Hygienic input device for medical information systems

• US 7,274,290 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2006
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morita, Mark M., Rai, Khal A., Fors, Steven L
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US11/432,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20060209030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.12, 340/539.1, 340/573.1, 340/691.1, 340/691.6, 379/21, 750/3, 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 345/173
• US Class Current: 340/539.12
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A system for hygienic input of data into a medical information system is provided. In one embodiment of the system, a computer terminal, a mobile wireless input tray, a mobile wireless interactive visual display system, and a wireless headset are used. During a medical procedure, the mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset may be positioned in an operating room near a surgeon or other medical practitioner. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset may be used to access patient medical information through the computer terminal. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset communicate amongst and between each other through wireless communication links. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset communicate with the computer terminal through wireless communication links.

Claims

1. A medical information system including:

a mobile input tray, wherein said mobile input tray is adapted to maintain a sterile hygienic environment, said mobile input tray including;

a portable power supply for providing power to said mobile input tray;

a sensor for detecting input at said mobile input tray; and

a wireless communication link;

a computer terminal, wherein said mobile input tray transmits data to said computer terminal through said wireless communication link; and

a headset, wherein said headset transmits data to said computer terminal through a wireless communication link.

2. The medical information system of claim 1 further including a mobile display system, wherein said mobile display system receives medical information from said computer terminal through a wireless communication link and displays said medical information.

3. The medical information system of claim 2 including a portable power supply mounted on said mobile display system for providing power to said mobile display system.

4. The medical information system of claim 1 further including a projector that projects a virtual keyboard onto a surface of said mobile input tray.

5. The medical information system of claim 4 wherein a user positions fingers of said user within said projected virtual keyboard to enter data.

6. The medical information system of claim 5 wherein said projector includes a sensor for sensing the location of the fingers of said user.

7. The medical information system of claim 1 wherein said wireless communication link between said mobile input tray and said local computer terminal is a WiFi communication link.

8. The medical information system of claim 1 wherein said wireless communication link between said mobile input tray and said local computer terminal is a Bluetooth communication link.

9. The medical information system of claim 1 wherein said computer terminal processes said data from said mobile input tray and accesses a remote data storage unit to at least one of retrieve requested medical information from said remote data storage and store medical information at said remote data storage.

10. A medical information system including:

a mobile input tray, wherein said mobile input tray is adapted to maintain a sterile hygienic environment, said mobile input tray including;

a portable power supply for providing power to said mobile input tray;

a sensor for detecting input at said mobile input tray; and

a wireless communication link;

a computer terminal, wherein said mobile input tray transmits data to said computer terminal through said wireless communication link;

a mobile display system, wherein said mobile display system receives medical information from said computer terminal through a wireless communication link and displays said medical information; and

motion sensing cameras mounted on said mobile display system, wherein said motion sensing cameras detect motion of a medical information system user and transmit motion data associated with said motion to said local computer through said wireless communication link.

11. A method for transferring data in a medical information system including:

providing a computer terminal, wherein said computer terminal provides access to medical information;

providing a mobile input tray, wherein said mobile input tray is adapted to allow hygienic input to contribute to maintenance of a sterile environment during a medical procedure;

transmitting data from a mobile input tray to said computer terminal through a wireless communication link; and

transmitting data to said computer terminal from a headset, wherein said headset transmits data through a wireless communication link.

12. The method of claim 11 including displaying medical information on a mobile display system, wherein said mobile display system receives medical information from said computer terminal through a wireless communication link.

13. The method of claim 12 including supplying power to said mobile display system with a portable power supply mounted on said mobile display system.

14. The method of claim 11 including projecting a virtual keyboard onto a surface of said mobile input tray using a projector.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein a user positions fingers of said user within said projected virtual keyboard to enter data.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said projector includes a sensor for sensing the location of the fingers of said user.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein said wireless communication link between said mobile input tray and said local computer terminal is a WiFi communication link.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein said wireless communication link between said mobile input tray and said local computer terminal is a Bluetooth communication link.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising accessing a remote data storage unit to at least one of retrieve requested medical information from said remote data storage and store medical information at said remote data storage.

20. A method for transferring data in a medical information system including:

providing a computer terminal, wherein said computer terminal provides access to medical information;

providing a mobile input tray, wherein said mobile input tray is adapted to allow hygienic input to contribute to maintenance of a sterile environment during a medical procedure;

transmitting data from a mobile input tray to said computer terminal through a wireless communication link;

displaying medical information on a mobile display system, wherein said mobile display system receives medical information from said computer terminal through a wireless communication link;

sensing motion of a medical information system user with motion sensing cameras mounted on said mobile display system; and

transmitting motion data associated with said motion to said local computer through a wireless communication link.