Remote control of dialysis machines

• US 8,769,625 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2011
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Original Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Incorporated (Fresenius Medical Care AG)
• Inventors: Wang, Aiyuan, Crnkovich, Martin Joseph, Wang, Fei, Lee, Sue-Jane, Tarn, Jeffrey, Yuds, David, Leung, Hak Kan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehedi, Morshed
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, KENNETH W
• Application Number:
  US13/298,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20130133036A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 726/4
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/14 Dialysis systems; Artificial kidneys; Blood oxygenators semi-permeable membranes characterised by the material, manufacturing processes therefor B01D71/00 ; Reciprocating systems for treatment of body fluids, e.g. single needle systems for hemofiltration or pheresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/1601 Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/60 for the operation of medical equipment or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70

Abstract

This disclosure relates to remote control of dialysis machines. In certain aspects, a method includes receiving a request for a network connection from a dialysis machine and establishing the network connection with the dialysis machine. The method also includes receiving, from a client device, a request to access the dialysis machine, authorizing the client device to access the dialysis machine, receiving, from the dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the dialysis machine, and providing, to the client device, the received information.

Claims

1. A method performed by a data processor, the method comprising:

sending a first access request to a first dialysis machine, the first access request requesting access to the first dialysis machine;

sending a second access request to a second dialysis machine, the second access request requesting access to the second dialysis machine;

establishing a first network connection with the first dialysis machine;

establishing a second network connection with the second dialysis machine;

receiving a designation of a level of access to each dialysis machine granted to the data processor;

receiving, from a first client device, a request to access the first dialysis machine;

receiving, from a second client device, a request to access the second dialysis machine;

authorizing the first client device to access the first dialysis machine;

authorizing the second client device to access the second dialysis machine;

receiving, from the first dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the first dialysis machine;

receiving, from the second dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the second dialysis machine;

providing, to the first client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the first dialysis machine; and

providing, to the second client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the second dialysis machine.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the first client device, instructions for the first dialysis machine;

receiving, from the second client device, instructions for the second dialysis machine;

providing, to the first dialysis machine, the instructions for the first dialysis machine; and

providing, to the second dialysis machine, the instructions for the second dialysis machine.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a proxy port for communication with each dialysis machine.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first client device and the second client device are the same device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein authorizing the first and second client devices comprises using an access control list stored on the data processor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the access control list is configured to allow updating of a set of client devices that are authorized to access the dialysis machine by updating, at the data processor, the access control list stored on the data processor.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data processor is at a remote location from one or more of the dialysis machines.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the data processor is at a clinic.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein one or more of the dialysis machines is at a home of a patient.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the client device and the data processor are the same device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein authorizing the client device to access the dialysis machine comprises receiving a user login and password from the client device.

12. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving, from a third client device, a request to access the second dialysis machine;

authorizing the third client device to access the second dialysis machine;

receiving, from the second dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the second dialysis machine;

providing, to the third client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the second dialysis machine;

receiving, from the third client device, instructions for the second dialysis machine; and

providing, to the second dialysis machine, the received instructions.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the instructions received from the second client device for the second dialysis machine have a priority over the instructions received from the third client device for the second dialysis machine.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, when there is a conflict between the instructions received from the second client device for the second dialysis machine and the instructions received from the third client device for the second dialysis machine, the instructions received from the second client device are executed by the second dialysis machine, and the instructions received from the third client device are not executed by the second dialysis machine.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the level of access comprises authority to monitor the dialysis machine.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the level of access comprises authority to control and monitor the dialysis machine.

17. A system comprising:

a server;

a first dialysis machine configured to connect to the server;

a second dialysis machine configured to connect to the server;

a first client device configured to connect to the server; and

a second client device configured to connect to the server,

wherein the server is configured to;

maintain an access control list to determine whether the first client device is authorized to connect to the first dialysis machine, and whether the second client device is authorized to connect to the second dialysis machine;

provide a connection for transfer of data between the first dialysis machine and the first client device;

provide a connection for transfer of data between the second dialysis machine and the second client device;

establish a first network connection with the first dialysis machine;

establish a second network connection with the second dialysis machine;

receive a designation of a level of access to the first dialysis machine granted to the first client device;

receive a designation of a level of access to the second dialysis machine granted to the second client device;

receive, from the first client device, a request to access the first dialysis machine;

receive, from the second client device, a request to access the second dialysis machine;

authorize the first client device to access the first dialysis machine;

authorize the second client device to access the second dialysis machine;

receive, from the first dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the first dialysis machine;

receive, from the second dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the second dialysis machine;

provide, to the first client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the first dialysis machine; and

provide, to the second client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the second dialysis machine.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the server is further configured to:

receive, from the first client device, instructions for the first dialysis machine;

receive, from the second client device, instructions for the second dialysis machine;

provide, to the first dialysis machine, the instructions for the first dialysis machine; and

provide, to the second dialysis machine, the instructions for the second dialysis machine.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a second server;

a third dialysis machine configured to connect to the second server; and

a third client device configured to connect to the second server, wherein the second server is configured to;

maintain an access control list to determine whether the third client device is authorized to connect to the third dialysis machine;

provide a connection for transfer of data between the third dialysis machine and the third client device;

establish a third network connection with the third dialysis machine;

receive a designation of a level of access to the third dialysis machine granted to the third client device;

receive, from the third client device, a request to access the third dialysis machine;

authorize the third client device to access the third dialysis machine;

receive, from the third dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the third dialysis machine; and

provide, to the third client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the third dialysis machine.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the server is further configured for assigning a proxy port for communication with each dialysis machine.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the first client device and the second client device are the same device.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the access control list is configured to allow updating of a set of client devices that are authorized to access the dialysis machine by updating, at the server, the access control list stored on the server.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the server is at a remote location from one or more of the dialysis machines.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the server is at a clinic.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein one or more of the dialysis machines is at a home of a patient.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein authorizing the client devices to access the dialysis machines comprises using the access control list maintained by the server.

27. The system of claim 17, wherein authorizing the client devices to access the dialysis machines comprises receiving a user login and password from the client devices.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein the server is further configured to:

receive, from a third client device, a request to access the second dialysis machine;

authorize the third client device to access the second dialysis machine;

receive, from the second dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the second dialysis machine;

providing, to the third client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the second dialysis machine;

receiving, from the third client device, instructions for the second dialysis machine; and

providing, to the second dialysis machine, the received instructions.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the instructions received from the second client device for the second dialysis machine have a priority over the instructions received from the third client device for the second dialysis machine.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein, when there is a conflict between the instructions received from the second client device for the second dialysis machine and the instructions received from the third client device for the second dialysis machine, the instructions received from the second client device are executed by the second dialysis machine, and the instructions received from the third client device are not executed by the second dialysis machine.

31. The system of claim 17, wherein the level of access comprises authority to monitor the dialysis machine.

32. The system of claim 17, wherein the level of access comprises authority to control and monitor the dialysis machine.

33. A computer-readable storage device storing a computer program including instructions for causing a computer to:

send a first access request to a first dialysis machine, the first access request requesting access to the first dialysis machine;

send a second access request to a second dialysis machine, the second access request requesting access to the second dialysis machine;

establish a first network connection with the first dialysis machine;

establish a second network connection with the second dialysis machine;

receive a designation of a level of access to each dialysis machine granted to the computer;

receive, from a first client device, a request to access the first dialysis machine;

receive, from a second client device, a request to access the second dialysis machine;

authorize the first client device to access the first dialysis machine;

authorize the second client device to access the second dialysis machine;

receive, from the first dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the first dialysis machine;

receive, from the second dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the second dialysis machine;

provide, to the first client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the first dialysis machine; and

provide, to the second client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the second dialysis machine.

34. The computer-readable storage device of claim 33, further including instructions for causing the computer to:

receive, from the first client device, instructions for the first dialysis machine;

receive, from the second client device, instructions for the second dialysis machine;

provide, to the first dialysis machine, the instructions for the first dialysis machine; and

provide, to the second dialysis machine, the instructions for the second dialysis machine.

35. The computer-readable storage device of claim 33, further including instructions for causing the computer to:

assign a proxy port for communication with each dialysis machine.

36. The computer-readable storage device of claim 33, wherein the first client device and the second client device are the same device.

37. The computer-readable storage device of claim 33, wherein authorizing the first and second client devices comprises using an access control list stored on the computer.

38. The computer-readable storage device of claim 37, wherein the access control list is configured to allow updating of a set of client devices that are authorized to access the dialysis machine by updating the access control list.

39. The computer-readable storage device of claim 38, wherein the computer is at a remote location from one or more of the dialysis machines.

40. The computer-readable storage device of claim 39, wherein the computer is at a clinic.

41. The computer-readable storage device of claim 40, wherein one or more of the dialysis machines is at a home of a patient.

42. The computer-readable storage device of claim 33, wherein the client device and the computer are the same device.

43. The computer-readable storage device of claim 33, wherein authorizing the client devices to access the dialysis machines comprises receiving a user login and password from the client devices.

44. The computer-readable storage device of claim 34, further including instructions for causing the computer to:

receive, from a third client device, a request to access the second dialysis machine;

authorize the third client device to access the second dialysis machine;

receive, from the second dialysis machine, information pertaining to an operation of the second dialysis machine;

provide, to the third client device, the information pertaining to the operation of the second dialysis machine;

receive, from the third client device, instructions for the second dialysis machine; and

provide, to the second dialysis machine, the received instructions.

45. The computer-readable storage device of claim 44, wherein the instructions received from the second client device for the second dialysis machine have a priority over the instructions received from the third client device for the second dialysis machine.

46. The computer-readable storage device of claim 45, wherein, when there is a conflict between the instructions received from the second client device for the second dialysis machine and the instructions received from the third client device for the second dialysis machine, the instructions received from the second client device are executed by the second dialysis machine, and the instructions received from the third client device are not executed by the second dialysis machine.

47. The computer-readable storage device of claim 33, wherein the level of access comprises authority to monitor the dialysis machine.

48. The computer-readable storage device of claim 33, wherein the level of access comprises authority to control and monitor the dialysis machine.