiment the detected information is stored in the room monitor <NUM>. The detected information may include device data for the medical devices <NUM>, <NUM> in the respective operating room <NUM>, along with unique device identifiers.

The global network processor <NUM> receives outputs from each of the room monitors <NUM>. In one embodiment, the global network system <NUM> determines if the portable medical devices <NUM> and portable wireless controllers <NUM> are located in a particular operating room <NUM> to ensure that the necessary medical devices are present therein for a particular type of scheduled surgery. The medical devices in the operating room <NUM> are listed on display <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the room monitors <NUM> not only determine the respective operating rooms <NUM> within a medical building or facility <NUM> having medical devices <NUM> and portable wireless controllers <NUM> located therein, but also sense unique identifiers for each of the portable medical devices <NUM> and the portable central wireless controllers <NUM>. The unique identifiers enable recording of the location, history or usage of each specific portable medical device <NUM> and each portable controller <NUM>, along with any other relevant data. The location data for all of the portable medical devices <NUM> and the respective central wireless controllers <NUM> is received from the room monitors <NUM> by the global network processor <NUM>. The global network processor <NUM> compiles the data and stores the data in data storage <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the data storage <NUM> stores additional data and other information for each specific medical device <NUM>, <NUM>, such as whether the medical device is sterilized. Again, this data is first received by the global network processor <NUM> from the respective room monitors <NUM>. In response to an input at the control interface <NUM>, the display <NUM> shows the exact portable medical devices <NUM> and their locations to assist in collection of the medical devices for servicing.

In another embodiment, separate storage rooms also have room monitors <NUM>. This arrangement enables the global network system <NUM> to provide an inventory of portable medical devices <NUM> and portable wireless controllers <NUM>, including their locations in medical rooms, storage rooms, patient rooms and elsewhere throughout the facility.

Claim 1:
A system for wireless control a plurality of medical devices (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a medical room (<NUM>) comprising:
two or more transceiver locator devices (<NUM>) in the room for a time-of-flight arrangement configured to determine the presence of the medical devices in the room based on distance measurements between the plurality of medical devices and the respective transceiver locator devices; and
a wireless controller (<NUM>) configured to:
rely on the two or more transceiver locator devices (<NUM>) to determine the presence of medical devices (<NUM>, <NUM>) located in the medical room, and
wirelessly control only the medical devices determined to be located in the the medical room.