Wireless medical gases management system

• US 7,920,067 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2007
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Air Liquide Incorporated (L'Air Liquide SA)
• Original Assignee: American Air Liquide Incorporated (L'Air Liquide SA)
• Inventors: Cadet, Olivier J., Durtschi, Franck-Stephane
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US11/735,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20080251077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 340/604, 340/605, 340/539.12, 702/45
• US Class Current: 340/605
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/84 for treating several patients simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/60 for the operation of medical equipment or devices

Abstract

The present invention generally provides methods and systems for managing a medical gas system by using wireless sensors located at the point of use. In one embodiment, a wireless sensor is fixed to a gas outlet, and is configured to measure gas flow, and to detect whether the gas outlet is connected to a medical device. The gas flow and connection data is included in a wireless signal that is transmitted to a remote server. The data received by the server may be analyzed to determine if any local or system leaks are occurring. In addition, the data may be used to monitor patient therapies, to calculate costs, and to determine replenishment points.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the use of medical gases, comprising:

receiving a plurality of wireless signals, each coming from one of a plurality of flow sensors, wherein each flow sensor is configured to measure the flow rate of gas through one of a plurality of gas outlets, wherein the gas flowing to the plurality of gas outlets is supplied by a gas delivery system fluidly coupled to at least one gas source;

determining, based on the plurality of wireless signals, the total amount of gas used at the plurality of gas outlets;

determining, based on one or more measurements of the at least one gas source, the amount of gas that has been removed from the at least one gas source;

determining whether the total amount of gas used at the plurality of gas outlets differs, by a predetermined margin, from the amount of gas that has been removed from the at least one gas source; and

if so, generating an alert communicating the existence of a potential leak in the gas delivery system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the total amount of gas used at the plurality of gas outlets is at least a predetermined reordering amount; and

if so, generating an alert to communicate the need to order additional gas supplies.

3. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor, performs a method, comprising:

receiving a plurality of wireless signals, each coming from one of a plurality of flow sensors, wherein each flow sensor is configured to measure the flow rate of gas through one of a plurality of gas outlets, wherein the gas flowing to the plurality of gas outlets is supplied by a gas delivery system fluidly coupled to at least one gas source;

determining, based on the plurality of wireless signals, the total amount of gas used at the plurality of gas outlets;

determining, based on one or more measurements of the at least one gas source, the amount of gas that has been removed from the at least one gas source;

determining whether the total amount of gas used at the plurality of gas outlets differs, by a predetermined margin, from the amount of gas that has been removed from the at least one gas source; and

if so, generating an alert communicating the existence of a potential leak in the gas delivery system.

4. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 3, further comprising:

determining whether the total amount of gas used at the plurality of gas outlets is at least a predetermined reordering amount; and

if so, generating an alert to communicate the need to order additional gas supplies.

5. A system, comprising:

a medical facility, comprising;

a) a plurality of locations configured for patient care, each comprising at least one gas fixture, wherein each gas fixture is configured to connect to and supply medical gases to at least one medical device;

b) at least one medical gas source;

c) at least one wireless receiver;

d) a plurality of gas conduits, configured to distribute medical gases from the at least one gas source to each of the gas fixtures;

e) a plurality of wireless sensors disposed on the plurality of gas fixtures, each comprising;

i) a flow sensor configured to measure a flow of gas through the gas fixture on which it is disposed,

ii) a connection sensor configured to determine whether a medical device is properly connected to the gas fixture on which it is disposed, and

iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal to the at least one wireless receiver, wherein the wireless signal includes data indicating whether a flow of gas is detected and whether a medical device is properly connected; and

f) a gas management application, configured to receive the data included in the wireless transmissions, and to selectively generate alerts communicating the existence of a potential leaks at the gas fixtures based on the received data.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein selectively generating alerts communicating the existence of potential leaks at the gas fixtures comprises:

for each gas fixture, determining whether there is a flow of gas in the conduit distributing gas to the gas fixture;

for each gas fixture, determining whether at least one medical device is properly connected to the gas fixture; and

for each gas fixture, if there is a flow of gas but no medical device is properly connected, then generating an alert communicating the existence of a potential leak at the gas fixture.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the wireless signal also indicates a flow rate of gas, and wherein the gas management application is further configured to perform the method of:

for each gas fixture, determining whether the flow rate of gas is outside a predetermined range of operating flow rates; and

if so, generating an alert communicating the existence of an abnormal flow rate at the gas fixture.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the wireless signal also indicates a flow rate of gas, and wherein the gas management application is further configured to perform the method of:

for each gas fixture, calculating, based on the flow rate of gas, a total amount of gas used at the gas fixture over a given period.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the gas management application is further configured to perform the method of:

for each gas fixture, determining whether the calculated total amount of gas used at the gas fixture is at least an amount medically prescribed for a treatment regimen of a

patient, wherein the gas fixture is dedicated to the care of the patient; and

if so, generate an alert communicating the completion of the treatment regimen of the patient.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the gas management application is further configured to perform the method of:

for each gas fixture, if the total amount of gas used at the gas fixture is at least the amount medically prescribed for the corresponding patient, then closing a control valve for the gas fixture to prevent further administration of the gas to the patient.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the gas management application is further configured to perform the method of:

for each gas fixture, calculate a cost of the total amount of gas used at the gas fixture, wherein the gas fixture is dedicated to the care of the patient.

12. A system, comprising:

a medical facility, comprising;

a) a plurality of locations configured for patient care, each comprising at least one gas fixture, wherein each gas fixture is configured to connect to and supply medical gases to at least one medical device;

b) a medical gas storage facility, comprising a flow meter configured to measure a total gas flow rate from the storage facility;

c) at least one wireless receiver;

d) a plurality of gas conduits, configured to distribute medical gases from the at least one gas storage facility to each of the gas fixtures;

e) a plurality of wireless sensors disposed on the plurality of gas fixtures, each comprising;

i) a flow sensor configured to measure a flow of gas through the gas fixture on which it is disposed,

ii) a connection sensor configured to determine whether a medical device is properly connected to the gas fixture on which it is disposed, and

iii) a wireless transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal to the at least one wireless receiver, wherein the wireless signal includes data indicating whether a flow of gas is detected and whether a medical device is properly connected; and

f) a gas management application, configured to receive the data included in the wireless transmissions, and to selectively generate an alert communicating the existence of a potential leak in the plurality of gas conduits based on the received data.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the gas management application is further configured to perform the method of:

calculating, based on the wireless transmissions, a total gas flow at the gas fixtures;

determining whether the total gas flow at the gas fixtures differs, by a predetermined margin, from the amount of total gas flow from the storage facility.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the gas management application is further configured to perform the method of:

determining whether the total gas flow at the gas fixtures is at least a predetermined reordering amount; and

if so, generating an alert to communicate the need to order additional gas supplies.