Method and system for controlling a medical device

• US 20030018395A1
• Filed: 07/18/2001
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresenius USA Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius USA Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Inventors: Crnkovich, Martin J., Walker, Scott N., Schlaeper, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 6,775,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/14 Dialysis systems; Artificial kidneys; Blood oxygenators semi-permeable membranes characterised by the material, manufacturing processes therefor B01D71/00; Reciprocating systems for treatment of body fluids, e.g. single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

In a medical device, a Tx Clock Button is presented on a graphics display overlain with a touch screen which allows an operator to control multiple functions of the medical device. Various parts of Tx Clock Button may be displayed in different colors, and based on the state of treatment at a given time and in response to the operator touching Tx Clock Button, the colors may change to visually indicate a change in state. When the Tx Clock Button is touched for the first time after a new patient has been selected, multiple functions, times, displays, parameters, and alarms of the medical device are initiated. When the Tx Clock Button is touched for the second time, various ones of the multiple functions, times, displays, parameters, and alarms may be suspended. A third touch of the Tx Clock Button may resume the suspended items.

Claims

1. A method for controlling multiple functions of a medical device, the method comprising:

receiving a first operator input on a button of the medical device, wherein said first operator input on said button actuates,

starting at least one function of the medical device;

starting at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

starting accumulation of at least two parameters of the medical device.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a second operator input on said button, wherein said second operator input on said button actuates,

suspending at least one of said at least one function of the medical device;

suspending at least one of said at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

suspending said accumulation of at least one of said at least two parameters of the medical device.

3. A method according to claim 2 further comprising:

receiving a third operator input on said button, wherein said third operator input on said button actuates,

resuming said suspended said at least one of said at least one function of the medical device;

resuming said suspended said at least one of said at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

resuming said suspended said accumulation of at least one of said at least two parameters of the medical device.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said first operator input, said second operator input, and said third operator input must be followed by an operator confirm key input before said actuation occurs.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said button comprises a button image displayed on a graphics display of the medical device, wherein said graphics display is overlain with a touch screen for receiving touch input from an operator, such as said first operator input on said button image displayed on said graphics display.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said first operator input on said button further actuates:

displaying graphically on a graphics display of the medical device a progress of treatment time;

enabling a first alarm function of the medical device; and

enabling a first control function of the medical device.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising:

receiving a second operator input on said button, wherein said second operator input on said button actuates,

displaying graphically on said graphics display a pause of said progress of treatment time;

enabling a second alarm function of the medical device; and

enabling a second control function of the medical device.

8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising:

receiving a third operator input on said button, wherein said third operator input on said button actuates,

redisplaying graphically on said graphics display said progress of treatment time;

re-enabling said first alarm function of the medical device; and

re-enabling said first control function of the medical device.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said first operator input, said second operator input, and said third operator input must be followed by an operator confirm key input before said actuation occurs.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said button comprises a button image displayed on said graphics display, wherein said graphics display is overlain with a touch screen for receiving touch input from an operator, such as said first operator input, said second operator input, and said third operator input on said button image displayed on said graphics display, and further wherein said progress of treatment time, said pause of said progress of treatment time, and said redisplaying of said progress of treatment time are displayed on said graphics display within said button image.

11. A method according to claim 6 wherein said displaying graphically said progress of treatment time further comprises:

displaying a time remaining segment in a first color that proportionally decreases in area as said progress of treatment time elapses; and

displaying a time elapsed segment in a second color that proportionally increases in area as said progress of treatment time elapses.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said time remaining segment and said time elapsed segment are displayed as pie-shaped segments.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said time remaining segment and said time elapsed segment are displayed as rectangular bar graph-shaped segments.

14. A method according to claim 6 wherein the medical device comprises a hemodialysis machine.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said first alarm function further comprises sounding an audible alarm if no blood is sensed in a blood circuit of said hemodialysis machine when said progress of treatment time is graphically displayed as running.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein said first control function further comprises allowing automatic blood pressure measurements when said progress of treatment time is graphically displayed as running.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein said second alarm function further comprises sounding an audible alarm if blood is sensed in a blood circuit of said hemodialysis machine when said progress of treatment time is graphically displayed as paused.

18. A method according to claim 14 wherein said at least one function of said hemodialysis machine comprises at least one of an ultrafiltration pump, a blood pump, a blood pressure detector, a heparin pump, a level detector, and a dialyzer.

19. A method according to claim 14 wherein said at least two time accumulations of said hemodialysis machine comprise at least two of a remaining time of dialysis time, a sodium variation system time, an ultrafiltration time, a heparin pump time, and a Kt/V time.

20. A method according to claim 14 wherein said at least two parameters of said hemodialysis machine comprise at least two of a Kt/V, a blood temperature, an ultrafiltration volume accumulated, a heparin volume accumulated, a blood pressure, a blood volume processed, and a clearance test.

21. A system for controlling multiple functions of a medical device, the system comprising:

a button for receiving operator input and sending an operator input signal;

a processor, connectable to said button for receiving said operator input signal, said processor having,

a memory; and

a program code stored in said memory;

wherein said processor running said program code interprets said operator input signal and outputs control signals; and

at least one component of the medical device in communication with said processor;

wherein a first operator input signal is interpreted by said processor and outputs a first plurality of control signals that,

start said at least one component of the medical device;

start at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

start accumulation of at least two parameters of the medical device.

22. The system according to claim 21 wherein a second operator input signal is interpreted by said processor and outputs a second plurality of control signals that,

suspend at least one of said at least one component of the medical device;

suspend at least one of said at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

suspend said accumulation of at least one of said at least two parameters of the medical device.

23. The system according to claim 22 wherein a third operator input signal is interpreted by said processor and outputs a third plurality of control signals that,

resume said suspended said at least one of said at least one component of the medical device;

resume said suspended at least one of said at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

resume said suspended said accumulation of at least one of said at least two parameters of the medical device.

24. The system according to claim 23 further comprising:

a confirm key connectable to said processor for receiving operator confirm input and sending an operator confirm input signal,

wherein said output control signals associated with said first operator input signal, said second operator input signal, and said third operator input signal must be followed by said operator confirm input signal before said output control signals are output by said processor.

25. The system according to claim 21 further comprising:

a graphics display of the medical device in communication with said processor;

a touch screen overlaying said graphics display in communication with said processor for receiving touch input from an operator;

wherein said program code further comprises,

a touch screen controller; and

a user interface;

wherein said button comprises a button image displayed on said graphics display of the medical device, wherein said touch screen receives touch input from an operator, such as said first operator input on said button image displayed on said graphics display, and sends said operator input signal.

26. The system according to claim 21 further comprising:

a graphics display of the medical device in communication with said processor;

wherein said first plurality of control signals additionally,

cause said graphics display to display graphically a progress of treatment time;

enable a first alarm function of the medical device; and

enable a first control function of the medical device.

27. The system according to claim 26 wherein a second operator input signal interpreted by said processor outputs a second plurality of control signals that,

cause said graphics display to display graphically a pause of said progress of treatment time;

enable a second alarm function of the medical device; and

enable a second control function of the medical device.

28. The system according to claim 27 wherein a third operator input signal interpreted by said processor outputs a third plurality of control signals that,

cause said graphics display to redisplay graphically said progress of treatment time;

re-enable said first alarm function of the medical device; and

re-enable said first control function of the medical device.

29. The system according to claim 28 wherein said output control signals associated with said first operator input signal, said second operator input signal, and said third operator input signal must be followed by said operator confirm input signal before said output control signals are output by said processor.

30. The system according to claim 29 further comprising:

a touch screen overlaying said graphics display in communication with said processor for receiving touch input from an operator;

wherein said program code further comprises,

a touch screen controller; and

a user interface;

wherein said button comprises a button image displayed on said graphics display, wherein said touch screen receives touch input from an operator, such as said first operator input, said second operator input, and said third operator input on said button image displayed on said graphics display, and further wherein said progress of treatment time, said pause of said progress of treatment time, and said redisplaying of said progress of treatment time are displayed on said graphics display within said button image.

31. The system according to claim 21 wherein the medical device comprises a hemodialysis machine.

32. The system according to claim 31 wherein said at least one component of said hemodialysis machine comprises at least one of an ultrafiltration pump, a blood pump, a blood pressure detector, a heparin pump, a level detector, and a dialyzer.

33. The system according to claim 31 wherein said at least two time accumulations of said hemodialysis machine comprise at least two of a remaining time of dialysis time, a sodium variation system time, an ultrafiltration time, a heparin pump time, and a Kt/V time.

34. The system according to claim 31 wherein said at least two parameters of said hemodialysis machine comprise at least two of a Kt/V, a blood temperature, an ultrafiltration volume accumulated, a heparin volume accumulated, a blood pressure, a blood volume processed, and a clearance test.

36. A method according to claim 35 further comprising:

receiving a next operator input on said button after said operator input, wherein said next operator input on said button actuates,

resuming said suspended said at least one of said at least one function of the medical device;

resuming said suspended said at least one of said at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

resuming said suspended said accumulation of at least one of said at least two parameters of the medical device.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein said operator input and said next operator input must be followed by an operator confirm key input before said actuation occurs.

38. A method according to claim 35 wherein said button comprises a button image displayed on a graphics display of the medical device, wherein said graphics display is overlain with a touch screen for receiving touch input from an operator, such as said operator input on said button image displayed on said graphics display.

39. A method according to claim 35 wherein said operator input on said button further actuates:

displaying graphically on a graphics display of the medical device a pause in a progress of treatment time;

enabling an alarm function of the medical device; and

enabling a control function of the medical device.

40. A method according to claim 39 further comprising:

receiving a next operator input on said button after said operator input, wherein said next operator input on said button actuates,

displaying graphically on said graphics display a resumption in said progress of treatment time;

enabling a second alarm function of the medical device; and

enabling a second control function of the medical device.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein said operator input and said next operator input must be followed by an operator confirm key input before said actuation occurs.

42. A method according to claim 41 wherein said button comprises a button image displayed on said graphics display, wherein said graphics display is overlain with a touch screen for receiving touch input from an operator, such as said operator input and said next operator input on said button image displayed on said graphics display, and further wherein said pause of said progress of treatment time and said resumption of said progress of treatment time are displayed on said graphics display within said button image.

43. A method according to claim 39 wherein the medical device comprises a hemodialysis machine.

44. A method according to claim 43 wherein said second alarm function further comprises sounding an audible alarm if blood is sensed in a blood circuit of said hemodialysis machine when said progress of treatment time is graphically displayed as paused.

45. A method according to claim 43 wherein said at least one function of said hemodialysis machine comprises at least one of an ultrafiltration pump, a blood pump, a blood pressure detector, a heparin pump, a level detector, and a dialyzer.

46. A method according to claim 43 wherein said at least two time accumulations of said hemodialysis machine comprise at least two of a remaining time of dialysis time, a sodium variation system time, an ultrafiltration time, a heparin pump time, and a Kt/V time.

47. A method according to claim 43 wherein said at least two parameters of said hemodialysis machine comprise at least two of a Kt/V, a blood temperature, an ultrafiltration volume accumulated, a heparin volume accumulated, a blood pressure, a blood volume processed, and a clearance test.

49. The system according to claim 48 wherein a next operator input signal after said operator input signal is interpreted by said processor and outputs a next plurality of control signals that,

resume said suspended said at least one of said at least one component of the medical device;

resume said suspended at least one of said at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

resume said suspended said accumulation of at least one of said at least two parameters of the medical device.

50. The system according to claim 49 further comprising:

a confirm key connectable to said processor for receiving operator confirm input and sending an operator confirm input signal,

wherein said output control signals associated with said operator input signal and said next operator input signal must be followed by said operator confirm input signal before said output control signals are output by said processor.

51. The system according to claim 48 further comprising:

a graphics display of the medical device in communication with said processor;

a touch screen overlaying said graphics display in communication with said processor;

wherein said program code further comprises,

a touch screen controller; and

a user interface;

wherein said button comprises a button image displayed on said graphics display of the medical device, wherein said touch screen receives touch input from an operator, such as said first operator input on said button image displayed on said graphics display, and sends said operator input signal.

52. The system according to claim 48 further comprising:

a graphics display of the medical device in communication with said processor.

53. The system according to claim 52 wherein said plurality of control signals additionally,

cause said graphics display to display graphically a pause of said progress of treatment time;

enable an alarm function of the medical device; and

enable a control function of the medical device.

54. The system according to claim 53 wherein a next operator input signal after said operator input signal is interpreted by said processor and outputs a next plurality of control signals that,

cause said graphics display to display graphically a resumption in said progress of treatment time;

enable a second alarm function of the medical device; and

enable a second control function of the medical device.

55. The system according to claim 54 wherein said output control signals associated with said operator input signal and said next operator input signal must be followed by said operator confirm input signal before said output control signals are output by said processor.

56. The system according to claim 55 further comprising:

a touch screen overlaying said graphics display in communication with said processor for receiving touch input from an operator;

wherein said program code further comprises,

a touch screen controller; and

a user interface;

wherein said button comprises a button image displayed on said graphics display, wherein said touch screen receives touch input from an operator, such as said operator input on said button image displayed on said graphics display, and sends said operator input signal and said next operator input signal, and further wherein said pause of said progress of treatment time, and said resumption of said progress of treatment time are displayed on said graphics display within said button image.

57. The system according to claim 48 wherein the medical device comprises a hemodialysis machine.

58. The system according to claim 57 wherein said at least one component of said hemodialysis machine comprises at least one of an ultrafiltration pump, a blood pump, a blood pressure detector, a heparin pump, a level detector, and a dialyzer.

59. The system according to claim 57 wherein said at least two time accumulations of said hemodialysis machine comprise at least two of a remaining time of dialysis time, a sodium variation system time, an ultrafiltration time, a heparin pump time, and a Kt/V time.

60. The system according to claim 57 wherein said at least two parameters of said hemodialysis machine comprise at least two of a Kt/V, a blood temperature, an ultrafiltration volume accumulated, a heparin volume accumulated, a blood pressure, a blood volume processed, and a clearance test.

35. A method for controlling multiple functions of a medical device, the method comprising:

receiving an operator input on a button of the medical device, wherein said operator input on said button actuates,

suspending at least one of at least one function of the medical device;

suspending at least one of at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

suspending accumulation of at least one of at least two parameters of the medical device.

48. A system for controlling multiple functions of a medical device, the system comprising:

a button for receiving operator input and sending an operator input signal;

a processor, connectable to said button for receiving said operator input signal, said processor having,

a memory; and

a program code stored in said memory;

wherein said processor running said program code interprets said operator input signal and outputs control signals; and

at least one component of the medical device in communication with said processor;

wherein an operator input signal is interpreted by said processor and outputs a plurality of control signals that,

suspend at least one of said at least one component of the medical device;

suspend at least one of at least two time accumulations of the medical device; and

suspend accumulation of at least one of at least two parameters of the medical device.