WO2011048286A1 - Device for monitoring the operation of a medical apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring device (4), arranged so as to be mounted on a medical apparatus, characterized in that it includes: an operative sensor (20) arranged to determine data denoting a state of an apparatus on which the device is mounted (4), an inoperative sensor (30) arranged to determine data denoting a movement of an apparatus on which the device is mounted (4), a location device (32) arranged to determine location data of the device (4), a transmitter (22) capable of establishing a wireless connection for transmitting data, and a controller (34) arranged to selectively activate the location device (32) and the transmitter (22) in accordance with the data from the operative sensor (20) and the inoperative sensor (30), by transmitting the data from the location device (32) when the latter is activated.

Description

 DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE OPERATION OF AN APPARATUS

 MEDICAL

The invention relates to a monitoring device, in particular a device arranged to be mounted on a medical device.

Advances in medical devices have led to a significant increase in their use outside the traditional hospital setting. Thus, it is no longer uncommon to encounter equipment such as defibrillators in business premises. The new use of these materials raises many questions and problems.

Indeed, it becomes more and more complex to control the state of operation of ever more numerous equipment, and tele-monitoring solutions by wire communication significantly limit the radius of action of these materials.

The invention improves the situation.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a monitoring device arranged to be mounted on a medical device which comprises:

 an operating sensor arranged to determine the data designating a state of the apparatus on which the device is mounted,

 a rest sensor arranged to determine data indicating a displacement of an apparatus on which the device is mounted,

a locating device arranged to determine location data of the device,

 a radio transmitter capable of establishing a wireless connection for transmitting data, and

a pilot arranged to selectively activate the location device and the transmitter according to the data from the operating sensor and the rest sensor, by transmitting the data coming from the location device when it is activated. This is particularly advantageous because this device makes defibrillators portable, that is to say that increases their range of action, while monitoring their availability and preventing possible failures. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the following description, taken from examples given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, taken from the drawings in which:

 FIG. 1 represents a device according to the invention mounted on a defibrillator hung on a wall,

FIG. 2 represents a block diagram of the device of FIG. 1, and

 FIG. 3 represents an exemplary state diagram of the operation of the device of FIG. 2.

The drawings and the description below contain, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They can therefore not only serve to better understand the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if any.

FIG. 1 shows a defibrillator 2 on which a monitoring device 4 is mounted.

The defibrillator 2 is hooked to a wall 6 by means of fasteners 8. The defibrillator 2 also comprises light-emitting diodes 10 whose flashes indicate the operating state of the defibrillator 2. As will be better seen in FIG. 2, these blinks are operated by the monitoring device 4.

The monitoring device 4 is mounted on the defibrillator 2 by means of screws not shown. Other means of connecting the monitoring device 4 to the defibrillator 2 may be used, including clips or gluing.

FIG. 2 represents a block diagram of the monitoring device 4. The monitoring device 4 comprises a sensor 20, a communication module 22, an antenna 24, a loudspeaker 26, a battery 28, an accelerometer 30, a geolocation device 32, and a driver 34. The sensor 20 is a light sensor which is used to interpret the light signal emitted by the light-emitting diodes 10 of the defibrillator 2.

The signal from the sensor 20 is transmitted to the pilot 34 to indicate the operating state of the defibrillator 2.

Indeed, the defibrillator 2 comprises diagnostic mechanisms that can detect an internal operating problem such as a battery failure, or a potential use, as the fact that the electrodes have been removed from their housing. Normally, the defibrillator 2 actuates the light diodes 10 so that they emit a so-called control signal.

In response to the detection of a battery failure of an electrode stall, the defibrillator actuates the diodes to emit a light signal different from the control signal.

The sensor 20 is arranged to detect this change and to interpret the new signal emitted by the light diodes 10, and to transmit a corresponding signal to the driver 34.

When it receives from the sensor 20 a signal indicating a state of the defibrillator 2 other than the state of rest, the pilot 34 can command the communication module 22 to transmit a communication via the antenna 24 to indicate the change of state . In the example described here, the communication module 22 is a mobile telephony transceiver of the GPRS type, which is capable of transmitting data in the form of packets, and of establishing a GSM type communication with a signaling station. control. The communication module 22 could be a 3G or other type of mobile radio transceiver, or any other type of radio transmitter for transferring data. The control station is an entity whose role is to monitor the operation of a fleet of defibrillators 2 each equipped with a monitoring device 4, and to act according to the data received, depending on whether a breakdown or activation is detected for example. Depending on the detected state change, the driver 34 can send data via the communication module 22 to the control station.

In response, the control station can initiate a GSM-type communication with the monitoring device 4 to enable a control station operator to guide a user of the defibrillator 2 in the operations to be carried out via the loudspeaker 26.

The driver 34 may also control the speaker 26 to issue voice instructions when certain signals are detected, for example to explain to a user of the defibrillator 2 how to replace worn electrodes.

The driver 34 can also control at regular intervals the communication module 22 to establish a control communication with the control station. This makes it possible to verify that the communication module 22 works well. Thus, if a problem related to the subscription of the communication module 22 (for example an unpaid bill), or if the battery of the communication module 22 is empty, or if any other problem preventing the communication of control is encountered, this can be detected by both the pilot 34 and the control station.

In response, the driver 34 can transmit via the speaker 26 or by any other means a signal indicating this problem. Similarly, on the control station side, the absence of reception of a control communication from a monitored monitoring device 4 can also cause an alert indicating a failure of the communication module 22, and an appropriate response.

Thus, the reliability of the monitoring device 4 is ensured, which ensures that the information concerning the defibrillator 2 is accurate.

In the example described here, the battery 28 supplies all the electronic devices of the monitoring device 4. However, each device could have a clean battery.

In the example described here, the accelerometer 30 is a three-axis accelerometer which makes it possible to detect a displacement of the monitoring device 4.

As the monitoring device 4 is intended to be always integral with the defibrillator 2, any motion signal detected by the accelerometer 30 indicates that the defibrillator 2 is being moved. The pilot 34 is arranged to monitor any signal from the accelerometer 30 indicating a displacement, and to activate in response the communication module 22 accordingly to send data to the control station indicating such a displacement. In response to these data, the operator of the checkpoint can contact the person in charge of the defibrillator to indicate the movement of the defibrillator. This helps to make this person aware of the use of his defibrillator.

Note that in the case where a displacement detected by the accelerometer 30 would correspond to the detachment of the monitoring device 4 of the defibrillator 2 (for example to steal the defibrillator 2), this information is just as important as if it were a question. a displacement for use of the defibrillator 2. Indeed, the monitoring device 4 is essential to monitor the good state of operation of the defibrillator 2, and the control station will contact the person in charge of the defibrillator 2, who can then see what is the use of this defibrillator whether it is legitimate or not.

Note that the accelerometer 30 could be replaced by other motion detection means. One could for example use a light sensor which is closed when the defibrillator 2 is on its support, and which receives light when it is removed from the support.

Advantageously, when a displacement signal of the monitoring device 4 is detected by the accelerometer 30 and received by the pilot 34, the latter can react by activating the geolocation device. Indeed, since the accelerometer 30 has detected a displacement of the monitoring device 4, it is particularly interesting to monitor these movements.

Subsequently, the driver 34 can activate the communication module 22 to transmit to the control station the geolocation data received from the device 32.

This transmission of information can advantageously be carried out within the framework of the communication established when the displacement has been detected by the accelerometer 30. It can also be done within another communication initialized by the pilot 34 via the communication module. 22.

In the example described here, the geolocation device 32 is a GPS receiver. Thus, it is possible to determine with a resolution of a few meters the exact location of the monitoring device 4 when the defibrillator 2 is detached from its support.

As a variant, the geolocation device 32 could be replaced by a communication with a GSM triangulation server which uses the communications of the communication module 22 with the surrounding antennas to determine the position of the monitoring device 4 with an accuracy of the order of 100 meters.

The ability of the monitoring device 4 to determine its location and to transmit this location is extremely crucial in the context of mobile defibrillators.

Indeed, these defibrillators are placed under the responsibility of people who have the legal obligation to make sure of their operation. It is therefore particularly important not only to determine if the defibrillator is in working order, but also if it is where it needs to be.

Conventionally, defibrillators were little or not mobile, and remote monitoring was limited to inefficient wire solutions.

The monitoring device 4 is therefore particularly advantageous because it addresses all the faults of conventional remote monitoring solutions.

FIG. 3 represents an example of a pilot operating loop 34.

It starts in an operation 300 of an initialization of a time counter.

The driver 34 first executes a function Shnt () in an operation 310 to determine whether the monitoring device 4 should be turned off.

Indeed, if the function Shnt () detects that the defibrillator 2 is in use, it is crucial that all the electronic elements of the monitoring device 4 are extinguished so as not to risk disrupting the operation.

If this condition is detected, then in an operation 312, the monitoring device 4 is turned off by means of a function Blk (). The shutdown is preceded by a sending to the control station, by the driver 34 via the communication module 22, a data packet indicating that the defibrillator 2 is in use. In the example described here, the test of the operation 310 is executed before any execution of a function by the driver 34 to ensure that the monitoring device 4 is turned off as soon as the defibrillator 2 is activated.

For this reason, the operation combination 310-312 will not be repeated in the following, although it is executed each time.

Advantageously, a specific procedure is necessary to reactivate the monitoring device 4 once the operation 312 is performed. This makes it possible to ensure that a user can not reactivate the monitoring device 4 by accident when using the defibrillator 2.

In an operation 314, the driver 34 determines whether it has received an exception signal by means of an Except () function.

The Except () function can for example consult a working memory in which write the sensor 20, the communication module 22, and the accelerometer 30.

By exception signal is meant any signal indicating an operation of the defibrillator 2 or the monitoring device 4 which requires communication with the control station.

If the operation 314 does not detect an exception, then the operation 310 is repeated.

If the operation 314 detects an exception, a function LnTl () is executed in an operation 316. This function aims at detecting a problem at the level of the communication module 22.

Indeed, as seen with the description of Figure 2, if the control communication with the control station is not successful, or if another problem is detected at the communication module 22, it is advantageous to report it. If the LnTl () function detects a problem, the driver 34 executes a SignalLnTl () function in an operation 318.

This function controls for example the loudspeaker 26 to emit a sound signal or a message which indicates to the users of the defibrillator 2 that the communication module 22 has a problem.

On the other hand, if the detected problem does not directly affect the communication capacity of the communication module 22, for example if the detected problem corresponds to a weakness of the battery 28 which supplies it, then the SignalLnTl () function can also initiate a communication with the checkpoint to send a data packet including a code indicating the type of problem encountered.

If the test of operation 316 is negative, then a TechPb () function is executed in an operation 320 to determine if the detected exception corresponds to a defibrillator 2 technical problem.

If so, then the driver 34 activates the communication module 22 in an operation 322 by means of a SignalPb () function, and transmits to the control station a data packet containing a code indicating the detected technical error .

If the detected exception is not a technical problem of the defibrillator 2, then it means that the exception detected in the operation 314 comes from the accelerometer 30. In response, the driver 34 executes a SignalMv () function in a operation 324.

By this function, the driver 34 activates the communication module 22 to send a data packet containing a code indicating that the defibrillator 2 is being moved. By executing the SignalMv () function, the pilot 34 also triggers the activation of the geolocation device 32 in order to be able to follow the movements of the monitoring device 4. The operation 324 is followed by a loop in which the geolocation data of the monitoring device 4 is retrieved in an operation 326 and sent via the communication module 22 to the control station by a function SndPst () on a regular basis, by example every 30 seconds, until the battery 28 runs out or until the Blk () function is run.

Advantageously, the SndPst () function can take advantage of the data from the accelerometer 30. Indeed, when the monitoring device 4 is located in closed premises, there is a good chance that the geolocation device will encounter problems if it's a GPS receiver.

In this case, the data of the accelerometer 30 can be temporally integrated to derive a vector displacement of the monitoring device 4. In all cases, these data can serve as redundant data for validating a position determined by the geolocation device 32.

In the foregoing, a particular embodiment has been described for the monitoring device 4. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use together with a medical defibrillator.

As a result, numerous security measures are put in place to detect any type of malfunction and to disable the monitoring device as soon as the use of the defibrillator is detected.

However, the monitoring device is compatible with any other type of portable medical device on which it can be mounted. In such cases, certain functions and / or securities may be adapted and / or omitted to simplify the monitoring device. In addition, the monitoring device described here uses a light sensor that takes advantage of the fact that the defibrillator emits a light signal to indicate its operating state.

In a variant, the sensor 20 may be replaced by any sensor capable of detecting the operating state of the defibrillator or of the medical device on which the monitoring device is mounted.

Claims

Monitoring device (4), arranged to be mounted on a medical device (2), characterized in that it comprises:  an operation sensor (20) arranged to determine data indicative of a state of an apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted, a rest sensor (30) arranged to determine data indicative of a displacement of a apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted, a locating device (32) arranged to determine location data of the device (4),  a transmitter (22) capable of establishing a wireless connection for transmitting data, and  a driver (34), arranged to selectively activate the locating device (32) and the transmitter (22) according to the data from the operating sensor (20) and the rest sensor (30), by transmitting the data from the locating device (32) when it is activated. Device according to claim 1, wherein the driver (34) is arranged, in response to data from the operating sensor (20) indicating an activation of a device (2) on which the device (4) is mounted, to disable the locating device (32) and for transmitting data indicating an activation of an apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driver (34) is arranged, in response to data of the rest sensor (30) indicating a displacement of an apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted, to activate on the one hand the locating device (32) and on the other hand the transmitter (22) with data indicating a displacement of the apparatus (2) and with the location data from the locating device (32). ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the driver (34) is arranged to determine data designating a power state of the device (4), and is arranged in response to data indicative of a low battery state (28) for activating the transmitter (22) with data indicating that state. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a loudspeaker (26) adapted to be activated by the driver (34) and / or a radio receiver (22) coupled to the transmitter (22). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating sensor (20) is a light sensor. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rest sensor (30) is a 3-axis accelerometer. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitter (22) is a GPRS transmitter.