Docking station for a patient monitoring system

• US 6,183,417 B1
• Filed: 03/09/1995
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Draeger Medical Systems Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Maschke, Michael, Geheb, Frederick J., Kelly, Clifford Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): MCELHENY JR, DONALD E
• Application Number:
  US08/401,332
• Time in Patent Office: 2,161 Days
• Field of Search: 364/413.02, 364/403.03, 364/413.05, 364/413.06, 128/710, 600/300, 600/301
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A docking station for a portable patient monitor is adapted for use in a system which includes a communications network and, optionally, a bedside display. The portable monitor is coupled to sensors for receiving patient data signals. The docking station includes a platform that can be conveniently located near the patient. The platform has a detachable mounting which holds the portable monitor. When the portable monitor is mounted on the docking station platform, it receives power from the docking station. At the same time, the docking station receives patient data from the portable monitor and transfers the data to the communications network. The docking station is also coupled, via the communications network, to a plurality of input and output devices when it is mounted on the docking station. A second example of the docking station includes a power supply and network (PSN) box that is mounted to a wall or other fixed surface. The docking station platform receives power and network services from the PSN box. The PSN box may be detached from the wall and attached directly to the monitor for semi-permanent installation of the monitor.

Claims

1. Docking station apparatus adapted for use in a continuous patient monitoring system wherein the patient may be located within a first patient monitoring area, or transported out of said first patient monitoring area and into a second patient monitoring area remote from said first patient monitoring area, said system including a portable monitor adapted for being battery powered and coupled to a plurality of sensors, said monitor including means for continuously receiving, processing and displaying in real-time, patient physiological data signals provided by the sensors irrespective of said patient being located within said first or said second patient monitoring areas or being transported therebetween, and a communications network having an interface connection which is located in a relatively fixed position within said first and said second patient monitoring areas, the docking station apparatus including first and second docking station platforms, one in each of said first and second patient monitoring areas, respectively, each docking station platform comprising:

(a) mounting means for detachably coupling the portable monitor to the docking station platform so as to provide physical support for said portable monitor when it is mounted on said docking station platform;

(b) means for continuously receiving from the portable monitor in real-time patient physiological data received by the portable monitor when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform; and

(c) means for continuously transferring the received patient physiological data to the interface connection of the communications network when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform,

wherein said portable monitor continuously receives, processes and displays said patient physiological data while said portable monitor is being connected to and disconnected from the docking station platform, said connecting and disconnecting being accomplished without handling any individual cables or connectors.

2. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for transferring the patient data to a computer workstation by way of the communications network when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform.

3. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for providing power from the docking station to the portable monitor when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform.

4. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 2, in which the mounting means include:

at least one latch which secures the portable monitor to the docking station platform, preventing vertical motion between the docking station platform and the portable monitor while the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform; and

at least one vertical pin which prevents horizontal motion between the portable monitor and the docking station platform while the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform.

5. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 2, in which the mounting means include:

at least one latch which prevents the portable monitor from being lifted off of the docking station platform while the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform; and

a vertically mounted electrical connector which prevents sideways motion between the portable monitor and the docking station platform while the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform.

6. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of serial ports which receive input signals from a respective plurality of input devices;

means for coupling the serial ports to the portable monitor when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform and for transmitting the input signals to the portable monitor.

7. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, wherein the portable monitor has a battery and a battery charger, and the docking station platform includes means for causing the battery charger to charge the battery when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform.

8. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 7, wherein the portable monitor has means for detachably mounting the battery to the portable monitor, and said docking station platform includes:

a power supply and network (PSN) box, comprising;

means for electrically coupling the PSN box to the portable monitor, and

means for attaching the PSN box to the battery mounting means of the portable monitor when the battery is not mounted on the battery mounting means.

9. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving an alarm signal from the portable monitor when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform; and

means responsive to the alarm signal receiving means for transmitting an alarm activation signal to an alarm device.

10. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1 in which a plurality of input devices are coupled to the communications network, the docking station platform further comprising means for transferring input signals from the communications network to the portable monitor when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform.

11. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 10, wherein the plurality of input devices includes a voice recognition device.

12. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 10, wherein the plurality of input devices includes a bar code reader.

13. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 10, wherein the plurality of input devices includes a remote control device which controls operation of the portable monitor.

14. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 10, wherein the plurality of input devices includes a keyboard.

15. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1 in which a plurality of output devices are coupled to the communications network, the docking station platform further comprising means for transferring output signals from the portable monitor to the communications network when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform.

16. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 15, wherein the plurality of output devices includes a label printer.

17. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a demultiplexer which separates the patient data received from the portable monitor into a plurality of output signals;

means for converting the plurality of output signals into a plurality of analog signals; and

means for transmitting the plurality of analog signals to a plurality of analog output devices.

18. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for generating and transmitting a synchronization signal to a defibrillator.

19. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for attaching the docking station to an intravenous pole.

20. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for attaching the docking station to the patient'"'"'s bed.

21. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for transferring the patient data between the portable monitor and a plurality of remote stations by way of the communications network when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station platform.

22. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 1, further including:

a power supply and network (PSN) box, comprising;

(1) attaching means for attaching the portable monitor to the PSN box,

(2) means for receiving patient data at the PSN box from the portable monitor directly when the portable monitor is attached to the PSN box, and means for receiving patient data at the PSN box from the portable monitor by way of the docking station platform platform when the portable monitor is mounted on the docking station platform, and

(3) means for transferring the received patient data to the communications network.

23. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 22, further comprising:

means for providing power from the PSN box to the portable monitor by way of the docking station platform when the portable monitor is mounted on the docking station platform platform; and

means for providing power from the PSN box to the portable monitor directly when the portable monitor is attached to the PSN box.

24. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 22, wherein the attaching means include means for electrically coupling the portable monitor and the PSN box.

25. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 22, wherein the portable monitor has a battery and means for mounting the battery on the portable monitor, and

wherein the attaching means of the PSN box include means for attaching the PSN box to the battery mounting means of the portable monitor when the battery is not mounted on the battery mounting means.

27. A docking station platform in accordance with claim 23, further comprising means for transferring power from the docking station to the portable monitor when the portable monitor is coupled with the docking station.

34. A docking station in accordance with claim 23, wherein said portable monitor stores patient data when it is not coupled to said docking station, and when coupled to said docking station, transfers said stored patient data to said communication network via said first and second coupling means.

26. A system for acquiring a continuous history of medical data from a plurality of sensors attached to a patient, adapted for use in at least first and second patient monitoring areas and during transport therebetween, each of said areas including at a relatively fixed location an interface for a patient data communications network, the system comprising:

a portable monitor adapted for being battery powered and coupled to the plurality of sensors, said monitor including means for continuously receiving, processing and displaying in real-time, patient physiological data signals provided from the plurality of sensors; and

a docking station located at said relatively fixed location in said first and second patient monitoring areas, each docking station comprising;

first coupling means for detachably coupling the portable monitor with the docking station so as to provide an electrical connection between said portable monitor and said docking station without handling any individual cables or connectors,

second coupling means for coupling the docking station to a power source and to the communications network, and

transferring means for transferring in real-time patient physiological data received in real-time by said portable monitor from the portable monitor to the communications network, and power from said power source to said portable monitor, via said first and second coupling means, when said portable monitor is coupled with said docking stations,

wherein said portable monitor continuously receives, processes and displays said patient physiological data signals while said portable monitor is being connected to and disconnected from the docking station.

28. A docking station in accordance with claim 26, in which the first coupling means includes:

at least one latch which secures the portable monitor to the docking station, preventing vertical motion between the docking station and the portable monitor while the portable monitor is coupled with the docking station; and

at least one vertical pin which prevents horizontal motion between the portable monitor and the docking station while the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station.

29. A docking station in accordance with claim 28, in which the first coupling means includes:

at least one latch which prevents the portable monitor from being lifted off of the docking station while the portable monitor is coupled with the docking station; and

a vertically mounted electrical connector which prevents sideways motion between the portable monitor and the docking station while the portable monitor is coupled with the docking station.

30. A docking station in accordance with claim 26, wherein said communication network comprises a plurality of serial ports which receive input signals from a respective plurality of input devices;

and

said transferring means comprises means for coupling the serial ports to the portable monitor when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station for transmitting the input signals to the portable monitor.

31. A docking station in accordance with claim 26, wherein the portable monitor includes a battery and a battery charger, and the docking station includes means for transferring power from said power source to said portable monitor for causing the battery charger to charge the battery when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station.

32. A docking station in accordance with claim 31, wherein the portable monitor has means for detachably mounting the battery to the portable monitor, and said docking station includes:

a power supply and network (PSN) box, comprising;

means for electrically coupling the PSN box to the portable monitor, and

means for attaching the PSN box to the battery mounting means of the portable monitor when the battery is not mounted on the battery mounting means.

33. A docking station in accordance with claim 26, wherein a plurality of output devices are coupled to the communications network, and the transferring means further comprises means for transferring output signals from the portable monitor to said output devices via the communications network when the portable monitor is coupled to the docking station.