Integrated point-of-care systems and methods

• US 20040249673A1
• Filed: 04/16/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baird M. Smith
• Original Assignee: Baird M. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Baird M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,005,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0437 Trolley or cart-type apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02152 specially adapted for venous pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/032 Spinal fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0833 Measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An integrated point-of-care system includes a medical monitoring device, a medical care device, a computing system, and a structure. The medical monitoring device monitors patient information for a patient. The medical care device provides medical care to the patient. The computing system receives patient information from the medical monitoring device and transmits control instructions to the medical care device to control the medical care to the patient. The computing system also exchanges data with a central data respository through a communication network. The structure supports the patient, the medical monitoring device, the medical care device, and the computing system. The structure can also transport the patient, the medical monitoring device, the medical care device, and the computing system together.

Claims

1. An integrated point-of-care system comprising:

a medical monitoring device configured to monitor patient information for a patient;

a medical care device configured to provide medical care to the patient;

a computing system configured to receive patient information from the medical monitoring device, transmit control instructions to the medical care device to control the medical care to the patient, and exchange data with a central data respository through a communication network; and

a structure configured to support the patient, the medical monitoring device, the medical care device, and the computing system and transport the patient, the medical monitoring device, the medical care device, and the computing system together.

2. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the patient information comprises vital signs of the patient.

3. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the structure comprises a mattress configured to support the patient.

4. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the medical care device is configured to administer a medication to the patient.

5. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 further comprising a power supply configured to supply power to the medical care device and the medical monitoring device.

6. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 5 wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

7. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the computing system further comprises a display device configured to display the control instructions or patient, information.

8. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 7, wherein the display device comprises a flat-screen touch panel configured to allow user input for controlling the operation of the medical care devices or the medical monitoring devices.

9. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the computing system further comprises a keyboard.

10. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the communication network is wireless.

11. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the computing system further comprises a memory storage system configured to store the patient information or control instructions.

12. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the computing system further comprises an identification device configured to identify a person.

13. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 12, wherein the identification device comprises a fingerprint recognition device.

14. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 12, wherein the identification device comprises a voice recognition device.

15. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 12, wherein the identification device comprises a visual recognition device.

16. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 further comprising a camera configured to generate a visual image.

17. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the computing system further comprises a barcode reader.

18. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the computing system further comprises a communication interface configured to communicate with the Internet.

19. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 wherein the computing system further comprises a communication interface configured to communicate with a television service provider.

20. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wheels mounted on the bottom of the structure to facilitate transport of the patient and the medical devices.

21. The integrated point-of-care system of claim 1 further comprising a radiant warming device mounted on the structure to warm the patient.

22. A method of operating an integrated point-of-care system comprising the steps of:

supporting a patient, a computing system, a medical care device, and a medical monitoring device by using a structure;

providing control instructions to the medical care device through the computing system to provide medical care to the patient;

receiving patient information from the medical monitoring device into the computing system;

exchanging data between the computing system and a central data repository through a communication network; and

transporting the patient, the medical monitoring device, the medical care device, and the computing system together by using the structure.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step of displaying the patient information.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of identifying a person authorized to operate the computing system by using an identification device.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of identifying the patient by using an identification device.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of identifying a medication to be administered to the patient by using an identification device.