PORTABLE AND PROGRAMMABLE MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20100211713A1
• Filed: 02/17/2009
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dorsey, Michael C., Waldhoff, Gary J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,873,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/303
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• 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 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A medical device system includes a portable medical device and a docking unit on which the medical device can be removably mounted. The docking unit is configured to communicate with a controller of the medical device when the medical device is mounted on the docking unit to instruct the controller to execute a selected program.

Claims

1. A medical device system comprising:

a portable medical device including a controller programmed to selectively execute at least two programs for controlling at least one operation of the medical device; and

a docking unit on which the medical device can be removably mounted, the docking unit comprising an operator interface for selecting a program from said at least two programs,

wherein the docking unit is configured to communicate with the controller of the medical device when the medical device is mounted on the docking unit to instruct the controller to execute the selected program,

wherein the controller of the medical device is configured to control the medical device according to the selected program when the medical device is removed from the docking unit.

2. A medical device system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the docking unit and the medical device are configured so that the docking unit can wirelessly communicate with the controller.

3. A medical device system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the docking unit includes a signal generator for generating a signal corresponding to the program selected at the operator interface,

wherein the medical device includes a sensor for detecting the signal generated by the signal generator when the medical device is mounted on the docking unit, the sensor being in communication with the controller.

4. A medical device system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the signal generator comprises at least one magnet for generating a magnetic field, and wherein the medical device comprises at least one Hall-effect sensor for detecting the magnetic field.

5. A medical device system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the magnet is movable in the docking unit between a detection position in which the Hall-effect sensor detects the magnetic field, and a non-detection position in which the Hall-effect sensor does not detect the magnetic field.

6. A medical device system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said signal generator comprises a plurality of permanent magnets that are independently movable,

wherein said medical device comprises a plurality of Hall-effect sensors, and

wherein the permanent magnets and the Hall-effect sensors are configured so that each permanent magnet generates a magnetic field that is detectable by a single, dedicated one of the sensors when the magnet is in the detection position.

7. A medical device system as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of independently rotatable disks, wherein each rotatable disk includes one of the magnets mounted thereon for independently moving the magnet.

8. A medical device system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the magnet is an electromagnet for generating a magnetic field as a function of an applied current signal.

9. A medical device system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the applied current signal is pulsed.

10. A medical device system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said signal generator comprises a plurality of electromagnets,

wherein said negative pressure unit comprises a plurality of Hall-effect sensors, and

wherein the electromagnets and the Hall-effect sensors are configured so that each electromagnet generates a magnetic field as a function of the applied current signal that is detectable by a single, dedicated one of the sensors.

11. A medical device system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the signal generator is configured to generate an electromagnetic signal and wherein the sensor is configured for detecting the electromagnetic signal when the medical device is mounted on the docking unit.

12. A medical device system as set forth in claim 11 wherein signal generator is a light source and the electromagnetic signal is a light signal, and wherein the sensor is a light sensor.

13. A medical device system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the portable medical device is a negative pressure unit for use with negative pressure wound therapy, the negative pressure unit including a vacuum pump, and a canister in fluid communication with the vacuum pump for collecting exudates from a wound site, wherein the at least two programs are pump-operating programs for controlling operation of the pump, the negative pressure unit having no operator interface that allows the selected operating program to be deselected or changed.

14. A portable medical device comprising:

a controller programmed to selectively execute a plurality of programs for controlling operation of the medical device;

a plurality of proximity sensors in communication with the controller, each proximity sensor being adapted to send a first signal to the controller when the sensor detects a target and a second signal to the controller when the sensor does not detect the target,

wherein the controller is configured to execute one of the programs based on the combination of the signals sent by the proximity sensors.

15. A portable medical device as set forth in claim 14 wherein the proximity sensors comprise a plurality of Hall-effect sensors.

16. A portable medical device as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a vacuum pump, and a canister in fluid communication with the vacuum pump for collecting exudates from a wound site, wherein the at least two programs are pump-operating programs for controlling operation of the pump.

17. A portable medical device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said plurality of pump-operating programs includes a first pump-operating program, in which the vacuum pump creates a continuous negative pressure at a wound site, and a second pump-operating program, in which the vacuum pump creates intermittent negative pressure at the wound site.

18. A docking unit on which a portable medical device can be removably mounted, where the medical device includes a controller programmed to selectively execute at least two programs for controlling operation of the medical device, the docking unit comprising:

an operator interface for selecting a program from said at least two programs,

wherein the docking unit is configured to communicate with the controller of the medical device when the medical device is mounted on the docking unit to instruct the controller to execute the selected program.

19. A docking unit as set forth in claim 18 further including a signal generator for generating a signal that is detectable by a sensor in the medical device when the medical device is mounted on the docking unit.

20. A docking unit as set forth in claim 18, wherein the signal generator comprises at least one permanent magnet generating a magnetic field, the permanent magnet being movable in the docking unit between a detection position in which the sensor in the medical device detects the magnetic field, and a non-detection position in which the sensor does not detect the magnetic field.

21. A docking unit as set forth in claim 20, wherein said signal generator comprises a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on a plurality of independently rotatable disks, wherein each rotatable disk is independently moveable.

22. A docking unit as set forth in claim 19 wherein the signal generator comprises an electromagnet for generating a magnetic field as a function of an applied current signal.