Wireless Medical Gases Management System

• US 20110061648A1
• Filed: 11/22/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franck-Stephane Durtschi, Olivier J. Cadet
• Original Assignee: Franck-Stephane Durtschi, Olivier J. Cadet
• Inventors: Cadet, Olivier J., Durtschi, Franck-Stephane
• Granted Patent: US 8,253,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/84 for treating several patients simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/60 for the operation of medical equipment or devices

Abstract

The present invention generally provides methods and systems for managing a medical gas system by using wireless sensors located at the point of use. In one embodiment, a wireless sensor is fixed to a gas outlet, and is configured to measure gas flow, and to detect whether the gas outlet is connected to a medical device. The gas flow and connection data is included in a wireless signal that is transmitted to a remote server. The data received by the server may be analyzed to determine if any local or system leaks are occurring. In addition, the data may be used to monitor patient therapies, to calculate costs, and to determine replenishment points.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the use of medical gases in a wireless medical gas management system, comprising:

providing at least one medical gas source, at least one medical device, at least one medical gas outlet that is configured to connect to and supply medical gas from the at least one medical gas source to at least one medical device, a plurality of medical gas conduits configured to distribute the medical gas from the at least one medical gas source to each of the medical gas outlets, and at least one wireless flow sensor fixed to the medical gas conduits;

receiving, from the wireless flow sensor fixed to the medical gas conduit, a wireless signal indicating the presence of a flow of gas through the medical gas conduit, wherein the medical gas conduit carries gas to the gas outlet;

determining whether the medical device is properly connected to the gas outlet; and

if not, generating an alert communicating the existence of a potential leak at the gas outlet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that a medical device is properly connected to the outlet comprises:

receiving, from a connection sensor fixed to the outlet, a wireless signal indicative of a status of the connection of the medical device to the outlet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless signal also indicates a flow rate of gas through the conduit, and further comprising:

determining whether the flow rate of gas is outside a predetermined range of acceptable flow rates; and

if so, generating an alert communicating the existence of an abnormal flow rate at the outlet.

4. A method for monitoring the use of medical gases in a wireless medical gas management system, comprising:

providing at least one medical gas source, at least one medical gas outlet, a plurality of medical gas conduits configured to distribute the medical gas from the at least one medical gas source to each of the medical gas outlets, and at least one wireless flow sensor fixed to the medical gas conduits;

receiving, from a flow sensor fixed to a medical gas conduit, a wireless signal indicating a flow rate of gas through the conduit, wherein the conduit carries gas from at least one medical gas source to a gas outlet; and

calculating, from the flow rate of gas, a total amount of gas used at the outlet over a given period.

5. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor, performs a method, comprising:

receiving, from a flow sensor that is fixed to a medical gas conduit configured to distribute medical gas from at least one medical gas source to at least one medical gas outlet a wireless signal indicating the presence of a flow of gas through the conduit, wherein the conduit carries the gas to the gas outlet;

determining whether a medical device is properly connected to the gas outlet; and

if not, generating an alert communicating the existence of a potential leak at the gas outlet.

6. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein determining that a medical device is properly connected to the outlet comprises:

receiving, from a connection sensor fixed to the outlet, a wireless signal indicative of a status of the connection of the medical device to the outlet.

7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein the wireless signal also indicates a flow rate of gas through the conduit, and further comprising:

determining whether the flow rate of gas is outside a predetermined range of operating flow rates; and

if so, generating an alert communicating the existence of an abnormal flow rate at the outlet.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 7, further comprising:

calculating, from the flow rate of gas, a total amount of gas used at the gas outlet over a given period of time.

9. A method for monitoring the use of medical gases in a wireless medical gas management system, comprising:

providing at least one medical gas source, at least one ventilator, at least one medical gas outlet that is configured to connect to and supply medical gas from the at least one medical gas source to at least one ventilator, a plurality of medical gas conduits configured to distribute the medical gas from the at least one medical gas source to each of the medical gas outlets, and at least one wireless flow sensor fixed to the medical gas conduits;

receiving, from the wireless flow sensor fixed to the medical gas conduit, a wireless signal indicating the presence of a flow of gas through the medical gas conduit, wherein the medical gas conduit carries gas to the gas outlet;

determining whether the ventilator is properly connected to the gas outlet; and

if not, generating an alert communicating the existence of a potential leak at the gas outlet.