Device, system and method for integrating different medically applicable apparatuses

• US 8,328,793 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Original Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Inventors: Birkenbach, Rainer, Vilsmeier, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/715,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20040116908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,311 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 600/101, 600/118, 340/825
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A device for coupling at least two medically applicable instruments, which are coupled to at least two control apparatuses, includes a central control unit coupled to input and/or output connections of said at least two control apparatuses. The central control unit includes at least one processor that receives output signals from the at least two control apparatuses and converts the output signals into a unified format. At least one processor receives inputted control signals, converts the control signals into formats corresponding to the respective at least two control apparatuses, and transfers the converted control signals to the at least two control apparatuses to control the at least two medically applicable instruments.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a central control unit configured to couple to input and output connections of at least two medically applicable instruments via at least two control apparatuses having different manufacturer-specific command protocols and associated command protocol software; and

a common output display device coupled to the central control unit via a bus, wherein the bus provides electrical separation between the common output display device and the central control unit;

at least one input device coupled to the central control unit and configured to receive operator input;

wherein the central control unit is configured to receive output signals from the at least two control apparatuses and adapt the received output signals for display on the common output display device, and the central control unit is configured to receive input signals from the at least one input device and relay the received input signals to the at least two control apparatuses; and

wherein the central control unit is configured to receive output signals and relay received input signals without conversion of the received input signals to command protocols of the least two medically applicable apparatuses.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the common output display device is a single central input and output display device comprised of a single touch screen display.