Medical device with input unit

• US 10,530,781 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2017
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dragerwerk AG & Company KGaA (Dragerwerk AG)
• Original Assignee: Dragerwerk AG & Company KGaA (Dragerwerk AG)
• Inventors: Schlichting, Stefan, Abell, Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): Steinle, Andrew J
• Application Number:
  US15/848,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20180183808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/445 by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

A medical device has a device component with an operating state controllable by predefining a predefined value for an operating parameter. A data network interface receives a data message from a central network computer. The data message indicates whether the central network computer is in a blocked state concerning potential user inputs into an input unit of the network computer. The medical device further has an input unit for the potential input of an input value and at least one control unit configured to predefine the predefined value as a function of the input value to the device component as well as to block the input unit for inputs of a user. The control unit is further configured to block the input unit for the input of the input value as a function of the indicated state of the central network computer.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

at least one device component having an operating state that can be controlled by predefining a predefined value for an operating parameter, wherein the at least one device component comprises an actuator for physiologically acting on a patient, a measuring unit for analyzing at least one physiological sensor signal or an alarm generation unit for outputting at least one alarm signal on the basis of at least one physiological sensor signal or any combination of the actuator, the measuring unit and the alarm generation unit;

a data network interface for receiving at least one data message from a central network computer, wherein the data message indicates a state of the central network computer as to whether the central network computer is in a blocked state concerning potential user inputs into a network computer input unit of the network computer;

an input unit for receiving a potential input of an input value;

a control unit comprising one or more processors, the control unit being configured;

to predefine the predefined value as a function of the input value to the device component;

to block the input unit as to inputs of a user;

to block the input unit as to the input of the input value as a function of the indicated state of the central network computer;

to block the input unit for the input of the input value when the data message indicates that the input unit of the central network computer is blocked for user inputs;

to provide a control signal for the at least one device component and to select the control signal as a function of the predefined value;

to configure the input unit in case the input unit is blocked by the control unit for the input of the input value such that an input of an unblocking signal into the input unit by a user is possible and to receive the unblocking signal, if any; and

to unblock the input unit for the input of the input value in the presence of the unblocking signal.

2. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to unblock the input unit for the input of the input value when the data message indicates that the input unit of the central network computer is unblocked for user inputs.

3. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

the data message further indicates an authorization level of a user of the central network computer; and

the control unit is further configured to unblock the input unit for the input of the input value when the indicated authorization level is equal to or higher than a predefined, necessary authorization level.

4. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to unblock the input unit for the input of the input value for a predefined duration in the presence of the unblocking signal.

5. A medical device in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

the data message further indicates an authorization level of a user of the central network computer, and

the control unit is further configured to select the duration as a function of the indicated authorization level.

6. A medical device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the control unit is further configured to prolong the predefined duration in the presence of a request input of the user into the input unit.

7. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to output an alarm signal in the presence of the unblocking signal.

8. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a memory unit, wherein the control unit is further configured to store a data element, which data element indicates the operation of unblocking of the input unit, in the memory unit in the presence of the unblocking signal.

9. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

the memory unit is configured to provide certificate data; and

the control unit is configured to check an authenticity of the central network computer on the basis of the certificate data and, furthermore, on the basis of data messages exchanged with the network computer via the data interface.

10. A medical device in accordance with claim 9, wherein

the memory unit is further configured to provide authentication data of a user;

the control unit is further configured;

to determine on the basis of data messages exchanged with the central network computer via the data interface whether a data network connection to the central network computer is currently present;

and if there is currently no data network connection to the central network computer,

to configure the input unit such that an input of authentication data by a user into the input unit is possible and to potentially receive the authentication data; and

further, if a comparison of the provided authentication data with authentication data inputted by the user into the input unit is positive, to unblock the input unit for the input of the input value.

11. A medical device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the control unit is further configured:

to derive a user identity from the provided authentication data and/or the inputted authentication data; and

to make the user identity known by means of a data message provided at the data interface.

12. A medical device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured:

to determine on the basis of data messages exchanged with the network computer via the data interface whether a data network connection to the central network computer is currently present; and

to output an alarm signal in the form of a data signal, in case no data network connection to the central network computer is currently present.