Biodata interfacing system

• US 6,575,904 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PHC Holdings Corporation
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kato, Motomichi, Enguchi, Itaru, Tanaka, Toshiyuki, Akai, Naruaki, Nishikawa, Masanori, Sekiya, Kiyoshi, Nagamoto, Shunichi, Hotta, Minoru, Kikukawa, Masaru, Nagai, Kazutoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCrosky, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/847,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20010047126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/454, 128/903, 128/904, 248/920, 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 348/42, 396/263, 206/499, 206/569, 206/570, 361/681, 361/683
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/226 comprising means for identifying the connector, e.g. to prevent incorrect connection to socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry

Abstract

A biodata interfacing device includes a service console, an attachment storage compartment defined in the service console for accommodating a variety of sensors used for collecting biodata, a lid mounted on the service console for opening and closing a top opening of the attachment storage compartment, and a display unit formed on an upper surface of the lid.

Claims

1. A biodata interfacing device comprising:

a service console;

an attachment storage compartment defined in said service console for accommodating a at least one senor that are to be used for collecting biodata, said attachment storage compartment having a top opening;

a lid mounted on said service console for movement between a first position at which said top opening of said attachment storage compartment is closed by said lid and a second position at which said top opening of said attachment storage compartment is not closed by said lid, said lid having oppositely facing upper and lower surfaces, with said lower surface facing said attachment storage compartment when said lid is at said first position; and

a display unit on said upper surface of said lid.

2. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 1, wherein said lid is configured to be inclined downwardly towards a position of a user of the biodata interfacing device when said lid is at said first position.

3. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 2, wherein said service console includes a terminal unit through which sensors positioned externally of said service console are to communicate with said service console, said terminal unit being provided on an upper surface of said service console.

4. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 3, wherein said terminal unit is in a recess defined in an end face of said service console.

5. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 2, wherein said lid is mounted on said service console via a hinged connection about which said lid is to pivot relative to said service console.

6. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 5, wherein said hinged connection includes a damping mechanism.

7. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 6, wherein said lid has a sectional shape representing a generally hill-like shape with a vertex defined and positioned forwardly of said hinged connection, with front and rear regions of said upper surface of said lid on respective sides of said vertex being inclined downwardly from said vertex, wherein said display unit is on said front region of said upper surface of said lid.

8. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 5, wherein said lid includes a projection that is operable to interfere with said service console to limit pivotal movement of said lid before said lid is pivoted to a limit defined by said hinged connection.

9. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 5, wherein said service console includes a projection that is operable to interfere with said lid to limit pivotal movement of said lid before said lid is pivoted to a limit defined by said hinged connection.

10. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 2, further comprising an instrument canister to accommodate therein the at least one sensor, such that said instrument canister enables the at least one senor to be accommodated within said attachment storage compartment in an arrangement of the at least one sensor as accommodated within said instrument canister.

11. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 2, wherein said display unit has a surface on which is provided a touch operating panel.

12. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 2, further comprising a recess for passage therethrough of a connection line leading from the at least one sensor to exterior of the biodata interfacing device.

13. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 2, further comprising a recess in an end face of said service console for passage therethrough of connection line leading from the at least one sensor to exterior of the biodata interfacing device.

14. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 1, wherein said display unit has a surface on which is provided a touch operating panel.

15. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 1, further comprising a recess for passage therethrough of a connection line leading from the at least one sensor to exterior of the biodata interfacing device.

16. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 1, further comprising a recess in an end face of said service console for passage therethrough of a connection line, leading from the at least one senor to exterior of the biodata interfacing device.

17. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 1, further comprising an instrument canister to accommodate therein the least one senor, such that said instrument canister enables the at least one sensor to be accommodated within said attachment storage compartment in an arrangement of the variety of sensors as accommodated within said instrument canister.

18. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, wherein said instrument canister includes pocket defined therein of a shape corresponding to a contour of the at least one sensor so as to receive therein the at least one sensors.

19. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, wherein said instrument canister has a configuration corresponding to a combination of sensors for measuring data that may be necessary depending on symptoms of a user, and is replaceable by another instrument canister depending on symptoms of the user.

20. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, wherein said instrument canister comprises one in-box tray or plural in-box trays each corresponding to a combination of sensors for measuring data that may be necessary depending on symptoms of a user, said instrument canister being capable of being accommodated within said attachment storage compartment.

21. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, wherein said instrument canister includes at least one pair of grooves, and further comprising partitioning structure removably engageable within said at least one pair of grooves to change a shape of a partition room.

22. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, wherein said instrument canister has at least a portion thereof that is capable of being stacked in a direction heightwise thereof.

23. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, wherein a space is defined within said service console between said instrument canister and at least one surface that defines said attachment storage compartment for relieving heat conduction from said service console.

24. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, wherein said instrument canister includes a handle for facilitation of removal thereof from said attachment storage compartment.

25. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, wherein said instrument canister includes identifying structure for identifying a type of said instrument canister, and further comprising:

a reading device provided in said service console for reading said identifying structure; and

a mode override device for changing a mode of operation of the biodata interfacing device according to a result of reading of said identifying structure by said reading device.

26. The biodata interfacing device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

a main control unit;

sensors for collecting biodata from a patient and converting the biodata into physical signals;

a terminal unit including connecting terminals corresponding to said sensors, respectively, and for transmitting the biodata therefrom to said main control unit; and

light emitting diodes adjacent said connecting terminals,

wherein said main control unit includes an operating unit and a display unit which are accessible to a user for performing manipulation, such that when the user selects one of said sensors via said operating unit, said main control unit causes said display unit to activate one of said light emitting diodes that corresponds to said one of said sensors.

27. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 26,

wherein each of the said sensors comprises a sensor body and a connecting cable for electrically connecting said sensor body with a respective one of said connecting terminals, and has at least a portion thereof being of a predetermined color, and

wherein said terminal unit has portions adjacent said connecting terminals that are of different colors relative to one another, with a color of one of said connecting terminals corresponding to a color of said at least a portion of a respective one of said sensors.

28. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 26, wherein

said sensors have connecting cables, respectively, with said connecting cables being of different shapes relative to one another, and

said connecting terminals of said terminal unit have different shapes relative to one another,

with the different shapes of said connecting cables corresponding to the different shapes of said connecting terminals such that only when the shape of one of said connecting cables and the shape of one of said connecting terminals match with each other, can said one of said connecting cables and said one of said connecting terminals be electrically connected together.

29. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 17, further comprising a camera unit detachably provided on an outer surface of the biodata interfacing device.

30. The biodata interfacing device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

a main control unit;

sensors for collecting biodata from a patient and converting the biodata into physical signals; and

a terminal unit including connecting terminals corresponding to said sensors, respectively, and for transmitting the biodata therefrom to said main control unit,

wherein said main control unit includes an operating unit and a display unit which are accessible to a user for performing manipulation, such that when the user selects one of said sensors via said operating unit, said main control unit causes said display unit to provide the user with an indication of one of said connecting terminals that corresponds to said one of said sensors.

31. The biodata interfacing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a main control unit;

sensors for collecting biodata from a patient and converting the biodata into physical signals;

a terminal unit including connecting terminals corresponding to said sensors, respectively, and for transmitting the biodata therefrom to said main control unit; and

light emitting diodes adjacent said connecting terminals,

wherein said main control unit includes an operating unit and a display unit which are accessible to a user for performing manipulation, such that when the user selects one of said sensors via said operating unit, said main control unit causes said display unit to activate one of said light emitting diodes that corresponds to said one of said sensors.

32. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 1, further comprising a camera unit detachably provided on an outer surface of the biodata interfacing device.

33. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 32, further comprising a microphone provided in said service console.

34. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 33, wherein said microphone is capable of receiving both a human voice and a voice signal from a sensor positioned in the vicinity of said microphone.

35. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 33, wherein said microphone is enclosed by an elastic member which is fixed inside said service console.

36. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 33, further comprising a support member in front of said microphone for supporting a sensor for outputting a voice signal.

37. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 36, wherein said support member in front of said microphone is removable or slidable according to a shape of the sensor for outputting the voice signal.

38. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 32, wherein said camera unit is pivotable at a mounting area on an outer surface of said service console.

39. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 32,

wherein said camera unit includes a grip by which a user can hold said camera unit when said camera unit is detached from said outer surface of the biodata interfacing device, and

wherein detachment of said camera unit from the biodata interfacing device is to be carried out by removing said grip of said camera unit from engagement with said outer surface of the biodata interfacing device.

40. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 39, wherein said camera unit is pivotally engaged with said grip.

41. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 40, wherein said grip is of a generally cylindrical shape and is engageable with said outer surface of the biodata interfacing device via a recess formed in an outer surface of said service console.

42. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 39, wherein said camera unit comprises a camera body and a camera support, with said camera body being removably mounted on said camera support.

43. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 42, wherein said instrument storage compartment can accommodate therein at least one of said camera body, said camera support and said grip.

44. The biodata interfacing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a main control unit;

sensors for collecting biodata from a patient and converting the biodata into physical signals; and

a terminal unit including connecting terminals corresponding to said sensors, respectively, and for transmitting the biodata therefrom to said main control unit,

wherein said main control unit includes an operating unit and a display unit which are accessible to a user for performing manipulation, such that when the user selects one of said sensors via said operating unit, said main control unit causes said display unit to provide the user with an indication of one of said connecting terminals that corresponds to said one of said sensors.

45. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 44, further comprising colored indicators disposed adjacent said connecting terminals and corresponding to said connecting terminals, respectively, and

wherein said main control unit has a function of informing the user via said display unit of one of said colored indicators that corresponds to a selected sensor.

46. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 44,

wherein each of the said sensors comprises a sensor body and a connecting cable for electrically connecting said sensor body with a respective one of said connecting terminals, and has at least a portion thereof being of a predetermined color, and

wherein said terminal unit has portions adjacent said connecting terminals that are of different colors relative to one another, with a color of one of said connecting terminals corresponding to a color of said at least a portion of a respective one of said sensors.

47. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 44, wherein

said sensors have connecting cables, respectively, with said connecting cables being of different shapes relative to one another, and

said connecting terminals of said terminal unit have different shapes relative to one another,

with the different shapes of said connecting cables corresponding to the different shapes of said connecting terminals such that only when the shape of one of said connecting cables and the shape of one of said connecting terminals match with each other, can said one of said connecting cables and said one of said connecting terminals be electrically connected together.

48. A biodata interfacing device comprising:

a main control unit;

measuring instruments for collecting biodata from a patient and converting the biodata into physical signals;

a terminal unit including connecting terminals corresponding to said measuring instruments, respectively, and for transmitting the biodata therefrom to said main control unit; and

an operating unit and a voice output unit through which a user is to communicate with said main control unit,

such that when the user selects one of said measuring instruments via said operating unit, said main control unit cause of said voice output unit to provide the user with an audio indication of one of said connecting terminals that corresponds to said one of said measuring instruments.

49. The biodata interfacing device according to claim 48, wherein

said sensors have connecting cables, respectively, with said connecting cables being of different shapes relative to one another, and

said connecting terminals of said terminal unit have different shapes relative to one another,

with the different shapes of said connecting cables corresponding to the different shapes of said connecting terminals such that only when the shape of one of said connecting cables and the shape of one of said connecting terminals match with each other, can said one of said connecting cables and said one of said connecting terminals be electrically connected together.

50. A biodata interfacing device comprising:

a service console;

an attachment storage compartment defined in said service console for accommodating a variety of sensors used for collecting biodata;

a lid mounted on said service console for opening and closing a top opening of said attachment storage compartment;

an instrument canister to accommodate therein the variety of sensors, such that said instrument canister enables the variety of sensors to be accommodated within said attachment storage compartment in an arrangement of the variety of sensors as accommodated within said instrument canister;

identifying structure on said instrument canister for identifying a type of said instrument canister;

a reading device provided in said service console for reading said identifying structure; and

a mode override device for changing a mode of operation of the biodata interfacing device according to a result of reading of said identifying structure by said reading device.

51. A biodata interfacing device comprising:

a service console;

an attachment storage compartment defined in said service console for accommodating a variety of sensors that are to be used for collecting biodata;

a lid mounted on said service console for opening and closing a top opening of said attachment storage compartment;

a display unit on said upper surface of said lid; and

a camera unit detachably provided on an outer surface of said service console,

wherein said instrument storage compartment is capable of accommodating therein at least one of a camera body, a camera support and a holder of said camera unit.

52. A biodata interfacing device comprising:

a service console;

an attachment storage compartment defined in said service console for accommodating a variety of sensors that are to be used for collecting biodata;

a lid mounted on said service console for opening and closing a top opening of said attachment storage compartment;

a display unit on said upper surface of said lid;

a camera unit detachably provided on an outer surface of said service console;

a microphone provided in said service console; and

a support member in front of said microphone for supporting a sensor for outputting a voice signal.

53. The biodata interfacing according to claim 52, wherein said support member in front of said microphone is removable or slidable according to a shape of the sensor for outputting the voice signal.