Patient network with wireless medical apparatuses and allocation thereof to a patient and his network

• US 20070176790A1
• Filed: 12/13/2004
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Baldus, Heribert, Klabunde, Karin
• Application Number:
  US10/596,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20070176790A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.70
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Wireless medical apparatus (3) having a transceiver unit (23), an indicating device (27) and an input device (25) and having a function for automatic integration of the medical apparatus (3) into the nearest patient network (13) Allocation of the medical apparatus (3) can be effected by a method in which the apparatus is integrated into the nearest patient network after enabling of the apparatus The patient network can be in the form of a personal area network

Claims

1. A method for integration of a medical wireless apparatus into a patient network, comprising the following steps:

bringing the medical apparatus into a vicinity of the patient network to which the medical apparatus is to be allocated,

detecting a current local position of the medical apparatus,

determining the patient network closest to the medical apparatus and communicating the closest patient network to the medical apparatus,

after enabling, integrating the medical apparatus into the patient network.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a locating system is provided, which determines the current local position of the medical apparatus and the closest patient network and informs the medical apparatus of the closest patient network.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the current local position of the medical apparatus and the closest patient network is determined by environment detection.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein for enabling an input by clinic personnel is required for enabling integration of the medical apparatus into the patient network.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a predetermined logic criteria provides for automatic enablement of the integration of the medical apparatus into the patient network.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising communicating information regarding which apparatuses are integrated in the patient network from an information center to the medical apparatus.

7. A wireless medical apparatus having a transceiver unit, an indicating device and an input device and having a means for automatic integration of the medical apparatus into a patient network.

9. The wireless medical apparatus as claimed in claim 7 having a transceiver unit that permits communication in different networks.

10. The wireless medical apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for automatic integration includes an input by clinic personnel.

11. The wireless medical apparatus as claimed in claim 7 having a display and having a search function for finding medical apparatuses of a specific type or a specific medical apparatus;

and wherein the search result is shown on the display.

8. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. A medical apparatus comprising:

means for detecting a current location of the medical apparatus;

means for locating a closest patient network when the medical apparatus is in the same current location for a predetermined time period; and

means for integrating the medical apparatus into the located closest patient network.

15. The medical apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for integrating the medical apparatus into the located closest patient network includes means for entering an input to enable integration.

16. The medical apparatus of claim 14 further comprising means for associating a patient name with the medical apparatus.

17. The medical apparatus of claim 16 wherein the means for associating a patient name with the medical apparatus includes means for selecting the patient name from a patient name list.

18. The medical apparatus of claim 16 wherein the means for associating a patient name with the medical apparatus includes determining the patient name from a portable locatable unit provided to the patient.

19. The medical apparatus of claim 18 wherein the portable locatable unit is wearable.

20. The medical apparatus of claim 14 wherein the medical apparatus is automatically integrated into the closest patient network after a predetermined time interval commencing once the closest patient network has been located.

21. The medical apparatus of claim 14 further comprising means for detecting other medical apparatuses located within a predetermined distance of the medical apparatus.

22. The medical apparatus of claim 21 wherein the location of other medical apparatuses is used, at least in part, to provide the current location of the medical apparatus.