IT201900005710A1 - Improved method for guaranteeing the correct functionality of an equipment, preferably of a medical and / or safety equipment. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the invention entitled:

"Improved method to guarantee the correct functionality of an equipment, preferably of a medical and / or safety equipment"

The present invention relates to an improved method for ensuring the correct functionality of an apparatus, in particular of a medical or safety apparatus and preferably of a semiautomatic defibrillator.

It is known that some equipment, to be used both for medical purposes (such as defibrillators) and safety (for example fire extinguishers), require the execution of a series of periodic checks aimed at ascertaining the regular and correct functioning of the devices themselves. , as well as require the execution of a series of periodic maintenance operations aimed at maintaining the correct functionality of these devices during their life cycle.

Appropriately, these checks and periodic maintenance operations are aimed at ensuring the correct operation of the equipment at the crucial moment in which there is an actual need for it.

Among these devices there is, for example, the semi-automatic defibrillator, which is a life-saving device to be used in the event of cardiac arrest. The adoption of this equipment is increasingly widespread, particularly in public places and, in particular, it is mandatory by law in places where sports are practiced. Appropriately, both the legislation, but also common sense and experience, require that the defibrillator be subjected to periodic checks and maintenance in order to ensure its proper functioning when there is a need to use it in an emergency situation.

At present, these checks are essentially and solely based on the skills and common sense of the person who is responsible for the proper functioning of this equipment. In view of this, it is clear that this procedure is not satisfactory as, in addition to being slow and laborious, it is highly dependent on the operator, with a high risk of errors and inaccuracies, especially in the case of not particularly experienced operators.

In addition, the current procedure requires the manager to fill out paper or electronic forms, without giving any real guarantee that the operator actually went to the equipment to carry out the required verification and maintenance operations.

US2015 / 112704 and US2016 / 058996 describe methods for inspecting a defibrillator by acquiring the latter's data by means of the optical detection means of a smartphone and by means of an APP loaded and executed in said smartphone. However, these known methods do not ensure that the defibrillator has not been tampered with.

The purpose of the invention is to propose an improved method to ensure the correct functionality of an equipment, preferably a medical or safety equipment, which is an improvement and / or alternative to traditional ones.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a method that prevents and avoids the risk of equipment malfunctions in case of need for its use in an emergency situation.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a method that certifies the verification and / or maintenance intervention that the operator carries out on the equipment.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a method that guarantees the uniformity of the verification and / or maintenance procedures to be carried out.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a method that induces on the operator greater responsibility for the required verification and / or maintenance procedures.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a method that is independent of the characteristics and model of the equipment.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a method that is independent of the operator.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a method with an alternative characterization, both in functional and implementation terms, compared to traditional ones.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a method that can be implemented simply, quickly and with low costs.

All these purposes are achieved, according to the invention, with a method with the characteristics indicated in claim 1.

The present invention is further clarified hereinafter in a preferred embodiment thereof reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawing tables in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a first form of implementation of the method according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows it in a schematic view in a second embodiment,

Figure 3 shows it in a schematic view in a third form of implementation, Figure 4 shows a first screen visible in the display of the acquisition device used in the method according to the invention, and Figure 5 shows a second screen of the same,

figure 6 shows the belt in one embodiment thereof,

figure 7 shows the belt associated with the defibrillator,

figure 8 shows the belt in a second embodiment thereof.

As can be seen from the figures, the method 1 according to the invention comprises an apparatus 2, whose correct functionality is to be guaranteed, which is substantially of the traditional type and can be of any type or model.

Preferably, the equipment 2 is a semi-automatic defibrillator (also known as "automatic external defibrillator" or "AED") but it could also be any medical and / or safety device (such as a fire extinguisher) which requires, by law and / or by practice, periodic checks and / or maintenance interventions.

Hereinafter the method according to the invention is described with specific reference to an automatic or semi-automatic defibrillator 2, but it is understood that this method can also be suitably used for the other devices mentioned above.

The method according to the invention also requires a portable type device 10 (for example mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, etc.) which is provided with means 12 for acquiring, in proximity to the defibrillator 2, a series of relative and / or representative data of the defibrillator itself.

Conveniently, the acquisition means 12 of said portable device 10 comprise:

- optical detection means 14 to scan and / or acquire at least one bar code 16 which contains said data relating and / or representative of the equipment itself, and / or

- short-range detection means to read the content of at least one electronic label 16 which contains relative and / or representative data of the equipment itself

The bar code 16 and / or the electronic label is associated on the apparatus 2 so as to act as a guarantee and / or security seal of the integrity of the casing / container of said apparatus 2 and / or of the fact that said apparatus 2 has not been tampered with and / or already used. Advantageously, the bar code 16 is a two-dimensional code, preferably a matrix code. Preferably, the electronic label is an NFC or RFID tag. Preferably, the electronic label comprises a chip provided with short-range transmission means. Preferably, the electronic label comprises a memory which, at least in part, is writable following an unlocking procedure. Conveniently, the electronic label is password protected and encrypted.

Advantageously, as shown in fig. 1, these acquisition means 12 comprise optical detection means 14, for example a digital camera, to acquire, in the form of at least one digital image (photograph) 11 of the defibrillator 2, a series of relative and / or representative data of the defibrillator itself .

Advantageously, the representative data of the defibrillator 2 are encoded within the two-dimensional matrix bar code 16.

Preferably, the two-dimensional matrix bar code 16 can be associated with the external surface of the container / casing of the automatic defibrillator 2, in a suitably and easily visible position. In particular, it should be noted that a two-dimensional matrix barcode 16 means a "QR code" (acronym deriving from the English words "Quick Response") or a "Data Matrix" code or any other two-dimensional barcode that is composed from black modules arranged within a square or rectangular pattern. Advantageously, the use of the two-dimensional matrix bar code 16 allows you to store, in a compact and secure way, within a single image, a plurality of data relating and / or representative of the defibrillator 2.

Advantageously, the two-dimensional barcode 16 can act as a marker to activate on the device 10 suitable augmented reality applications configured to superimpose multimedia contents in real time on the screen 15 of the device itself (for example video, audio, 3D objects, etc.) relating to the management of an emergency situation, the use of the defibrillator 2 and / or the procedures for carrying out the verification and maintenance operations to be carried out on the defibrillator 2.

Advantageously, as mentioned, the two-dimensional barcode 16 and / or the electronic label (for example the NFC and / or RFID tag) and / or other short-range transmission means act as a security seal and / or guarantee of the integrity of the container / casing of the automatic defibrillator 2 and / or of the fact that said automatic or semi-automatic defibrillator has not been used and / or tampered with. In particular, the two-dimensional barcode 16 and / or the electronic tag (NFC and / or RFID tag) and / or other short-range transmission means act as a seal in the sense that they are fixed / applied to the defibrillator case / casing. 2 so as not to allow access to the inside of said container / casing and so that the only way to access the latter is to break / tamper with said seal. Conveniently, the two-dimensional barcode 16 and / or the electronic tag (NFC and / or RFID tag) and / or other short-range transmission means act as a seal in the sense that they are attached / applied to the defibrillator 2 container / casing. so as not to allow to act on said apparatus except by breaking or tampering with said seal.

Preferably, said seal comprises a support on which the bar code 16 and / or the electronic label are mounted. Conveniently, said support is fixed - for example in an adhesive way - to the envelope in a position such as to act as a guarantee and / or safety seal.

Preferably, said seal comprises a band or belt 23 which is applied or is wrapped around the casing of said defibrillator 2. Conveniently, a two-dimensional bar code 16 is applied to said band 23 and / or a label is removably housed in said band. electronics (NFC and / or RFID tags) and / or other short range means of transmission.

Advantageously, said band or belt 23 is provided at the ends with quick coupling / release means 26. Preferably, said quick coupling / release means 26 are associated with automatic activation means which are controlled from the outside or by a command received from said electronic label.

Conveniently, the belt 23 comprises a padlock 24, which allows the packaging of the defibrillator 2 to be opened. Advantageously, the padlock 24 can be associated with said short-range transmission means 16, so that its opening is associated with a signal coming from the means of transmission themselves. In particular, the opening of the padlock 24 can be linked to the approach of the device 10.

For example, the belt 23 may comprise one or more tear points 26 which allows the defibrillator 2 package to be opened quickly. This allows you to have quick access to the defibrillator 2 should it need to be used in emergency conditions.

The information that allows the univocal identification of the defibrillator 2 to which the belt 23 is associated can also be printed on the belt 23 or associated by means of a label or a two-dimensional barcode 16. Conveniently, the label can be removable and reusable.

In particular, the data that are encoded in order to define the two-dimensional matrix barcode 4 includes the serial number, the type and other characteristics or information relating to the defibrillator 2. More specifically, the data relating to the defibrillator 2 may concern for example the construction date, firmware versions, software application versions, serial number, purchase date, product warranty, battery and / or electrode expiration date, and / or other defibrillator data and useful for the purpose.

Advantageously, as shown in fig. 3, to the defibrillator 2 are associated, or are incorporated, short-range transmission means 18 (ie of the order of ten centimeters up to one meter), such as those that use NFC technology (from the English "Near Field Communication" ) or transponders for example of the RFID type (from the English “Radio-Frequency IDentification”) or, again, means of transmission that use the Bluetooth standard. These short-range transmission means are traditional in themselves, but have never been used and / or integrated into a defibrillator for the purposes that are achieved in this specific application.

Correspondingly in the device 10 the acquisition means 12 comprise short range receiving means, not shown, which use NFC technology (from the English "Near Field Communication") or RFID type transporder (from the English "Radio-Frequency IDentification ”) Or the Bluetooth standard. Therefore, by approaching the device 10 to the defibrillator 2, the former is able to acquire a data packet 20 relative and / or representative of the defibrillator 2 and sent by the short-range transmission means 18 of the latter.

The acquisition device 10 is also equipped with a processor which is configured to represent on the display 15 of the device itself the data, relative and / or representative of the defibrillator 2, which have been acquired by the acquisition means 12.

In particular, in the processor of the acquisition device 10 a program is loaded and executed to represent on the display 15 the image (photograph) 11 acquired by means of the optical detection means 14.

Conveniently, a suitable reading / decoding program of the two-dimensional matrix bar code 16 which has been acquired by the device itself by means of said optical detection means 14 can be loaded and executed inside the processor of the device. decoding can also be configured to represent on the display 15 of the device itself, the two-dimensional matrix barcode 16 (see fig. 2) or, preferably, to represent in an orderly and suitably formatted way, the data contained in the two-dimensional barcode matrix (see fig. 4).

Conveniently, a suitable program can be loaded and executed inside the processor of the device 10 to represent on the display 15 of the device itself, in an orderly and suitably formatted manner, the data packet 20 transmitted by the associated short-range transmission / reception means. to defibrillator 2.

For example, the program for processing and representing data, which have been acquired by means 12, is a suitable mobile software application (APP) loaded and executed on a smartphone or tablet, even without requiring connection to the internet (i.e. offline).

Advantageously, the relative and / or representative data of the defibrillator 2 and acquired by means 12 of the device 10 are automatically stored locally within a memory unit provided in the device itself.

The device 10 is provided with communication means 22 for sending the image 11 and / or the two-dimensional matrix code 16 and / or the data packet 20 acquired by the means 12, to a remote processing unit 30, for example a computer remote server or cloud data system. In particular, these means of communication 22 can use the technology of cellular mobile telephony (with standards such as GMS, UMTS, GPRS, etc.) and / or the internet.

Advantageously, the program for reading / decoding the two-dimensional matrix bar code 16 and / or the data packet 20 is loaded and executed also inside the remote processing unit 30. Conveniently, inside the processing unit remote 30, a program is loaded and executed to represent on the display 32, associated with the remote processing unit 30, the image 11 and / or the two-dimensional bar code 16 and / or to display, in an orderly and suitably formatted manner, the data contained in the two-dimensional barcode 16 and / or in the data packet 20.

The relative and / or representative data of the defibrillator 2, which have been acquired by means 12 of the device 10 and are transmitted to the remote unit 30, are automatically stored within it. Conveniently, this filing is carried out in an organized way in order to facilitate the subsequent interrogation and consultation of the data. Conveniently, data storage within the remote unit 30 is carried out so that the same data cannot be modified or overwritten, thus ensuring their immutability over time. Preferably, this can be done using a shared and immutable data structure of the blockchain type.

Advantageously, the bar code 16 or the data packet 20 contained in the electronic label can also contain an internet address and, conveniently, the reading program can be configured to automatically send back the operator, via the internet and with an http protocol. , to the page of the website corresponding to the aforementioned internet address. Preferably, in this internet page, which is displayed on the display of the acquisition device 10 or of the remote processing unit 30, the information contained in the two-dimensional bar code 16 or in the data packet 20 is represented in an orderly and suitably formatted manner. .

Advantageously, in the processor of the acquisition device 10 or in the remote processing unit 30, a software module can also be loaded and executed which receives in input the data acquired by the defibrillator 2 by means 12 and, on the basis of a series of data stored and contained for example in a database and / or on the basis of any further processing, it provides a series of useful information to the operator who, for example, is carrying out verification or maintenance operations, such as the type of maintenance operation to carry out on the basis of the history of previous interventions carried out, etc.

Advantageously, the device 10 is provided with a GPS receiver which is connected to an antenna for receiving the satellite signals and which supplies, at its output, the geographic coordinates (i.e. latitude and longitude) representative of the current position of the device 10 on the earth's surface. In particular, when the device 10 is in proximity to the defibrillator 2 in order to acquire the image (photograph) 11 and / or the two-dimensional barcode 16 and / or the data packet 20 transmitted at short range, the GPS receiver of the device 10 is automatically and suitably activated to provide the geographic coordinates of the device itself, which therefore substantially correspond to those of the defibrillator 2 to which the device 10 necessarily had to approach in order to acquire the data.

Preferably, the GPS receiver of the device 10 also outputs a value representative of the acquisition instant (ie date and time) of the satellite signals.

The position values detected by the device 10 are sent by the latter to a remote central unit where they are suitably stored and collected in a database provided with means for its consultation and, advantageously, this allows to automatically create a computer portal of geolocation of all defibrillators 2 present on a certain territory. Conveniently, the fact that the position values are integrated with the instant of acquisition of the same, allows you to provide information also relating to the temporal update of the geolocation IT portal.

Advantageously, the acquisition device 10 can interface with the geolocation computer portal so that a map 40 of the defibrillators 2 present in a certain area is represented on the display 15 of the device itself.

Advantageously, on the display 15 of the acquisition device 10, information for managing an emergency situation, information on the use of the defibrillator 2, information relating to the procedures for carrying out the verification and maintenance operations to be carried out can also be represented in a clear and formatted manner. carry out on defibrillator 2. More specifically, in the case of defibrillator 2, the verification and maintenance procedures are carried out on the electrodes and battery of the same, on the test procedure, on the status of the indicator lights, etc.

Advantageously, a software is also loaded and executed in the device 10 which, on the basis of the history of the data acquired by means 12 and suitably stored, sends notifications / warnings on the display 15 of the same in order to remind the operator when and which operations. verification and maintenance is necessary.

Conveniently, the remote unit 30 is also sent a unique identification code (for example its IMEI, SDNI or MS ISDN code) relating to the device 10 that acquired the data relating to and / or representative of the defibrillator.

Conveniently, access by the operator to the main screen of the acquisition device 10 is subject to correct authentication by the operator himself, for example by means of an introductory screen in which the operator himself is requested to enter, for example for example, by means of the input means of the user interface with which the device is equipped, with a suitable authentication password. Preferably, the authentication and identification of the operator can be carried out by means of a digital electronic signature, by biometric recognition through the means 12 of the device 10 and / or by inserting a pin or by inserting a sent code, for example by sms or a messaging application based on the internet connection, on the device 10. Advantageously, by storing inside the device 10 or the remote unit 30, the identification of the operator who acquired the image and / or data, it is possible to builds a historical archive of the operators who carried out the verification and / or maintenance interventions.

Conveniently, the present invention also relates to the mobile software application (APP) which is configured to implement the aforementioned method and which is loaded and executed in the processor of said portable device 10.

Conveniently, moreover, the present invention also relates to a software application which is configured to implement the aforementioned method and which is loaded and executed in the processor of said central remote processing unit 30.

From what has been said it appears that the method according to the invention is more advantageous than the traditional ones, since:

̵ uses acquisition devices that are already widely used on the market and of affordable cost,

̵ uses acquisition devices that are easily transportable and therefore can reach any area where the equipment is positioned,

̵ supports the operator in real time while carrying out the checks and maintenance of the equipment,

̵ allows you to easily acquire information relating to the equipment, as well as relating to any history of the checks and maintenance carried out on the same,

̵ reduces the risk of equipment malfunction in an emergency,

̵ it is simple and intuitive to use as most of the steps are carried out automatically,

̵ regularly reminds the operator to carry out the mandatory procedures to maintain and ensure the proper functioning of the equipment, ̵ ensures that the verification and maintenance operations have been carried out correctly since it does not use paper or electronic sheets that could be counterfeit,

̵ requires the operator to go near the equipment to make one or more acquisitions of an image and / or data, thus certifying that the operator actually physically went to the equipment and carried out the operations verification and maintenance,

̵ focuses on the acquisition device, which could potentially be used at different times by several operators;

̵ it is independent from the operator and, advantageously, this allows to facilitate and speed up the handover and control steps when an operator is replaced or in shift changes,

̵ allows you to automatically archive deadlines, reports, checks, control and maintenance activities on a common centralized portal,

̵ allows you to control and manage the operators responsible for the equipment,

̵ allows you to automatically create and keep updated a portal with the position data of all the devices in a certain geographical area.

In particular, unlike US2015 / 112704 and US2016 / 058996, in the solution according to the present invention the bar code and / or the electronic label containing the relative and / or representative data of the equipment are applied to the enclosure of the equipment in order to act as a guarantee seal of the integrity of the casing itself. This is an advantageous and optimal solution in terms of simplicity of implementation to provide both data relating and / or representative of the equipment - and in particular relating to its operational operation - and information relating to the mechanical and structural integrity of the equipment itself. Furthermore, unlike US2015 / 112704 and US2016 / 058996, in the solution according to the present invention it is envisaged to acquire a digital image (photograph) of the equipment to be controlled, thus providing further information relating to the mechanical and structural integrity (and not only operational / functional) of the equipment itself.

The present invention has been illustrated and described in some of its preferred embodiments, but it is understood that executive variations may be applied to them in practice, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present patent for industrial invention.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Improved method for ensuring the correct functionality of an equipment (2), particularly of a medical and / or safety equipment and preferably of a semi-automatic defibrillator, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - physically go to the vicinity of said equipment (2) with a portable device (10) which is provided with its own processor and means (12) for acquiring, in proximity to said equipment (2), relative and / or representative data of the 'equipment itself, - activate said means (12) to acquire, in the vicinity of said equipment (2), said relative and / or representative data of the equipment itself, - sending the data thus acquired, by means of communication means (22) with which said portable device (10) is provided, to a central remote processing unit (30) to be stored inside said unit, thus certifying that a subject with said portable device (10) he went to the vicinity of said apparatus (2). and also characterized by the fact that: - said acquisition means (12) of said portable device (10) comprise optical detection means (14) for scanning and / or acquiring at least one bar code (16) which contains said relative and / or representative data of the apparatus itself and / or comprise short-range detection means for reading the content of at least one electronic label (16) which contains data relating and / or representative of the equipment itself, - said bar code (16) and / or said electronic label is associated with said equipment (2) so as to act as a guarantee / security seal of the integrity of the casing / container of said equipment (2) and / or the non-tampering or use of said equipment (2). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said bar code (16) and / or said electronic label is fixed to the external surface of the enclosure of the apparatus (2) so as not to allow access to the inside the casing of said apparatus or to act on said apparatus except by breaking or tampering with said bar code (16) and / or said electronic label. 3. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the use of a support on which the bar code (16) and / or the electronic label are mounted and in that said support is fixed to the casing of the equipment to be controlled in a position that acts as a guarantee and / or safety seal. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the use of a band or belt is provided which is wrapped around the casing of said apparatus 2 and by the fact that said two-dimensional bar code is applied to said band (16) and / or said electronic label. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said acquisition means (12) of said portable device (10) comprise optical detection means (14) for acquiring said relative and / or representative data of said apparatus ( 2) in the form of at least one digital image or photograph (11) of the equipment itself (2). 6. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - said electronic tag associated with said apparatus (2) comprises short range transmission means (18), - the acquisition means (12) of said portable device (10) comprise corresponding short-range receiving means, and by the fact that, in order to acquire said relative and / or representative data of the apparatus (2), said portable device (10) approaches said apparatus (2) to allow said short-range transmission means (18) to send a data packet (20) relating and / or representative of the equipment (2) to the corresponding short-range receiving means of said portable device (10). Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bar code (16) acts as a marker to activate on said portable device (10) an augmented reality application which is configured to superimpose in real time on the screen ( 15) of the portable device (10) multimedia contents relating to the management of an emergency situation and / or the use of the defibrillator (2) and / or the procedures for carrying out the verification and maintenance operations to be carried out on the defibrillator (2). 8. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the step of automatically and orderly filing in said portable device (10), the data acquired by said acquisition means (12) of said device (10) and relative and / or representative of the equipment (2) and by the fact that the data storage inside the remote unit (30) is carried out in such a way that the same data cannot be modified or overwritten. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said portable device (10) is a smartphone and a unique identification code relating to the portable device (10) is also sent to said central remote processing unit (30) which has carried out the acquisition of the relative and / or representative data of said equipment (2), said unique identification code is the IMEI code of said portable device (10) that performs the acquisition and / or is the MSISDN code of the telephone user associated with said portable device (10). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the identification of the portable device (10) which has carried out the acquisition of said relative and / or representative data of the apparatus (2) is stored in the remote unit (20) to be checked and thus a historical archive of the devices that have carried out each verification and / or maintenance intervention on said equipment is built.