High-availability wireless operator control device for medical systems

• US 7,471,985 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Kagermeier, Robert, Medlar, Donal, Krause, Michael, Sierk, Dietmar
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heller; Tammie K.
• Application Number:
  US10/866,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20050004630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 128/903, 128/904, 607/30, 607/32, 607/60
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

An apparatus for medical diagnosis and therapy systems has at least one operator control device generating at least one control signal corresponding to at least one function of the apparatus, a control unit for converting the at least one control signal into the at least one function of the medical apparatus, a signal transmission device for wireless transmission of the at least one control signal from the at least one operator control device to the control unit of the medical apparatus, and at least one console adapted for detachably engaging the at least one control device. The signal transmission device has at least one first transmission unit in communication with the at least one operator control device and at least one second transmission unit in communication with the control unit. At least one interference-free transmission path is established when the at least one control device is engaged with the at least one console.

Claims

1. A system for medical diagnosis or therapy, the system comprising:

an apparatus for medical diagnosis or therapy system, the apparatus including a control unit operable to convert at least one control signal into at least one function of the apparatus;

at least one operator control device operable to generate the at least one control signal corresponding to the at least one function of the apparatus;

a signal transmission device for wireless transmission of the at least one control signal from the at least one operator control device to the control unit; and

at least one console adapted for detachably engaging the at least one control device, the at least one console being attached to the apparatus,

wherein the signal transmission device has at least one first transmission unit in communication with the at least one operator control device and at least one second transmission unit in communication with the control unit, and

wherein a wireless transmission path is between the at least one operator control device and the at least one console, the wireless transmission path being a substantially interference-free transmission path inside a shielded conduit between the at least one operator control device and at least one console.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a waveguide for transmitting electromagnetic waves is the shielded conduit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein an optical waveguide is the shielded conduit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one console has an antenna for inductive energy transmission.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one console and the at least one operator control device, when engaged with each other, form a second transmission path for the inductive transmission of electrical energy for supplying current to the operator control device.

6. The system of claims 1, wherein the at least one console is connected to the operator control device via a cable.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a transmission control unit is provided for controlling the wireless transmission path.

8. The of claim 7, wherein the transmission control unit convert an electromagnetic signal transmission of the at least one console to an optical or galvanic signal transmission when the at least one operator control device is engaged with the corresponding at least one console.

9. The system of to claim 8, wherein, when the at least one operator control device is engaged with the at least one console, the transmission control unit switches off transmission paths corresponding to consoles that are not engaged with operator control devices.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one operator control device has a unit for triggering an emergency stop function.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein, the at least one console has an emergency stop device designed to trigger an emergency stop function of the apparatus for at least one of:

a detection of an interference in a transmission path, a malfunction of the operator control device or combinations thereof.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the emergency stop function is provided via an electrical circuit with the control element being a normally closed contact.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one operator control device has a safety circuit with a corresponding emergency stop switch.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one console is adapted for accessory-free attachment with the at least one operator control device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one console has a converter for converting a signal-carry wave into a signal-carry conductor wave and/or vice versa.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the console has an antenna for inductive energy transmission.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein a transmission control unit is provided for controlling the substantially interference-free transmiddion path of the at least one console.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one operator control device has a unit for triggering an emergency stop function.