Distributed control of medical devices to avoid effects of interference

• US 9,211,065 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2012
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Marsh, Gene Wesley, Anand, Rahul, Vaughn, Brad L., Chen, Jen Mei, Chen, Tao, Guo, Jin, Singh, Navrina B., Doroba, Joseph, Zhang, Jiang
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US13/654,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20130102253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 4554041-4042, 4554141-4143, 4554561-4566, 455/457, 455 411- 412, 4555561-5562, 455/517, 455/521, 340/539.1, 34053911-53919, 340/539.2, 34053921-53929, 607/60, 607/62, 607/63
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for transmitting relatively more critical information between devices using a first wireless technology and transmitting relatively less critical information using a second wireless technology more susceptible to interference than the first wireless technology. One example method generally includes performing an association with a second apparatus via a first wireless technology, wherein the first wireless technology requires proximity between the first and second apparatuses; communicating first information with the second apparatus via the first wireless technology, a second wireless technology, or a combination of both the first and second wireless technologies, while the first and second apparatuses are still in proximity; and communicating second information with the second apparatus via the second wireless technology.

Claims

1. A first apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processing system configured to;

perform an association with a second apparatus comprising a medical device via a first wireless technology, wherein the first wireless technology requires proximity between the first and second apparatuses;

communicate first information with the second apparatus via the first wireless technology, while the first and second apparatuses are still in proximity, wherein the first information comprises configuration information to configure the medical device to, at least one of, treat or monitor a patient; and

communicate second information with the second apparatus via the second wireless technology, wherein the second wireless technology is different from the first wireless technology, and wherein the second information comprises at least one of the following;

an indication that the second apparatus is functioning and within range of the first apparatus, an indication of whether an event has occurred that would call for interactive communication, or an indication of whether an error has occurred at the second apparatus.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to provide an indication that the first information had been communicated.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first information is communicated if a distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus is less than or equal to about 1 meter.

4. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first information is communicated if a distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus enables the first apparatus to communicate only with the second apparatus.

5. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wireless technology comprises one of near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), a quick response (QR) code scan, or a bar code scan.

6. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second information indicates that the second apparatus is functioning and within range of the first apparatus.

7. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second information indicates whether an event has occurred that would call for interactive communication.

8. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second wireless technology comprises one of Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE).

9. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second apparatus comprises an infusion pump.

10. The first apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first information comprises identification information for at least one of patient identification, treatment information, an intravenous (IV) bag associated with the infusion pump, or content of the IV bag.

11. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second information indicates whether an error has occurred at the apparatus.

12. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises medical information that instructs the medical device to implement a particular medical treatment for the patient.

13. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises information regarding a medication flow rate, a medication volume, or a medication interval for treatment of the patient by the medical device.

14. A method for wireless communications by a first apparatus, comprising:

performing an association with a second apparatus comprising a medical device via a first wireless technology, wherein the first wireless technology requires proximity between the first and second apparatuses;

communicating first information with the second apparatus via the first wireless technology, while the first and second apparatuses are still in proximity, wherein the first information comprises configuration information to configure the medical device to, at least one of, treat or monitor a patient; and

communicating second information with the second apparatus via the second wireless technology, wherein the second wireless technology is different from the first wireless technology, and wherein the second information comprises at least one of the following;

an indication that the second apparatus is functioning and within range of the first apparatus, an indication of whether an event has occurred that would call for interactive communication, or an indication of whether an error has occurred at the second apparatus.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing an indication that the first information had been communicated.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first information is communicated if a distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus is less than or equal to about 1 meter.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first information is communicated if a distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus enables the first apparatus to communicate only with the second apparatus.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first wireless technology comprises one of near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), a quick response (QR) code scan, or a bar code scan.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the second information indicates that the second apparatus is functioning and within range of the first apparatus.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the second information indicates whether an event has occurred that would call for interactive communication.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the second wireless technology comprises one of Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE).

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the second apparatus comprises an infusion pump.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first information comprises identification information for at least one of patient identification, treatment information, an intravenous (IV) bag associated with the infusion pump, or content of the IV bag.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein the second information indicates whether an error has occurred at the apparatus.

25. A first apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for performing an association with a second apparatus comprising a medical device via a first wireless technology, wherein the first wireless technology requires proximity between the first and second apparatuses;

means for communicating first information with the second apparatus via the first wireless technology, while the first and second apparatuses are still in proximity, wherein the first information comprises configuration information to configure the medical device to, at least one of, treat or monitor a patient; and

means for communicating second information with the second apparatus via the second wireless technology, wherein the second wireless technology is different from the first wireless technology, and wherein the second information comprises at least one of the following;

an indication that the second apparatus is functioning and within range of the first apparatus, an indication of whether an event has occurred that would call for interactive communication, or an indication of whether an error has occurred at the second apparatus.

26. The first apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for providing an indication that the first information had been communicated.

27. The first apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for communicating the first information is configured to communicate the first information if a distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus is less than or equal to about 1 meter.

28. The first apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for communicating the first information is configured to communicate the first information if a distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus enables the first apparatus to communicate only with the second apparatus.

29. The first apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first wireless technology comprises one of near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), a quick response (QR) code scan, or a bar code scan.

30. The first apparatus of claim 25, wherein the second information indicates that the second apparatus is functioning and within range of the first apparatus.

31. The first apparatus of claim 25, wherein the second information indicates whether an event has occurred that would call for interactive.

32. The first apparatus of claim 25, wherein the second wireless technology comprises one of Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE).

33. The first apparatus of claim 25, wherein the second apparatus comprises an infusion pump.

34. The first apparatus of claim 33, wherein the first information comprises identification information for at least one of patient identification, treatment information, an intravenous (IV) bag associated with the infusion pump, or content of the IV bag.

35. The first apparatus of claim 25, wherein the second information indicates whether an error has occurred at the apparatus.

36. A computer-program product for wireless communications by a first apparatus, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions executable to:

perform an association with a second apparatus comprising a medical device via a first wireless technology, wherein the first wireless technology requires proximity between the first and second apparatuses;

communicate first information with the second apparatus via the first wireless technology, while the first and second apparatuses are still in proximity, wherein the first information comprises configuration information to configure the medical device to, at least one of, treat or monitor a patient; and

communicate second information with the second apparatus via the second wireless technology, wherein the second wireless technology is different from the first wireless technology, and wherein the second information comprises at least one of the following;

an indication that the second apparatus is functioning and within range of the first apparatus, an indication of whether an event has occurred that would call for interactive communication, or an indication of whether an error has occurred at the second apparatus.

37. A wireless device, comprising:

at least one antenna; and

a processing system configured to;

perform an association with an apparatus comprising a medical device via a first wireless technology, wherein the first wireless technology requires proximity between the wireless device and the apparatus;

communicate, via the at least one antenna, first information with the apparatus via the first wireless technology, while the wireless device and the apparatus are still in proximity, wherein the first information comprises configuration information to configure the medical device to, at least one of, treat or monitor a patient; and

communicate, via the at least one antenna, second information with the apparatus via the second wireless technology, wherein the second wireless technology is different from the first wireless technology, and wherein the second information comprises at least one of the following;

an indication that the apparatus is functioning and within range of the first apparatus, an indication of whether an event has occurred that would call for interactive communication, or an indication of whether an error has occurred at the apparatus.