Storage space for elements which are used ina medical activity

• US 20070164741A1
• Filed: 11/11/2004
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Raijmakers, Jozef Hieronymus, Tan, Alex, Delaey, Tom Philippe, Herczegh, Laszlo
• Granted Patent: US 7,449,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/309
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/28 Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

The invention relates to storage space (3) for elements (2) which are used in a medical activity, comprising a plurality of partitions (4) which are each dedicated to receiving a certain type of element (2) assigned to a predetermined medical activity, a user interface (6) for selecting a preferred medical activity from a plurality of medical activities, wherein each partition (4) comprises signalling means (5) which provide a signal, dependent on the selected medical activity, to indicate the correct element (2) to be used for the selected activity. In this manner the medical staff is offered ‘intelligent’ management of medical accessories and space, which helps the staff in organizing elements in an efficient and timesaving manner. In addition, a more flexible working environment contributes to the clinical staff feeling freer at work.

Claims

1. A storage space for elements which are used in a medical activity, comprising:

a plurality of partitions which each are dedicated to receiving a certain type of element assigned to a predetermined medical activity,

a user interface for selecting a preferred medical activity from a plurality of medical activities,

wherein each partition comprises signalling means which provide a signal, dependent on the selected medical activity, to indicate the correct element to be used for the selected activity.

2. A storage space as claimed in claims 1, wherein the elements comprise magnetic coils, and the medical activity comprises Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

3. A storage space as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signalling means are arranged to provide visual signals.

4. A storage space as claimed in claim 3, wherein each partition is provided with a lighting device, which is activatable through e?the selection of the medical activity by a user.

5. A storage space as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signalling means Ware arranged to provide audio signals.

6. A storage space as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises means for selecting a medical activity from a plurality of medical activities, said means being chosen from a group including voice control, touch screen, buttons, computer keyboard.

7. A storage space as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage space comprises reading means for reading data which are provided in an identifier which is comprised in each element to be stored in the storage space, and control means for controlling the signalling means for indicating the correct partition to store the element, based on the data in the identifier.

8. An element for use with a storage space as claimed in claim 7, wherein the element comprises an identifier with data relating to storage partition location, which are readable by reading means provided in the storage space, for identifying the correct partition to store the element via the signalling means.

9. A MRI-device using different types of magnetic coils for different examination procedures, wherein the device comprises reading means for reading data into an identifier which is comprised in each coil, and means for indicating a correct position of said coil relative to the device for the specific examination procedure, based on the data in the identifiers.

10. An element for use with a MRI-device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the element comprises an identifier with data relating to element position relative to the devices, which are readable by reading means provided in an examination device, for identifying a correct position of the element relative to the device for the specific examination procedure, based on the data in the identifier, via the indicating means.

11. A method of storing elements which are used in a medical activity, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of partitions (which each are dedicated to receiving a certain type of element assigned to a predetermined medical activity,

providing a user interface for selecting a preferred medical activity from a plurality of medical activities, and

upon selection of a preferred medical activity from a plurality of medical activities, providing a signal via the signalling means of a partition, dependent on the selected medical activity, to indicate the correct element to be used for the selected activity.