Touch screen interface and infrared communication system integrated into a battery

• US 8,827,890 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2013
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thoratec LLC
• Inventors: Petersen, Ethan, Stark, Joseph, McCutcheon, Ian, Reichenbach, Steve, Lee, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US13/894,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20130310631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 600/16, 607/3, 607/33
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• 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 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/216 including a rotating member acting on the blood, e.g. impeller
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/585 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3218 of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/808 Electrical power feeding of an optical transmission system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods relating to interfacing and controlling external batteries are described. In one embodiment, an external battery is integrated with a touch screen display. In one embodiment, the external battery provides an infrared communication link with a detachable device or system controller. In one embodiment, the external battery touch screen interface provides data received from a detachable device or system controller.

Claims

1. A machine-implemented method of operating a mechanical circulatory system, comprising:

establishing an infrared data connection between a battery and a detachable device;

the battery receiving data from or providing data to the detachable device using the infrared data connection; and

providing power from the battery to a mechanical circulatory system which is adapted to be coupled to a patient.

2. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the data received by the battery from the detachable device represents a status of a device coupled to the detachable device.

3. The machine-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the device is a heart pump and the detachable device is a system controller for the heart pump.

4. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the data received is a status of the detachable device and the status is one or more of alarm status, event history, pump parameters, log data, and power source status.

5. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the battery is configured to provide data to the detachable device over the infrared connection to the detachable device.

6. The machine-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the battery providing data to the detachable device comprises the battery sending one or more of battery status information and a request for data associated with the detachable device.

7. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the detachable device further comprises an internal battery and the method further comprises the detachable device automatically switching to the internal battery when the battery is decoupled from the detachable device.

8. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a status of a proximity sensor triggered by coupling a detachable device to the battery, and wherein establishing the infrared data connection is based on the status of the proximity sensor.

9. The machine-implemented method of claim 8, wherein establishing the infrared data connection determines whether the power is provided and wherein the proximity sensor is a magnetic switch.

10. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

coupling the detachable device and a power adapter together with an electromagnetic connection, and;

energizing, by the power supply, the electromagnetic connection based on the status of a proximity sensor.

11. The machine-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the detachable device and the battery are further configured to be coupled to a power adapter, wherein magnets of a first magnetic attraction are configured to couple the detachable device to the battery and magnets of a second magnetic attraction are configured to couple the battery to a power adapter, and wherein the first magnetic attraction is greater than the second magnetic attraction.

12. A machine readable non-transitory storage medium containing executable program instructions which cause a data processing device to perform a method of operating a mechanical circulatory support system, the method comprising:

establishing an infrared data connection between a battery and a detachable device; and

providing power from the battery to a mechanical circulatory system which is adapted to be coupled to a patient.

13. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, the method further comprising receiving data by the battery from the detachable device over the infrared data connection, wherein the data represents a status of a device coupled to the detachable device.

14. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 13, wherein the device is a heart pump and the detachable device is a system controller for the heart pump.

15. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, the method further comprising receiving data by the battery from the detachable device over the infrared data connection, wherein the data represents a status of the detachable device and the status is one or more of alarm status, event history, pump parameters, log data, and power source status.

16. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, the method further comprising sending data by the battery to the detachable device over the infrared connection to the device.

17. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 16, wherein sending data by the battery includes sending one or more of battery status information and a request for data associated with the detachable device.

18. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, wherein the detachable device further comprises an internal battery and the detachable device is adapted to automatically switch to the internal battery when the battery is decoupled from the detachable device.

19. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, further comprising:

determining a status of a proximity sensor triggered by coupling a detachable device to a battery, and wherein the establishing the infrared data connection is based on the status of the proximity sensor.

20. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 19, wherein establishing the infrared data connection determines whether the power is provided.

21. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, the method further comprising coupling the detachable device and a power adapter together with an electromagnetic connection, wherein the power adapter alters the polarity of the electromagnetic connection based on the status of a proximity sensor.

22. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, the method further comprising:

coupling the detachable device and the battery to a power adapter, wherein magnets of a first magnetic attraction are adapted to couple the detachable device to the battery and magnets of a second magnetic attraction are adapted to couple the battery to the power adapter, and wherein the first magnetic attraction is greater than the second magnetic attraction.

23. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, wherein the detachable device further comprises an internal battery and the detachable device is adapted to automatically switch to the internal battery upon a fault or failure of the battery.

24. A data processing device in a mechanical circulatory system, comprising:

a processor;

a battery; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configurable for storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor cause the processor to;

establish an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to receive data from or provide data to the detachable device using the infrared data connection; and

provide power from the battery to a mechanical circulatory system which is adapted to be coupled to a patient.

25. The data processing device of claim 24, wherein the data received by the battery from the detachable device represents a status of a device coupled to the detachable device.

26. The data processing device of claim 25, wherein the device is a heart pump and the detachable device is a system controller for the heart pump.

27. The data processing device of claim 24, wherein the data received is a status of the detachable device and the status is one or more of alarm status, event history, pump parameters, log data, and power source status.

28. The data processing device of claim 24, wherein the battery is configured to send data to the detachable device over the infrared connection to the device.

29. The data processing device of claim 28, wherein the battery is configured to send one or more of battery status information and a request for data associated with the detachable device.

30. The data processing device of claim 24, further comprising the detachable device, wherein the detachable device further comprises an internal battery and the detachable device is adapted to automatically switch to the internal battery when the battery is decoupled from the detachable device.

31. The data processing device of claim 24, further configured to:

determine a status of a proximity sensor triggered by coupling the detachable device to a battery, and wherein the establishing the infrared data connection is based on the status of the proximity sensor.

32. The data processing device of claim 24, wherein establishing the infrared data connection determines whether the power is provided.

33. The data processing device of claim 24, wherein the detachable device and a power adapter are configured to be coupled together with an electromagnetic connection, and wherein the power adapter is configured to after the polarity of the electromagnetic connection based on the status of a proximity sensor.

34. The data processing device of claim 24, wherein the detachable device and the battery are further adapted to be coupled to a power supply, wherein magnets of a first magnetic attraction are adapted to couple the detachable device to the battery and magnets of a second magnetic attraction are adapted to couple the detachable device to the power supply, and wherein the first magnetic attraction is greater than the second magnetic attraction.

35. The data processing device of claim 24, wherein the detachable device further comprises an internal battery and the detachable device is adapted to automatically switch to the internal battery upon a fault or failure of the battery.

36. A data processing system in a mechanical circulatory system, comprising:

means for establishing an infrared data connection between a battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is adapted to receive data from or provide data to the detachable device using the infrared data connection; and

means for providing power from the battery to a mechanical circulatory system which is adapted to be coupled to a patient.

37. The data processing system of claim 36, wherein the data received by the battery from the detachable device represents a status of a device coupled to the detachable device.

38. The data processing system of claim 37, wherein the device is a heart pump and the detachable device is a system controller for the heart pump.

39. The data processing system of claim 36, wherein the data received is a status of the detachable device and the status is one or more of alarm status, event history, pump parameters, log data, and power source status.

40. The data processing system of claim 36, wherein the battery is adapted to send data to the detachable device over the infrared data connection to the device.

41. The data processing system of claim 40, wherein the battery is adapted to sendone or more of battery status information and a request for data associated with the detachable device.

42. The data processing system of claim 36, wherein the detachable device further comprises an internal battery and the detachable device is configured to automatically switch to the internal battery when the battery is decoupled from the detachable device.

43. The data processing system of claim 36, further comprising:

means for determining the status of a proximity sensor triggered by coupling a detachable device to the battery, and wherein the establishing the infrared data connection is based on the status of the proximity sensor.

44. The data processing system of claim 36, wherein establishing the infrared data connection determines whether the power is provided and wherein the proximity sensor is a magnetic switch.

45. The data processing system of claim 36, wherein the detachable device and a power adapter are configured to be coupled together with an electromagnetic connection, and wherein the power adapter is configured to alter the polarity of the electromagnetic connection based on the status of a proximity sensor.

46. The data processing system of claim 36, further comprising means for coupling the detachable device and the battery to a power adapter, wherein magnets of a first magnetic attraction are configured to couple the detachable device to the battery and magnets of a second magnetic attraction are configured to couple the battery to the power adapter, and wherein the first magnetic attraction is greater than the second magnetic attraction.

47. A machine-implemented method comprising:

establishing a data connection between a battery and a detachable device;

providing power from the battery to the detachable device;

sending data from the detachable device to the battery; and

displaying a representation of the data on a touch screen integrated into the battery.

48. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, wherein the detachable device is a system controller coupled to a heart pump.

49. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, wherein the data received from the detachable device is one or more of pump parameters, accelerometer data, alarm information, log data, and power source status.

50. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, further comprising:

receiving input on the touch screen, the input requesting data from the detachable device; and

updating the touch screen display based on the input.

51. The machine-implemented method of claim 50, wherein the input is a request for information associated with the detachable device and the request is for one or more of pump parameters, accelerometer data, alarm information, log data, and power source status.

52. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, further comprising:

receiving input on the touch screen, wherein the input is a request for information associated with the battery and the request is for one or more of display settings, power status, audio settings, or vibration settings.

53. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, further comprising:

receiving data associated with the alarm at the battery in response to an alarm triggered on the detachable device, and;

displaying the data associated with the alarm on the touch screen.

54. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, wherein the detachable device further comprises a display and input device integrated in the detachable device separate from the touch screen.

55. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, further comprising:

establishing an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to receive the data associated with the detachable device using the infrared data connection.

56. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, further comprising:

establishing an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to send data to the detachable device using the infrared data connection.

57. The machine-implemented method of claim 47, wherein the data connection determines whether the power is provided.

58. A machine readable non-transitory storage medium containing executable program instructions which cause a data processing device to perform a method comprising:

establishing a data connection between a battery and a detachable device;

providing power from the battery to the detachable device;

sending data from the detachable device to the battery; and

displaying a representation of the data on a touch screen integrated into the battery.

59. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, wherein the detachable device is a system controller coupled to a heart pump.

60. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, wherein the data received from the detachable device is one or more of pump parameters, accelerometer data, alarm information, log data, and power source status.

61. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, further comprising:

receiving input on the touch screen, the input requesting data from the detachable device; and

updating the touch screen display based on the input.

62. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 61, wherein the input is a request for information associated with the detachable device and the request is for one or more of pump parameters, accelerometer data, alarm information, log data, and power source status.

63. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, further comprising:

receiving input on the touch screen, wherein the input is a request for information associated with the battery and the request is for one or more of display settings, power status, audio settings, or vibration settings.

64. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, further comprising:

receiving, at the battery, data associated with an alarm in response to the alarm being triggered on the detachable device, and;

displaying the data associated with the alarm on the touch screen.

65. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, wherein the detachable device further comprises a display and input device integrated in the detachable device separate from the touch screen.

66. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, further comprising:

establishing an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to receive the data associated with the detachable device using the infrared data connection.

67. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, further comprising:

establishing an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to send data to the detachable device using the infrared data connection.

68. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, wherein the data connection determines whether the power is provided.

69. The machine readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 58, wherein the detachable device further comprises an internal battery and the detachable device is adapted to automatically switch to the internal battery upon a fault or failure of the battery.

70. A data processing system comprising:

means for establishing a data connection between a battery and a detachable device;

means for providing power from the battery to the detachable device;

means for sending data from the detachable device to the battery; and

means for displaying a representation of the data on a touch screen integrated into the battery.

71. The data processing system of claim 70, wherein the detachable device is a system controller adapted to be coupled to a heart pump.

72. The data processing system of claim 70, wherein the data received from the detachable device is one or more of pump parameters, accelerometer data, alarm information, log data, and power source status.

73. The data processing system of claim 70, further comprising:

means for receiving input on the touch screen, the input requesting data from the detachable device; and

means for updating the touch screen display based on the input.

74. The data processing system of claim 73, wherein the input is a request for information associated with the detachable device and the request is for one or more of pump parameters, accelerometer data, alarm information, log data, and power source status.

75. The data processing system of claim 70, further comprising:

means for receiving input on the touch screen, wherein the input is a request for information associated with the battery and the request is for one or more of display settings, power status, audio settings, or vibration settings.

76. The data processing system of claim 70, further comprising:

means for receiving at the battery data associated with an alarm in response to an alarm triggered on the detachable device, and;

means for displaying the data associated with the alarm on the touch screen.

77. The data processing system of claim 70, wherein the detachable device further comprises a display and input device integrated in the detachable device separate from the touch screen.

78. The data processing system of claim 70, further comprising:

establishing an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to receive the data associated with the detachable device using the infrared data connection.

79. The data processing system of claim 70, further comprising:

means for establishing an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to receive the data from the detachable device using the infrared data connection.

80. The data processing system of claim 70, wherein the data connection determines whether the power is provided.

81. A data processing device comprising:

a processor;

a touch screen having a touch input and a display device coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configurable for storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

establish a data connection between a battery and a detachable device;

provide power from the battery to the detachable device;

send data from the detachable device to the battery; and

display a representation of the data on the touch screen integrated into the battery.

82. The data processing system of claim 81, wherein the detachable device is a system controller coupled to a heart pump.

83. The data processing system of claim 81, wherein the data received from the detachable device is one or more of pump parameters, accelerometer data, alarm information, log data, and power source status.

84. The data processing system of claim 81, further configured to:

receive input on the touch screen, the input requesting data from the detachable device; and

update the touch screen display based on the input.

85. The data processing system of claim 84, wherein the input is a request for information associated with the detachable device and the request is for one or more of pump parameters, accelerometer data, alarm information, log data, and power source status.

86. The data processing system of claim 81, further configured to:

receive input on the touch screen, wherein the input is a request for information associated with the battery and the request is for one or more of display settings, power status, audio settings, or vibration settings.

87. The data processing system of claim 81, wherein the battery is configured to receive data associated with an alarm in response to an alarm being triggered on the detachable device, and wherein the data associated with the alarm is displayed on the touch screen.

88. The data processing system of claim 81, wherein the detachable device further comprises a display and input device integrated in the detachable device separate from the touch screen.

89. The data processing system of claim 81, further configured to:

establish an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to receive the data associated with the detachable device using the infrared data connection.

90. The data processing system of claim 81, further configured to:

establish an infrared data connection between the battery and a detachable device, wherein the battery is configured to receive data from the detachable device using the infrared data connection.

91. The data processing system of claim 81, wherein the data connection determines whether the power is provided.

92. The data processing device of claim 81, wherein the detachable device further comprises an internal battery and the detachable device is adapted to automatically switch to the internal battery upon a fault or failure of the battery.