High-availability wireless operator control device for medical systems

• US 20050004630A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Krause, Michael, Kagermeier, Robert, Medlar, Donal, Sierk, Dietmar
• Granted Patent: US 7,471,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

An apparatus for medical diagnosis and therapy systems has at least one operator control device generating at least one control signal corresponding to at least one function of the apparatus, a control unit for converting the at least one control signal into the at least one function of the medical apparatus, a signal transmission device for wireless transmission of the at least one control signal from the at least one operator control device to the control unit of the medical apparatus, and at least one console adapted for detachably engaging the at least one control device. The signal transmission device has at least one first transmission unit in communication with the at least one operator control device and at least one second transmission unit in communication with the control unit. At least one interference-free transmission path is established when the at least one control device is engaged with the at least one console.

Claims

1. An apparatus for medical diagnosis or therapy systems, the apparatus comprising:

at least one operator control device generating at least one control signal corresponding to at least one function of the apparatus;

a control unit for converting the at least one control signal into the at least one function of the medical apparatus;

a signal transmission device for wireless transmission of the at least one control signal from the at least one operator control device to the control unit; and

at least one console adapted for detachably engaging the at least one control device,

wherein the signal transmission device has at least one first transmission unit in communication with the at least one operator control device and at least one second transmission unit in communication with the control unit, and

wherein at least one transmission path is between th at least one control device and the at least one console, the transmission path being a substantially interference-free transmission path when the at least one control device is engaged with the at least one console.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one substantially interference-free transmission path is a shielded conduit.

3. The medical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a waveguide for transmitting electromagnetic waves is the shielded conduit.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein an optical waveguide is the shielded conduit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one console has a converter for converting a signal-carrying wave into a signal-carrying conductor wave and/or vice versa.

6. The apparatus of claims 1, wherein the console has an antenna for inductive energy transmission.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one console and the at least one operator control device, when engaged to each other, form a second transmission path for the inductive transmission of electrical energy for supplying current to the operator control device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one console is connected to the apparatus via a cable.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a transmission control unit is provided for controlling the transmission path of the at least one console.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transmission control unit converts an electromagnetic signal transmission of the at least one console to an optical or galvanic signal transmission when the at least one operator control device is engaged with the corresponding at least one console.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, when the at least one operator control device is engaged with the at least one console, the transmission control unit switches off transmission paths corresponding to consoles that are not engaged with operator control devices.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one operator control device has a unit for triggering an emergency stop function.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one console has an emergency stop device designed to trigger an emergency stop function of the apparatus for at least one of:

a detection of an interference in a transmission-path, a malfunction of the operator control device or combinations thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the emergency stop function is provided via an electrical circuit with the control element being a normally closed contact.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one control device has a safety circuit with a corresponding emergency stop switch.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one console is adapted for accessory-free attachment with the at least one control device.

17. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the at least one console has a converter for converting a signal-carrying wave into a signal-carrying conductor wave and/or vice versa.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the console has an antenna for inductive energy transmission.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a transmission control unit is provided for controlling the substantially interference-free transmission path of the at least one console.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the at least one operator control device has a unit for triggering an emergency stop function.