Warning system and method for monitoring the availability of medical aids for a patient

• US 7,132,940 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Mankopf, Michael, Ehben, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan, Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US10/930,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20050057356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.1, 340/539.21, 340/539.23, 340/686, 340/309.16, 340612- 7, 340/825, 340/686.6, 128/898
• US Class Current: 340/539.21
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0258 System arrangements wherein both parent and child units can emit and receive
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring the availability of medical aids for a patient. A first signal transmitter is mounted on the aid for transmitting first electromagnetic signals. A second signal transmitter is worn by the patient and has a warning device for outputting a warning signal which can be perceived by the patient. A receiving unit receives the first electromagnetic signals transmitted by the transmission unit. A control unit actuates the warning device to output the warning signal when the first electromagnetic signal is received and when a predetermined reception strength for the first electromagnetic signal is undershot and when a particular item of information associated with an operative state of the medical aid is transmitted with the first electromagnetic is received.

Claims

1. A warning system for monitoring the availability of medical aids for a patient, comprising:

a first signal transceiver mounted on the aid or on a container for the aid or integrated in the aid or container and including a transmission unit for transmitting first electromagnetic signals,

and a second signal transceiver worn by the patient comprising;

a warning device for outputting a warning signal perceivable by the patient,

a receiving unit for receiving the first electromagnetic signals transmitted by the transmission unit in the first signal transceiver,

and a control unit for actuating the warning device to output the warning signal upon receipt of the first electromagnetic signals from the first signal transceiver having a reception signal strength below a threshold value and a particular item of information associated with the medical aid is transmitted with the first electromagnetic signals.

2. The warning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the first signal transceiver has a control unit for actuating the transmission unit.

3. The warning system as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the first signal transceiver comprises one or more sensors connected to the control unit for detecting an operative state of the medical aid.

4. The warning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the transmission unit in the first signal transceiver transmits the first electromagnetic signals at regular intervals of time.

5. The warning system as claimed in claim 3, wherein

the second signal transceiver comprises a transmission unit for transmitting second electromagnetic signals, and the first signal transceiver comprises a reception unit connected to the control unit for receiving the second electromagnetic signals transmitted by the transmission unit in the second signal transceiver, wherein the first transceiver control unit actuates the first transceiver transmission unit to transmit a response signal when the second electromagnetic signals are received.

6. The warning system as claimed in claim 5, wherein

the transmission unit in the second signal transceiver transmits the second electromagnetic signals at regular intervals of time.

7. The warning system as claimed in claim 6 wherein

the control unit in the first signal transceiver transmits an item of information with the response signal, wherein the item of information represents a state of the aid detectable by a sensor.

8. The warning system as claimed in claim 7, wherein

the control unit in the second signal transceiver actuates the warning device upon receiving a response signal which contains an item of information about an irregular or incorrect state of the aid.

9. The warning system as claimed in claim 3, wherein

the control unit in the first signal transceiver, upon detection of an irregular or incorrect state of the aid, actuates the transmission unit in the first transceiver to transmit at least one of the first electromagnetic signals and an item of information transmitted with the first electromagnetic signals about the irregular or incorrect operative state of the aid.

10. The warning system as claimed in claim 9, wherein

the control unit in each of the first and second signal transceivers comprises a time comparison device for prompting the output of a warning signal at least one of during and at a predetermined interval of rime before a time linked to the aid is reached.

11. The warning system as claimed in claim 10, wherein

the second signal transceiver is miniaturized such that the second transceiver is worn by the patient in the form of a ring or other comparably small piece of jewelry.

12. The warning system as claimed in claim 11, wherein

the first signal transceiver is miniaturized for packaging together with medicaments in a medicament pack.

13. The warning system as claimed in claim 12, wherein

the second signal transceiver has a wireless interface for communicating with an external transmission device for transmitting a warning message to other people.

14. The warning system as claimed in claim 13, wherein

the first signal transceiver is produced using polymer electronic circuitry.

15. A method for monitoring the availability of medical aids for a patient comprising the activities of:

transmitting first electromagnetic signals from a first signal transceiver mounted on the aid or on a container for the aid, or integrated in the aid or container,

receiving the electromagnetic signals transmitted by the transmission unit in the first signal transceiver with a second signal transceiver carried by the patient, and

outputting a warning signal which is perceivable by the patient upon receipt of the first electromagnetic signals having a signal reception strength below a threshold value and including a particular item of information associated with the medical aid transmitted with the first electromagnetic signals.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the activity of

transmitting the first electromagnetic signals at regular intervals of time.

17. The method of claim 15, further including the activities of

transmitting second electromagnetic signals by the second signal transceiver, receiving the second electromagnetic signals by the first signal transceiver, and transmitting a response signal by the first signal transceiver when second electromagnetic signals are received.

18. The method of claim 17, further including the activity of

transmitting the second electromagnetic signals at regular intervals of time.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, further including the activity of

detecting a state of the aid using one or more sensors in the first signal transceiver.

20. The method of claim 19 further including the activity of

incorporating an item of information concerning the state of the aid into the response signal.

21. The method of claim 20, further including the activity of

outputting a warning signal with the second signal transceiver when a response signal signaling an irregular or incorrect state of the aid is received from the first signal transceiver.

22. The method of claim 19, further including the activity of

transmitting first electromagnetic signals with an item of information about the irregular or incorrect state of the aid with the first electromagnetic signals upon detection of an irregular or incorrect state of the aid.

23. The method of claim 22, further including the activity of

comparing a present time with a time linked to the aid, and outputting a warning signal with the second signal transceiver at a predetermined period before the time linked to the aid is reached.

24. The method of claim 23, further including the activity of

is packaging the first signal transceiver together with medicaments in a medicament pack.

25. The method of claim 24, further including the activity of

establishing a connection with the second signal transmitter via a wireless interface to an external reception device when a warning signal occurs and uses the external reception device to transmit a warning message to one or more other people.