Method and system for enhancing computer peripheral safety

• US 8,868,958 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2012
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Ardent Sound, Inc.
• Inventors: Barthe, Peter G., Slayton, Michael H., Kouklev, Vadim, Jaeger, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG, ALBERT C
• Application Number:
  US13/453,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20130024704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 607/63, 713/340
• US Class Current: 713/340
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• 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 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips

Abstract

A method and system for enhancing computer peripheral safety are configured to monitor and/or isolate alternating current (A.C.) supplies with and/or from any peripheral subsystems or devices. An exemplary method and system comprises an A.C. supply, a host computer system, and a peripheral subsystem or device connected to the host computer system, such as an ultrasound imaging and/or therapy peripheral, and an isolation subsystem configured for monitoring and/or isolating the A.C. supply from the peripheral subsystem or device. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an isolation subsystem comprises application software and associated modules and functions that when executed continuously monitors and/or polls the host computer'"'"'s hardware and/or operating system for the presence of an isolated source, such as a battery, or an unisolated power source, such as through a battery charger and/or other connection path to the A.C. main supply.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating computer peripheral safety for use with medical applications, said computer-implemented method comprising:

determining whether a host computer is being powered by an isolated power source or an unisolated power source comprising an A.C. power supply,

providing a disabling function to a peripheral system if said host computer is powered by the A.C. power supply;

continuing operation of said peripheral system if the host computer system is powered by the isolated power source; and

confirming with the peripheral system user whether isolation hardware is operable before disabling any function within the peripheral system.

2. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a warning function to a peripheral system user if the host computer system is powered by the A.C. power supply.

3. The computer-implemented method according to claim 2, further comprising disabling of at least one function of the medical peripheral device when the A.C. power supply is supplying power to the host computer system after the providing the warning function to the peripheral system user.

4. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring power levels of the isolated power source; and

providing a warning function to the peripheral system user if the power levels are below acceptable levels.

5. The computer-implemented method according to claim 4, wherein the method initially provides the warning function to the peripheral system user and waits for acknowledgement before disabling any function within the peripheral system.

6. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring power levels of the isolated power source; and

providing the disabling function to the peripheral system, if the power levels are below acceptable levels.

7. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising continuously monitoring for a supply of power from the A.C. power supply.

8. The computer-implemented method according to claim further comprising detecting a supply of power from A.C. power supply through operating system interrupts.