Patent ID: 8555876

Claim:
A method of safely operating a sedation and analgesia system, wherein the system comprises an electronic controller connected to a fail safe module, to one or more patient interfaces for monitoring the physiological condition of the patient during a medical procedure and to a drug delivery device and wherein the controller monitors the one or more patient interfaces during the operation of the system to confirm a safe physiological condition of the patient, and to control the drug delivery device, the method comprising the steps of: applying power to said system and commencing the operation of the fail safe module to operate said system in a safe state mode in which drug delivery is disabled, and upon receiving one or more valid signals indicating proper operation of the controller, enabling control of the system by said controller; electronically managing the delivery of pain or anxiety relieving drugs to a patient and monitoring the operation of the one or more patient interfaces with the controller; and monitoring the proper operation of the controller with said fail safe module and, in the event of improper operation of said controller, returning said system to said safe state mode of operation.