Method of monitoring equipment and alert device

• US 20050185799A1
• Filed: 02/23/2004
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Breakthrough Medical Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Breakthrough Medical Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Bertram, Brian
• Application Number:
  US10/784,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20050185799A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/67
• 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: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission

Abstract

A device and method that interfaces between a medical device and a call alert system. The device includes a microphone that senses an audio signal generated by the medical device when the medical device alarms.

Claims

1. A device to alert medical personnel comprising:

an audio sensor adapted to detect an alarm state audio signal from a medical device connected to a patient; and

an interface adapted to activate a medical personnel call device in response to the detection of the audio signal so that assistance can be provided to the patient.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio sensor is a microphone.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface is a relay.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an adjustable filter adapted to select a range of frequencies of the audio signal to be detected by the audio sensor for further processing.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a frequency counter adapted to count the number of audio signals within the selected range of frequencies, determine what, if any, additional supplies are needed, and communicate with a computer to reorder needed supplies.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor adapted to sample and store a plurality of audio signals generated by the medical device, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to identify critical alarm audio signals.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a time delay adapted to select the time delay before the interface activates the call device.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a remotely located reset switch adapted to reset the interface via an infrared wireless signal.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a driver and a radio transmitter adapted to generate a unique signal and transmit the unique signal to a destination.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a radio transceiver adapted to transmit and receive signals.

11. A method of alerting personnel that a medical device is sounding an audible tone, the method comprising:

detecting a medical emergency through an audible tone generated by a medical device; and

activating a call device to transmit a signal to alert medical personnel.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising counting the number of audible tones generated by the medical device and activating the call device when the number reaches a predetermined threshold.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising selecting at least one of an automatic, manual, and dual mode of operation.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

amplifying the signal;

using an identification system that includes a bar code scanner for medication verification;

transmitting alert data directly into a patient electronic medical record which can be stored in a computer database or printed to a central printer located at a central medical station.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the signal includes an identification of a patient, and wherein the identification is displayed at the destination to inform the personnel of the medical device that is sounding the audible tone.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising comparing the audible tone to a group of audible tones to determine the criticality of the audible tone relative to patient health.

17. A device to alert medical personnel comprising:

an audio sensor adapted to detect an audio signal generated by a patient monitor medical device;

a frequency counter adapted to count the number of audio signals detected by the audio sensor;

a microprocessor adapted to compare the audio signals to stored audio signals to identify the audio signal; and

an interface adapted to activate a call device after the frequency counter reaches a predetermined threshold, wherein the frequency counter includes an analog to digital converter.

18. A device to alert medical personnel comprising:

a microphone adapted to detect an audio signal generated by a medical device;

an adjustable filter adapted to pass the audio signal if the frequency of the audio signal is within a preselected range of frequencies and to ignore it if it is not;

a frequency counter adapted to count the number of audio signals passed by the adjustable filter;

a first relay adapted to activate a call device after the frequency counter reaches a predetemined threshold;

a microprocessor adapted to compare the audio signals to stored audio signals to identify the audio signal; and

a second relay adapted to activate the call device to transmit information related to the audio signal, wherein the information transmitted includes at least one of;

patient number, room number, and bed number; and

a central station for receiving the information and displaying it to medical personnel.

19. A system for alerting personnel comprising:

a call device;

a destination in communication with the call device; and

an alert device including an audio sensor adapted to detect an audio signal generated by a medical device, a relay in communication with the call device, a display for outputting alert device information, a keypad in communication with the display for the inputting of information by medical personnel, and a processor adapted to activate the relay when an audio signal is detected by the audio sensor, wherein the call device transmits a signal to the destination to alert personnel of the audio signal generated by the medical device in response to activation of the relay.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a transceiver adapted to communication with the station and the alert device;

and a comparator for comparing the detected alarm tones to a set of stored alarm tones.