Medical gas alarm system

• US 20030034885A1
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BeaconMedaes, LLC (Atlas Copco AB)
• Original Assignee: Beacon Medical Products, LLC
• Inventors: Moran, Robert O., Wolfe, Dale T., Wilker,, John B. Sr., Sharer, John M., Bohlinger, William C., Hentges, James P., Plyler, Phillip B., Abel, Joseph H., Breitlow, Stanton H., Catton, Edward W., Pfingsten, Thomas R., LaBare, Nick D., Hoffman, Richard E., Dubisar, Thomas J., Kaht, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,987,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/01 specially adapted for anaesthetising A61M16/104, A61M16/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/03 Gases in liquid phase, e.g. cryogenic liquids
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/04 for distribution of gas
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/924 Medical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A medical gas alarm system for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and having a network of computer devices is provided. The alarm system includes at least one area alarm controller adapted to receive a first signal indicative of a condition of a first portion of the medical gas system. The area alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the network. The alarm system also includes at least one master alarm controller adapted to receive a second signal indicative of a condition of a second portion of the medical gas system. The master alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the network. The area alarm controller is adapted to communicate with the master alarm controller through the network.

Claims

1. A medical gas alarm system for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and having a network of computer devices, the medical gas alarm system comprising

at least one area alarm controller adapted to receive a first signal indicative of a condition of a first portion of the medical gas system and adapted to communicate with the network, and

at least one master alarm controller adapted to receive a second signal indicative of a condition of a second portion of the medical gas system and adapted to communicate with the network, the at least one area alarm controller being adapted to communicate with the at least one master alarm controller through the network.

2. The medical gas alarm system of claim 1, wherein the area alarm controller is adapted to couple to a first network hub of the network.

3. The medical gas alarm system of claim 2, wherein the master alarm controller is adapted to couple to a second network hub of the network.

4. The medical gas alarm system of claim 3, wherein the master alarm controller communicates with a server of the network through the second network hub.

5. The medical gas alarm system of claim 3, wherein the alarm controller communicates with a server of the network through the first network hub.

6. The medical gas alarm system of claim 3, wherein the area alarm controller communicates with the master alarm controller through the first and second network hubs.

7. The medical gas alarm system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensor modules configured to sense gas pressures in respective gas pipes of the medical gas system, the area alarm controller including a plurality of display modules, each display module being associated with a respective sensor module, and each display module being configured to display the gas pressure sensed by the respective sensor module.

8. The medical gas alarm system of claim 7, wherein the area alarm controller includes a first electric circuit coupled to the network, the first electric circuit also being coupled to the plurality of display modules and to the plurality of sensor modules, and the first electric circuit operating to communicate the gas pressures sensed by the plurality of sensor modules to the network.

9. The medical gas alarm system of claim 8, wherein the master controller includes a second electric circuit that receives from the network the gas pressures sensed by the plurality of sensor modules.

10. The medical gas alarm system of claim 8, wherein the master controller includes a second electric circuit, the first electric circuit including a first microprocessor, the second electric circuit including a second microprocessor, and each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a respective microprocessor.

11. The medical gas alarm system of claim 7, wherein the area alarm controller activates a first audible alarm when an alarm condition in the medical gas system is sensed by any one of the sensor modules and the master alarm controller activates a second audible alarm when the first audible alarm is activated.

12. The medical gas alarm system of claim 11, wherein the area alarm controller includes a user input operable to silence the first audible alarm and when the first audible alarm is silenced, the area alarm controller notifies the master alarm controller through the network that the first audible alarm is silenced.

13. The medical gas alarm system of claim 11, wherein the area alarm controller includes a first user input operable to silence the first audible alarm and the master alarm controller includes a second user input operable to silence the second audible alarm.

14. The medical gas alarm system of claim 7, wherein the area alarm controller activates a first visual alarm when an alarm condition in the medical gas system is sensed by any one of the sensor modules and the master alarm controller activates a second visual alarm when the first visual alarm is activated.

15. The medical gas alarm system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first visual alarm and the second visual alarm includes an LED.

16. The medical gas alarm system of claim 14, wherein the master alarm controller includes a display screen and the second visual alarm includes a text message that appears on the display screen.

17. The medical gas alarm system of claim 7, wherein each transducer module is configured to sense the pressure of a specific type of gas, each display module is configured to display pressure information for a specific type of gas, each transducer module transmits a code to its associated display module, and the display module analyzes the code to determine whether the display module is compatible with the associated transducer module.

18. The medical gas alarm system of claim 7, wherein the master alarm controller includes user inputs operable to send programming signals over the network to set high-pressure alarm points and low-pressure alarm points of each of the display modules.

19. The medical gas alarm system of claim 7, wherein the area alarm controller is configured to receive programming signals from at least one computer device of the network and the programming signals set high-pressure alarm points and low-pressure alarm points of each of the display modules.

20. The medical gas alarm system of claim 1, wherein the area alarm controller activates a first audible alarm when the first signal indicates that an alarm condition is occurring in the first portion of the medical gas system and the master alarm controller activates a second audible alarm when the first audible alarm is activated.

21. The medical gas alarm system of claim 20, wherein the area alarm controller includes a user input operable to silence the first audible alarm and when the first audible alarm is silenced, the area alarm controller notifies the master alarm controller through the network that the first audible alarm is silenced.

22. The medical gas alarm system of claim 20, wherein the area alarm controller includes a first user input operable to silence the first audible alarm and the master alarm controller includes a second user input operable to silence the second audible alarm.

23. The medical gas alarm system of claim 1, wherein the area alarm controller activates a first visual alarm when the first signal indicates that an alarm condition is occurring in the first portion of the medical gas system and the master alarm controller activates a second visual alarm when the first visual alarm is activated.

24. The medical gas alarm system of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first visual alarm and the second visual alarm includes an LED.

25. The medical gas alarm system of claim 23, wherein the master alarm controller includes a display screen and the second visual alarm includes a text message that appears on the display screen.

26. The medical gas alarm system of claim 1, wherein the master alarm controller includes a display screen that displays text messages corresponding to alarm conditions occurring in the first portion and the second portion of the medical gas system.

27. A medical gas alarm system for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and a network of computer devices including a plurality of personal computers, the medical gas alarm system comprising

an alarm controller adapted to receive an input signal indicative of a condition of the medical gas system, the alarm controller being adapted to couple to the network, and the alarm controller being adapted to generate output data that is accessible to the plurality of personal computers included in the network.

28. The medical gas alarm system of claim 27, wherein the alarm controller includes an electric circuit that is configured to host a website and the output data is accessible to the plurality of personal computers via the website.

29. The medical gas alarm system of claim 28, wherein the website comprises a plurality of web pages and at least some of the web pages are password protected.

30. The medical gas alarm system of claim 29, wherein each web page of the website is identified by a respective network address.

31. The medical gas alarm system of claim 28, wherein the electric circuit of the alarm controller is configured to receive input data from the plurality of personal computers via the website.

32. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the alarm controller includes a plurality of input ports, each input port is capable of receiving the input signal, and the input data received by the alarm controller programs the electric circuit with information regarding which input port of the plurality of input ports is receiving the input signal.

33. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the electric circuit with a gas type associated with the input signal.

34. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the alarm controller includes a display screen and the input data programs the electric circuit with a text message to be displayed on the display screen when the input signal indicates that an alarm condition exists in the medical gas system.

35. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the alarm controller includes a plurality of LED'"'"'s that provide visual indicators of alarm conditions occurring in the medical gas system and the input data programs the electric circuit to assign one of the LED'"'"'s to the input signal.

36. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the electric circuit with a device name associated with the input signal.

37. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the electric circuit with information that associates a location in the healthcare facility with the input signal.

38. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the electric circuit includes a clock and the input data received by the alarm controller programs the clock with a date and a time.

39. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the electric circuit with a user name and a password associated with the user name.

40. The medical gas alarm system of claim 31, wherein the electric circuit includes a memory device in which application software is stored and the input data includes application software that is downloaded into the memory device.

41. The medical gas alarm system of claim 28, wherein the output data includes alarm information about alarm conditions occurring in the medical gas system and the website includes a web page at which the alarm information is viewable.

42. The medical gas alarm system of claim 41, wherein the alarm information includes a gas type associated with each alarm condition.

43. The medical gas alarm system of claim 41, wherein the alarm information includes a location in the healthcare facility at which each alarm condition is occurring.

44. The medical gas alarm system of claim 41, wherein the alarm information indicates whether an audible alarm associated with each alarm condition has been silenced.

45. The medical gas alarm system of claim 28, wherein the output data includes setup information indicating how the alarm controller is set up and the website includes a web page at which the setup information is viewable.

46. The medical gas alarm system of claim 45, wherein the setup information includes a list of gases included in the medical gas system.

47. The medical gas alarm system of claim 45, wherein the setup information indicates a location in the healthcare facility of the alarm controller.

48. The medical gas alarm system of claim 45, wherein the setup information indicates at least one of a serial number of the alarm controller, a model number of the alarm controller, and a software version of application software stored in the alarm controller.

49. The medical gas alarm system of claim 28, wherein the output data includes an event log, the event log lists occurrences of alarm conditions in the medical gas system, and the website includes a web page at which the event log is viewable.

50. The medical gas alarm system of claim 49, wherein the event log indicates a date of occurrence for each alarm condition listed on the event log, a time of occurrence for each alarm condition listed on the event log, and a description of each alarm condition listed on the event log.

51. The medical gas alarm system of claim 28, wherein the output data includes network address information that is associated with the alarm controller and the website includes a web page at which the network address information is viewable.

52. The medical gas alarm system of claim 51, wherein the network address information includes at least one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a subnet identifier, a gateway identifier, and a Mac address.

53. The medical gas alarm system of claim 27, wherein the alarm controller is adapted to receive input data from the plurality of personal computers included in the network.

54. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the alarm controller includes a plurality of input ports, each input port is capable of receiving the input signal, and the input data received by the alarm controller identifies which input port of the plurality of input ports is receiving the input signal.

55. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller identifies a gas type associated with the input signal.

56. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the alarm controller includes a display screen and the input data programs the alarm controller with a text message to be displayed on the display screen when the input signal indicates that an alarm condition exists in the medical gas system.

57. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the alarm controller includes a plurality of LED'"'"'s that provide visual indicators of alarm conditions occurring in the medical gas system and the input data assigns one of the LED'"'"'s of the plurality of LED'"'"'s to the input signal.

58. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the alarm controller with a device name associated with the input signal.

59. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the alarm controller with information that associates a location in the healthcare facility with the input signal.

60. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the alarm controller includes a clock and the input data received by the alarm controller programs the clock with a date and a time.

61. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the alarm controller with a user name and a password associated with the user name.

62. The medical gas alarm system of claim 53, wherein the alarm controller includes a memory device in which application software is stored and the input data includes application software that is downloaded into the memory device.

63. The medical gas alarm system of claim 27, wherein the output data includes alarm information about alarm conditions occurring in the medical gas system.

64. The medical gas alarm system of claim 63, wherein the alarm information includes a gas type associated with each alarm condition.

65. The medical gas alarm system of claim 63, wherein the alarm information includes a location in the healthcare facility at which each alarm condition is occurring.

66. The medical gas alarm system of claim 63, wherein the alarm information indicates whether an audible alarm associated with each alarm condition has been silenced.

67. The medical gas alarm system of claim 27, wherein the output data includes setup information indicating how the alarm controller is set up.

68. The medical gas alarm system of claim 67, wherein the setup information includes a list of gases included in the medical gas system.

69. The medical gas alarm system of claim 67, wherein the setup information indicates a location in the healthcare facility of the alarm controller.

70. The medical gas alarm system of claim 67, wherein the setup information indicates at least one of a serial number of the alarm controller, a model number of the alarm controller, and a software version of application software stored in the alarm controller.

71. The medical gas alarm system of claim 27, wherein the output data includes an event log that lists occurrences of alarm conditions in the medical gas system.

72. The medical gas alarm system of claim 71, wherein the event log indicates a date of occurrence for each alarm condition listed on the event log, a time of occurrence for each alarm condition listed on the event log, and a description of each alarm condition listed on the event log.

73. The medical gas alarm system of claim 27, wherein the output data includes network address information that is associated with the alarm controller.

74. The medical gas alarm system of claim 73, wherein the network address information includes at least one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a subnet identifier, a gateway identifier, and a Mac address.

75. An alarm controller for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and a network of computer devices, the alarm controller being adapted to receive an input signal indicative of a condition of a portion of the medical gas system, the alarm controller being adapted to couple to the network, and the alarm controller having a network address.

76. The alarm controller of claim 75, wherein the alarm controller is programmed to produce output data that is accessible to and viewable on a screen of at least one of the computer devices in the network after the network address is entered into a designated entry location on the screen.

77. The alarm controller of claim 76, wherein the output data includes alarm information about alarm conditions occurring in the medical gas system.

78. The alarm controller of claim 77, wherein the alarm information includes a gas type associated with each alarm condition.

79. The alarm controller of claim 77, wherein the alarm information includes a location in the healthcare facility at which each alarm condition is occurring.

80. The alarm controller of claim 77, wherein the alarm information indicates whether an audible alarm associated with each alarm condition has been silenced.

81. The alarm controller of claim 76, wherein the output data includes setup information indicating how the alarm controller is set up.

82. The alarm controller of claim 81, wherein the setup information includes a list of gases included in the medical gas system.

83. The alarm controller of claim 81, wherein the setup information indicates a location in the healthcare facility of the alarm controller.

84. The alarm controller of claim 81, wherein the setup information indicates at least one of a serial number of the alarm controller, a model number of the alarm controller, and a software version of application software with which the alarm controller is programmed.

85. The alarm controller of claim 76, wherein the output data includes an event log that lists occurrences of alarm conditions in the medical gas system.

86. The alarm controller of claim 85, wherein the event log indicates a date of occurrence for each alarm condition listed on the event log, a time of occurrence for each alarm condition listed on the event log, and a description of each alarm condition listed on the event log.

87. The alarm controller of claim 75, wherein the alarm controller is programmed to receive input data from at least one computer device of the network.

88. The alarm controller of claim 87, wherein the alarm controller includes a plurality of input ports, each input port is capable of receiving the input signal, and the input data received by the alarm controller identifies which input port of the plurality of input ports is receiving the input signal.

89. The alarm controller of claim 87, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller identifies a gas type associated with the input signal.

90. The alarm controller of claim 87, wherein the alarm controller includes a display screen and the input data programs the alarm controller with a text message to be displayed on the display screen when the input signal indicates that an alarm condition exists in the medical gas system.

91. The alarm controller system of claim 87, wherein the alarm controller includes a plurality of LED'"'"'s that provide visual indicators of alarm conditions occurring in the medical gas system and the input data assigns one of the LED'"'"'s of the plurality of LED'"'"'s to the input signal.

92. The alarm controller of claim 87, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the alarm controller with a device name associated with the input signal.

93. The alarm controller of claim 87, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the alarm controller with information that associates a location in the healthcare facility with the input signal.

94. The alarm controller of claim 87, wherein the alarm controller includes a clock and the input data received by the alarm controller programs the clock with a date and a time.

95. The alarm controller of claim 87, wherein the input data received by the alarm controller programs the alarm controller with a user name and a password associated with the user name.

96. The alarm controller of claim 87, wherein the alarm controller includes a memory device in which application software is stored and the input data includes application software that is downloaded into the memory device.

97. The alarm controller of claim 75, wherein the alarm controller transmits data to at least one computer device of the network after the network address is entered on the at least one computer device and the data transmitted by the alarm controller is routed to the at least one computer device through at least one network hub of the network and through at least one server of the network.

98. The alarm controller of claim 75, wherein the alarm controller is able to receive from at least one computer device of the network data that configures the alarm controller after the network address is entered on the at least one computer device and after a user ID and a password are entered on the at least one computer device.

99. The alarm controller of claim 98, wherein the data that configures the alarm controller is routed to the alarm controller from the at least one computer device through at least one network hub of the network and through at least one server of the network.

100. A medical gas alarm system for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system including source equipment and a number of lines that are routed from the source equipment to outlets located throughout the healthcare facility, the medical gas alarm system comprising

a master alarm controller adapted to receive a plurality of alarm signals, each alarm signal being indicative of a respective alarm condition in the source equipment, the master alarm controller including a display screen that displays text messages identifying any alarm conditions that occur.

101. The medical gas alarm system of claim 100, wherein the master alarm controller includes buttons that are operable to program the text messages that appear on the display screen for each of the alarm conditions.

102. The medical gas alarm system of claim 101, wherein the master alarm controller is configured to host a website that is used to program the master alarm controller with the text messages that appear on the display screen for each of the alarm conditions.

103. The medical gas alarm system of claim 101, wherein the master alarm controller includes a port to which a personal computer couples to provide an additional way to program the master alarm controller with the text messages that appear on the display screen for each of the alarm conditions.

104. The medical gas alarm system of claim 100, wherein the master alarm controller is configured to host a website that is used to program the master alarm controller with the text messages that appear on the display screen for each of the alarm conditions.

105. The medical gas alarm system of claim 100, wherein the master alarm controller includes a plurality of LED'"'"'s, each LED of the plurality of LED'"'"'s being assigned to at least one of the alarm conditions, and the plurality of LED'"'"'s operate to provide a visual indication of any alarm conditions that occur.

106. The medical gas alarm system of claim 105, wherein the master alarm controller includes buttons that are operable to assign each LED of the plurality of LED'"'"'s to a selected one of the alarm inputs.

107. The medical gas alarm system of claim 105, wherein the master alarm controller is configured to host a website that is used to assign each LED of the plurality of LED'"'"'s to a selected one of the alarm inputs.

108. The medical gas alarm system of claim 105, wherein the master alarm controller includes a port that is adapted to couple to a personal computer which is operable to assign to each LED of the plurality of LED'"'"'s a selected one of the alarm inputs.

109. The medical gas alarm system of claim 100, wherein the master alarm controller operates so that alternating text messages appear on the display screen when more than one alarm condition occurs.

110. The medical gas alarm system of claim 100, further comprising an area alarm controller that receives a plurality of second alarm signals, the area alarm controller communicating with the master alarm controller, and the text messages appearing on the display of the master alarm controller including text messages identifying the second alarm signals.

111. The medical gas alarm system of claim 110, wherein the text messages identifying the second alarm signals also identify a location in the healthcare facility of the area alarm controller.

112. An alarm controller for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and a network of computer devices, the alarm controller comprising

a housing,

an electric circuit coupled to the housing, the electric circuit being adapted to receive a plurality of alarm signals, each alarm signal being indicative of a respective alarm condition in the medical gas system, and

a display coupled to the housing and coupled to the electric circuit, the electric circuit being programmable to assign to each alarm signal a message to appear on the display.

113. The alarm controller of claim 112, further comprising a set of user input buttons coupled to the housing and coupled to the electric circuit, the set of user input buttons being operable to assign to each alarm signal the message to appear on the display.

114. The alarm controller of claim 113, wherein the electric circuit is adapted to couple to the network and to receive signals from at least one of the computer devices to assign to each alarm signal the message to appear on the display.

115. The alarm controller of claim 114, wherein the electric circuit includes an input port that is adapted to couple to a personal computer to receive commands from the personal computer to assign to each alarm signal the message to appear on the display.

116. The alarm controller of claim 112, wherein the electric circuit is adapted to couple to the network and to receive signals from at least one of the computer devices to assign to each alarm signal the message to appear on the display.

117. The alarm controller of claim 116, wherein the electric circuit includes an input port that is adapted to couple to a personal computer to receive commands from the personal computer to assign to each alarm signal the message to appear on the display.

118. The alarm controller of claim 112, wherein the electric circuit includes an input port that is adapted to couple to a personal computer to receive commands from the personal computer to assign to each alarm signal the message to appear on the display.

119. The alarm controller of claim 112, wherein the electric circuit operates to alternate the text messages that appear on the display when more than one alarm condition occurs in the medical gas system.

120. An alarm controller for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and a network of computer devices, the alarm controller being configured to receive a plurality of alarm signals that are each indicative of a respective alarm condition occurring in the medical gas system, the alarm controller being coupled to the network, and the alarm controller being programmed to send an e-mail to at least one designated e-mail address to provide notification of any alarm conditions that occur.

121. The alarm controller of claim 120, wherein the e-mail contains information identifying any of the alarm conditions that occur.

122. The alarm controller of claim 120, wherein the e-mail address is associated with a pager service provider and the e-mail is configured such that the pager service provider initiates a page after receiving the e-mail.

123. An alarm controller for use in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and having a network of devices including at least one paging device that is configured to page pagers, the alarm controller being configured to receive a plurality of alarm signals that are indicative of respective alarm conditions occurring in the medical gas system, the controller being coupled to the network, and the alarm controller being programmed to send to the network a signal that prompts the paging device to page at least one designated pager to provide notification of any alarm conditions that occur.

124. An alarm controller for use in a hospital having a medical gas system, the alarm controller comprising an electric circuit configured to receive a plurality of alarm signals from the medical gas system, each alarm signal being indicative of a respective alarm condition occurring in the medical gas system, the electric circuit including at least one memory device, the electric circuit storing data in the memory device to create a history log of the alarm conditions that occur in the medical gas system.

125. The alarm controller of claim 124, wherein the history log includes data indicating a date and a time that each of the alarm conditions occurred.

126. The alarm controller of claim 124, wherein the alarm controller hosts a website and the history log includes data identifying user names and passwords of any users accessing the website.

127. The alarm controller of claim 124, wherein the electric circuit is configured to perform self-diagnostic tests and the event log includes data identifying any self-diagnostic tests that are failed.

128. The alarm controller of claim 124, wherein the alarm controller hosts a website having a web page at which the event log is displayed.

129. The alarm controller of claim 128, wherein the web page includes an icon that, when selected, permits the event log to be saved to a file in a user'"'"'s computer.

130. A sensor module for use in a medical gas alarm system having a gas line through which pressurized gas flows, the sensor module comprising

a housing,

a transducer coupled to the housing, the transducer being exposed to a gas pressure in the gas line, the transducer generating a pressure signal indicative of the gas pressure in the gas line, and

an electric circuit coupled to the housing, the electric circuit receiving and processing the pressure signal, the electric circuit being adapted to output serial data including data indicating the pressure in the gas line, a type of gas in the gas line, and a serial number assigned to the sensor module.

131. The sensor module of claim 130, wherein the serial data includes data indicating a software revision number of software stored in the electric circuit.

132. The sensor module of claim 130, wherein the serial data includes data indicating whether a fault condition has occurred in the electric circuit.

133. The sensor module of claim 132, wherein the serial data includes data indicating an error code that identifies any fault conditions that occur.

134. The sensor module of claim 130, wherein the electric circuit includes a visual indicator that indicates whether the sensor module is operating properly.

135. The sensor module of claim 134, wherein the visual indicator includes a light emitting diode that flashes at a first frequency when the sensor module is operating properly and that flashes at a second frequency different than the first frequency when the sensor module is malfunctioning.

136. The sensor module of claim 130, wherein the electric circuit includes power lines which receive power for the electric circuit and the serial data is transmitted on the power lines.

137. A method of installing a medical gas alarm system in a healthcare facility having a medical gas system and a network of computer devices, the method comprising

providing a first alarm controller,

coupling to the first alarm controller a first input signal line on which is carried a first input signal indicative of a first condition of a first portion of the medical gas system,

coupling the first alarm controller to the network,

providing a second alarm controller,

coupling to the second alarm controller a second input signal line on which is carried a second input signal indicative of a second condition of a second portion of the medical gas system, and

coupling the second alarm controller to the network.

138. The method of claim 137, further comprising accessing a first website hosted by the first alarm controller and configuring the first alarm controller for operation via the first website.

139. The method of claim 138, further comprising accessing a second website hosted by the second alarm controller and configuring the second alarm controller for operation via the second website.