Remote control and tactile feedback system and method for medical apparatus

• US 20050066969A1
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda
• Original Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda
• Inventors: Tobia, Ronald L., Rick, Norman A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,669,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.180
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3576 with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/01 Remote controllers for specific apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A system and method are for monitoring control signals provided to a medical apparatus based upon tactile feedback from the apparatus. The system and method employ a monitoring signal indicative of a parameter relating to the apparatus or to a condition of a patient associated with the apparatus. The system includes a first feedback device in communication with the apparatus and arranged to provide tactile feedback to a first individual based upon the monitoring signal; a first controller actuatable by the first individual to provide a control signal to the apparatus for carrying a control action in the apparatus; a second feedback device in communication with the apparatus and arranged to provide tactile feedback to a second individual based upon the monitoring signal from the apparatus; and a second controller in communication with the first controller such that the control signal given by the first individual to the first controller is reflected in the second controller and communicated to the second individual. The first feedback device, first controller, second feedback device and second controller are in communication with the apparatus such that the first and second individuals can be distant from the apparatus and patient and move about the apparatus and patient to a desired location.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring control signals provided to a medical apparatus based upon tactile feedback from the apparatus, the system employing a monitoring signal indicative of a parameter relating to the apparatus or to a condition of a patient associated with the apparatus, the system comprising:

a first feedback device in communication with the apparatus and arranged to provide tactile feedback to a first individual based upon the monitoring signal;

a first controller actuatable by the first individual to provide a control signal to the apparatus for carrying out a control action in the apparatus;

the first feedback device and first controller in communication with the apparatus such that the first individual can be distant from the apparatus and patient and move about the apparatus and patient to a desired location;

a second feedback device in communication with the apparatus and arranged to provide tactile feedback to a second individual based upon the monitoring signal from the apparatus; and

a second controller in communication with the first controller such that the control signal given by the first individual to the first controller is communicated to the second individual;

the second feedback device and second controller in communication with the apparatus such that the second individual can be distant from the apparatus and patient and move about the apparatus and patient to a desired location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the medical apparatus comprises a ventilator and the control signal comprises a breathing gas control signal.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of feedback devices in communication with the apparatus and arranged to provide tactile feedback to a plurality of individuals based upon the monitoring signal from the apparatus, and

a plurality of controllers in communication with the apparatus such that the control signal given by the first individual to the first controller is communicated to the plurality of individuals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second controller is actuatable by the second individual to provide a control signal to the apparatus for carrying out a control action in the apparatus.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second controller is in communication with the first controller such that the control signal given by the second individual to the second controller is reflected in the first controller and communicated to the first individual.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first controller is suitable for being placed in the hand of the first individual and wherein the first controller has a trigger member connected to a signal generating element for providing the control signal.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second controller is suitable for being placed in the hand of the second individual and has a trigger member connected to a signal generating element for providing a control signal to the apparatus.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein movements of the trigger on the first controller cause corresponding movement of the trigger on the second controller.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first feedback device comprises a trigger for being placed in contact with the fingers of the first individual.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second feedback device comprises a trigger for being placed in contact with the fingers of the second individual.

11. The system of claim 1, further defined as a remote tactile feedback system for medical apparatus comprising a ventilator, the ventilator providing a signal relating to the ventilation of a patient.

12. The system of claim 1, further defined as a remote tactile feedback system for medical apparatus comprising a ventilator, the ventilator providing a signal relating to the ventilation of a patient, and wherein the feedback means generates a tactile sensation to the user indicative of a respiration characteristic.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second feedback devices generate a tactile sensation of a parameter comprising at least one of the patient airway pressure, patient breathing gas flow, patient tidal volume, patient pulse rate, patient blood pressure and patient arterial blood oxygen saturation.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the first feedback device and first controller are in wireless communication with the apparatus.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the second feedback device and second controller are in wireless communication with the apparatus.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising selection control electronics that are programmable to provide tactile feedback based upon a response signature relating to a specific lung disease to the first and second feedback devices.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the second controller comprises a display for displaying control signals sent by the first controller.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the control signal is communicated to the second controller via tactile feedback.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the control signal is communicated to the second controller via a video signal.

20. The system of claim 4, further comprising selection control electronics for selecting which one of the first or second controllers to control the apparatus.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the control signal given by the first individual to the first controller is communicated to the second individual via tactile feedback.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of feedback devices in communication with the apparatus and arranged to provide tactile feedback to a plurality of individuals based upon the monitoring signal.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of feedback devices in communication with the apparatus and arranged to provide control signals to the apparatus for carrying out a control action in the apparatus.

24. A system for monitoring control signals provided to a medical apparatus based upon tactile feedback from the apparatus, the system comprising:

means for communicating tactile feedback to a first individual, the tactile feedback indicative of a parameter relating to the apparatus or to a condition of a patient associated with the apparatus;

means for providing a control signal from the first individual to the apparatus for carrying out a control action in the apparatus;

means for providing tactile feedback to a second individual, the tactile feedback indicative of the parameter relating to the apparatus or to the condition of the patient associated with the apparatus;

means for communicating the control signal to the second individual;

the system arranged to allow the first and second individuals to be distant from the apparatus and patient and to move about the apparatus and patient while receiving the tactile feedback and providing the control signal.

25. The system of claim 24, further providing means for providing a control signal from the second individual to the apparatus for carrying out a control action in the apparatus.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising means for selecting one of the first and second controllers to communicate control signals to the apparatus.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the medical apparatus comprises a ventilator and the control signal comprises a breathing gas control signal.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the means for communicating the control signal to the second individual comprises a display.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein the means for communicating the control signal to the second individual comprises a member for providing tactile feedback.

30. A method for monitoring control signal provided to a medical apparatus based upon tactile feedback from the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

remotely communicating tactile feedback to a first individual indicative of a parameter relating to the apparatus or to a patient associated with the apparatus;

remotely communicating a control signal from the first individual to the apparatus for carrying out a control action in the apparatus;

remotely communicating tactile feedback indicative of the parameter to a second individual; and

communicating the control signal provided by the first individual to the second individual.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of providing tactile feedback indicative of the parameter to a plurality of individuals and communicating the control signal from the first individual to the plurality of individuals.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the control signal is a breathing gas control signal.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of communicating a second control signal from the second individual to the first individual.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the control signal provided by the first individual is communicated to the second individual via tactile feedback.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the control signal provided by the first individual is communicated to the second individual via a display.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the control signal provided by the first individual is communicated to the second individual via an audio signal.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the second individual monitors control actions of the first individual and attempts to mimic the control actions.

38. The method of claim 30, further comprising means for selecting one of first and second controllers for controlling the apparatus.