CN115136251A - Method and apparatus for displaying progress information - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for displaying progress information regarding dispensing at least one fluid using at least one medical pump device (110) includes: receiving, at a processing device (152), data associated with a total amount of fluid to be dispensed; continuously receiving, at the processing device (152), status information relating to at least the amount of fluid that has been dispensed; on a display device (154), displaying a progress bar (1), the progress bar (1) comprising: a first section (3) having a first size corresponding to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed; and a second section (5) having a second size corresponding to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed; and determining whether fluid is being dispensed based on the received status information and highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar (1) based on the determination that fluid is being dispensed. The invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium and to a device for displaying progress information.

Description

Method and apparatus for displaying progress information

Description

The present invention relates to a method for displaying progress information regarding dispensing of at least one fluid using at least one medical pump device. The invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium and to a device for displaying progress information.

Infusion devices such as syringe or positive displacement pumps are well known and widely used medical pump devices in various medical applications. Infusion devices exist for a variety of operating principles for pumping various fluids, such as drugs or nutrients, into the circulatory system of a patient. An example for other known medical pump devices, i.e. other than infusion devices, is a feeding pump that can be used for nasogastric tube feeding.

Medical pump devices are typically controlled by a computing or processing device and may administer fluids in the following manner: it would be impractically expensive or unreliable if performed manually by a medical practitioner or staff. For example, with the aid of a medical pump device, small amounts (in volume or dosage considerations) of fluid can be stably dispensed at a controlled infusion rate over a long period of time.

In a medical or healthcare environment, such as in an operating room or an intensive care unit of a hospital, containers containing fluid to be dispensed into the circulatory system of a patient through an infusion tube, such as infusion bags, syringes, etc., may be loaded into a medical pump device for dispensing the fluid in a controlled and automated manner. Typically, a medical pump device is used to dispense a fluid, such as a drug. Typically, a large amount of one particular fluid or different fluids, such as different drugs, need to be administered to the circulatory system of a patient at the same time or at different times and at different infusion rates. To this end, a plurality of medical pump devices are typically employed in parallel for use with a single patient, and are typically co-located, e.g., all of the medical pump devices may be conveniently located on a rack for housing the medical pump devices. The operation of the medical pump device may be monitored using a device or the like having a display device, which may also be referred to as a therapy manager, to present status information related to the medical pump device to a user. Infusion devices are described, for example, in EP0985421a 2.

Status information, e.g. related to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed and not yet dispensed, is typically presented to the user by displaying a numerical value in a display. Thus, the presentation of status information is often quite complex for the user to understand, and the user needs to associate all the different displays to make an informed decision about further treatment of the patient. Furthermore, a single console controlling a plurality of connected medical pump devices may produce a plurality of maps which may make information processing more difficult for a user, which may lead to the user making an erroneous decision, since in the medical field usually a decision has to be made in a very short time only based on the information presented to the user.

As an example, US2017140126 relates to the following integrated medication and infusion monitoring system: with images presenting drug-related textual data in columns adjacent to the respective graphical representations of infusion pump status.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved techniques for displaying progress information.

The present invention provides a method for displaying progress information regarding dispensing of at least one fluid using at least one medical pump device, the method comprising:

-receiving, at a processing device, data associated with a total amount of fluid to be dispensed;

-continuously receiving, at the processing device, status information relating at least to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed;

-displaying, on a display device, a progress bar comprising:

-a first section having a first size corresponding to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed, and

-a second section having a second size corresponding to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed; and-determining whether fluid is being dispensed based on the received status information, and highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar based on the determination that fluid is being dispensed.

The fluid may be a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical that may be delivered to a human or animal body. The term "medical pump device" may be used herein to refer to an infusion device or any other pump device capable of delivering a fluid to a human or animal body. The method may be performed, for example, in an apparatus for displaying progress information comprising a processing means and a display means.

The data associated with the total amount of fluid to be dispensed may be manually entered by a user or automatically detected, for example at a medical pump device. The data may include the specific amount of fluid to be dispensed and optionally also the time span over which the fluid is dispensed. In an example, the data may include additional optional information, such as whether to dispense fluid gradually, or whether to use a certain time function, such as a ramp function.

The data associated with the total amount of fluid may be received once at the beginning of dispensing the fluid, or the data may be received multiple times while the fluid is being dispensed, for example, each time the parameters are changed. The aforementioned parameters may be changed, for example, manually by a user or automatically by the medical pump device.

Further, at the processing device, status information relating to at least the amount of fluid that has been dispensed is continuously received. Here, the term "continuously" may mean that the state information or the state information groups may be received one after another at different times from each other. In particular, the status information may be received "periodically", which may be understood as following a certain time interval, for example once per second or more frequently. Further, "periodically" may be used to refer to reception occurring in near real-time or real-time. The status information may for example comprise the amount of fluid that has been dispensed and also the amount of fluid that has not been dispensed. However, the amount of fluid not yet dispensed may also be calculated at the processing device from the total amount of fluid to be dispensed and the amount of fluid already dispensed.

Further, the status information may also include data indicating a remaining time span for dispensing the fluid and/or other information that may be useful to a user.

The progress bar includes: a first section having a first size corresponding to an amount of fluid that has not been dispensed; and a second section having a second size corresponding to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed. The term "size" may be used herein to refer to the width or height of a segment. For example, if the progress bar is horizontally arranged on the display device, the term "size" may be used to refer to the width of the section. However, if the progress bar is vertically arranged on the display device, the term "size" may be used to refer to the height of the section.

Here, the first section and the second section may have sizes proportional to values represented thereby, wherein the sizes may be adjusted based on state information continuously received after receiving a new state information set. Alternatively, the size may be adjusted to trigger an update to the progress bar only if a certain value in a previously received set of status information exceeds a threshold.

The method further comprises the following steps: determining whether fluid is being dispensed based on the received status information, and highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar based on the determination that fluid is being dispensed.

The determination may also be done at the processing device. The determination may be done, for example, by comparing two subsequently received values of the amount of fluid that has been dispensed in the status information with each other. If these values are different from each other, it may be determined that fluid is being dispensed. Alternatively, the absolute value of the difference of these subsequently received values may be compared to a threshold. If the absolute value exceeds the threshold, it may be determined that fluid is being dispensed. Advantageously, measurement inaccuracies can be overcome by using the latter method.

Highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar based on determining that fluid is being dispensed is displaying a transient graphic or data visualization to the user that fluid dispensing is still in progress on the display device. According to the invention, the highlighting is provided by a different optical appearance of at least a part of the progress bar, preferably by a dynamic optical appearance. Thus, highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar may also be described, for example, as pulsing at least a portion of the progress bar.

The dynamic optical appearance is a time dependent or transient visual effect, the dynamic optical appearance being added preferably superimposed to the progress bar. This visual effect quickly informs the user of the ongoing infusion. This is particularly useful when the user is substantially unaware of the movement of the progress bar, for example, for low flow rates. In this case, the dynamic optical appearance then preferably has a higher dynamic than the dynamic of the progress bar.

In one embodiment, the different dynamic optical appearances are provided by at least one element of the group comprising: recoloring, flashing, placing a frame at least partially around the progress bar, and varying brightness.

As described in more detail below, highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar may be accomplished, for example, by superimposing at least a portion of the progress bar with a wave effect.

Alternatively or in addition to superimposing at least a portion of the progress bar with the wave effect, highlighting may also be accomplished by recoloring the first or second section. Here, the term "recoloring" may be used to refer to a change of color from an originally used color to a different shade of the color or to a different color, e.g., to a bright color such as bright yellow or orange, to attract the attention of a user.

However, highlighting may also be accomplished by employing a flashing effect on at least a portion of the progress bar. Here, at least a part of the first section or the second section may be illuminated on the display using a rhythmic light effect, wherein a total duration of light in each period is shorter than a total duration of darkness, and wherein the flashes of light all have the same or different durations.

In yet another example, at least a portion of the first section or the second section may be highlighted by placing a frame around the first section or the second section. For example, the frame may have a line width greater than the original line width, and may also have a color different from the color used for the first section or the second section.

Advantageously, the method enables a user to more easily obtain information on the progress of dispensing at least one fluid using at least one medical pump device. The method provides a more practical, reliable, and faster way to notify the user.

By employing the methods described herein, the display of the progress bar can trustfully assist the user in taking immediate action based on the information conveyed in the progress bar.

In an example, highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar includes highlighting the first section and/or the second section.

In an example, the progress bar may be oriented horizontally, vertically, or may have any other orientation.

In an example, highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar based on determining that fluid is being dispensed includes:

at least a part of the progress bar is superimposed with a dynamic wave effect extending at least partially from the perimeter of the progress bar by generating at least one sub-section having a different shade or color, in particular a shade or color brighter than the first section and/or the second section, and propagating the sub-section at least partially through the progress bar.

In an example, the propagation direction of the subsection may be a horizontal propagation direction or a vertical propagation direction depending on the specific application of the method.

The term "superimposed" may also be used interchangeably herein with the term "covering".

The different colors may for example be white and the subsections may have the shape of a bar, wherein the bar may periodically propagate at least partially through the progress bar from one perimeter, e.g. from one side, top or bottom of the progress bar.

Advantageously, by adding "movement" to the display, the user can better identify the stop in dispensing the fluid. Furthermore, the propagation direction of the subsection may correspond to the dispensing direction of the medical pump.

In the above example, highlighting may include highlighting only the first segment. In further examples, the second section may also be highlighted, or both sections may be fully or partially highlighted at the same time or at different times.

In an example, the method includes the step of adjusting the propagation velocity of the sub-zone based on the amount of fluid being dispensed.

Advantageously, by dispensing more fluid over a period of time, the propagation velocity may be faster than a slower propagation velocity when less fluid is dispensed over the same period of time.

In an example, highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar includes:

by generating a subsection of the first section and propagating the subsection at least partially, in particular horizontally or vertically, through the first section with a predetermined propagation speed, the first section is at least partially superimposed with a dynamic wave effect extending at least partially from one of: the left or right perimeter of the first section, or, alternatively, the top or bottom perimeter of the first section,

wherein the sub-sections have a different color, in particular a brighter color than the first section.

Advantageously, it is well perceived whether fluid is being dispensed even if the first section is reduced to or below the size of the sub-section by superimposing the first section.

In an example, the propagation sub-section includes:

an attenuation gradient is added to the sub-section, which is preferably oriented in the opposite direction to the propagation direction.

In an example, displaying a progress bar includes:

beams originating from subsections of the highlighted portion of the progress bar are projected into the non-highlighted portion of the progress bar.

The term "projexel" may be used herein to refer to a "burst" that extends into an un-highlighted portion of the progress bar, which is permanent, reappears at some point in time, or only for a brief moment before fading out. The projection beam may depend on whether fluid is being dispensed and/or on the rate at which fluid is being dispensed.

In examples in which the first segment is at least partially superimposed with dynamic wave effects, "projecting the beam" may include projecting the beam from the sub-segment at least partially into the second segment at the beginning of propagating the sub-segment at least partially through the first segment. Here, the first "burst" of dynamic wave effects may extend into the direction opposite to the propagation direction. The beam may be projected into the second segment just before the propagation of the sub-segment is started. For example, the visual appearance of a projexel may resemble the light beam of a lighthouse, which may result in the visual effect of the beam being turned at 180 °.

Advantageously, by projecting a beam as described above, the display of ongoing infusion visual information to the user may be further enhanced, particularly when the remaining volume or dose to be delivered is small.

In another example, the dynamic wave effect may also propagate entirely, e.g. from right to left across the first and second sections over the entire span of the progress bar, when less remaining volume or dose is delivered. Then, the ongoing infusion can be easily visualized even when the first section is small compared to the second section.

In an example, the method includes:

in the horizontal direction, the first section and the second section are displayed consecutively, and/or

Displaying a first section wherein the first size decreases by an equal amount as the second size of the second section increases while the amount of fluid that has been dispensed increases, and/or

Displaying a progress bar spanning at least 85% of an available display width or height of a display device, preferably a progress bar spanning the entire available display width or height of a display device, and/or

Displaying, at the first section, a first text indication relating to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed, and/or

Displaying a second text indication relating to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed at the second section, and/or

The first section is displayed in a different shade, preferably a lighter shade of the same color as compared to the second section, preferably wherein the different shade of the first section comprises a color gradient.

Here, the combined size of the first and second sections may remain the same, while the individual sizes of the first and second sections may vary depending on the amount of fluid that has been dispensed.

The term "available display width" may be used herein to refer to a display area that may be used to display information, which may be an area delineated by the sides of the display.

Advantageously, the overall size of the progress bar is unchanged as fluid is dispensed regardless of the amount of fluid that has been dispensed and may, for example, span from one side of the display device to the other, or from one side of a display or screen associated with the display device to the other.

Further, a linear function may be used such that moving one section forward while moving the other section backward, which may be proportional to the amount of fluid already dispensed and the amount of fluid not yet dispensed. Advantageously, acceleration, deceleration and pauses in the dispensed fluid can be presented more effectively.

The progress bar including the first section and the second section may be horizontally arranged when viewed on the display device by a user.

Further, in addition to the progress bar, an actual number indicating the amount of fluid that has not been dispensed and/or the amount of fluid that has been dispensed may be displayed.

Furthermore, the first section may be displayed in lighter shades of color, while the second section is displayed in darker shades of the color. As an example and for illustration only, the first section may be displayed in light red while the second section may be displayed in dark red. The different shading of the first section may also comprise a color gradient, wherein the deeper end of the gradient may be oriented towards the dispensing direction, so that the transition between the first section and the second section is more recognizable and gives more accurate information.

Advantageously, the visibility of the progress bar and the manner in which information is conveyed to the user may be further enhanced by displaying the first section in a different shade than the second section.

In an example, the first section is arranged on a perimeter of the progress bar, in particular on a first side or a second side of the progress bar, depending on a dispensing direction of the medical pump.

For example, in case the injection device accommodates a syringe-like container having a fluid stored therein, the dispensing direction may be a direction in which the medical pump device pushes the corresponding plunger, or the like. Thus, the term "dispensing direction" may be used to refer to the direction of fluid flow out of the medical pump when the medical pump is arranged in an operating position, e.g. on a rack housing the medical pump in the operating position. In most cases, the dispensing direction may be from "right" to "left". Thus, the first section may be arranged on the left-hand side, while the second section may be arranged on the right-hand side.

In an example, the method includes:

an alarm event is determined based on the received status information, and the first section and/or the second section are highlighted using a color scheme corresponding to the alarm event.

For example, an alarm event may be determined when the amount of fluid being dispensed exceeds or falls below a predetermined threshold over a time interval. To convey an alarm event to the user, the first section and/or the second section may be highlighted by recoloring the first section and/or the second section or by overlaying the first section and/or the second section with a different color.

In an example, at the processing device, continuously receiving status information related to at least the amount of fluid that has been dispensed includes:

receiving status information in real time, and/or

Text data is received and displayed in a progress bar.

Advantageously, the status information may be provided to the user upon occurrence of a corresponding event. Alternatively, depending on the application, the state information may also be received at slower intervals, for example once per second, to conserve computing resources.

In addition, the name of the medication may be displayed on the display along with the progress bar.

In an example, the method further comprises:

dispensing at least a further fluid, in particular a plurality of further fluids, using a further medical pump device, each fluid using at least one respective further medical pump device; and

at least one further progress bar, in particular a plurality of further progress bars, associated with the further fluid is displayed at the display device.

Advantageously, data from a plurality of medical pump devices may be presented on a single display device.

In an example thereof, the method further comprises:

the first and/or second section of the progress bar and the further first and/or second section of the progress bar are displayed using a specific color and/or outline shape associated with the respective medical pump device.

Advantageously, by using different colors and/or contour shapes, the association between the progress bar and the medical pump device and/or the dispensed fluid may be facilitated.

The invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the aforementioned method.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying progress information on dispensing at least one fluid using at least one medical pump device, the apparatus comprising:

-processing means adapted to receive data associated with a total amount of fluid to be dispensed, adapted to continuously receive status information relating to at least the amount of fluid already dispensed, and adapted to determine whether fluid is being dispensed based on the received status information; and

-display means adapted to display a progress bar, the progress bar comprising:

-a first section having a first size corresponding to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed, and

a second section having a second size corresponding to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed, and

wherein at least a portion of the progress bar is highlighted based on the determination that fluid is being dispensed.

The apparatus may for example be comprised in a medical pump device and/or in a device controlling one or more medical pump devices, e.g. a so-called "therapy manager".

In an example, the medical pump device is a nutritional pump or an infusion pump, in particular a syringe pump, a positive displacement pump or a patient controlled analgesia PCA pump.

Subsequently, the idea behind the invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. In this context:

fig. 1A to 1G illustrate a progress bar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2A to 2G illustrate a progress bar according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in fig. 1A to 1G;

FIGS. 3A, 3B illustrate a display of a progress bar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a display of a plurality of progress bars according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a medical system having a plurality of medical devices; and

fig. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus for displaying progress information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1A to 1G show a progress bar 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The progress bar shown in fig. 1A to 1G includes: a first section 3, the first section 3 having a first size corresponding to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed; and a second section 5, the second section 5 having a second size corresponding to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed. In the embodiment shown, the term "size" refers to the "width" of the first section 3 and the second section 5.

In the embodiment shown, the first section 3 and the second section 5 are substantially equal in size, which may indicate that half of the fluid to be dispensed has been dispensed. The first section 3 and the second section 5 may have different sizes according to the progress of dispensing the fluid.

In fig. 1A to 1G, the progress bar is also shown as being oriented in the horizontal direction, and the first section 3 and the second section 5 are shown as being arranged successively behind each other. As shown, the first section 3 is displayed with a different shading compared to the second section 5. Here, the first section 3 is displayed in lighter shades of the same color as compared to the second section 5.

As can also be seen from fig. 1A to 1G, the first section 3 of the progress bar 1 comprises a color gradient extending in the direction from the right perimeter to the left perimeter of the first section 3, wherein the color of the first section 3 is darker towards the left perimeter.

As can best be seen in fig. 1B-1G, a portion of the first section 3 is highlighted to indicate that fluid is being dispensed. Essentially, fig. 1A to 1G can be seen as showing one "wave effect" cycle propagating through the first section 3 while fluid is being distributed.

Here, the highlighting of the first section 3 is done by superimposing at least a part of the first section 3 with a wave effect, which creates the impression of a dynamic wave extending at least partially through the first section 3 starting from the right perimeter of the first section 3.

Here, the sub-sections 7 of the first section 3, shown as white stripes, propagate at least partially horizontally through the first section 3. As shown, the subsections 7 also comprise, in the embodiment shown, attenuation gradients oriented in the opposite direction to the propagation direction proceeding from right to left. Furthermore, as can be seen, the sub-section 7 is slowly decaying as it propagates further to the first section 3.

In the embodiment shown, the beam 6 is projected from the subsection 7 at least partially into the second section 5 at the beginning of the propagation of the subsection 7 through the first section 3. As can be seen best in fig. 1B, the dynamic wave effect extends shortly into the opposite direction of the propagation direction, i.e. into the second section 5, before disappearing again.

Fig. 1A to 1G show one propagation cycle. Once the sub-section 7 is propagated into the first section 3, a new propagation cycle may be started.

Fig. 2A to 2G show a progress bar 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention which has been shown previously in fig. 1A to 1G. The above description relating to each of fig. 1A-1G also applies to the corresponding figures from fig. 2A-2G. The only difference between fig. 1A-1G and fig. 2A-2G can be found in that a hatched pattern is used in fig. 2A-2G to indicate color and/or gradient. Here, the spacing between two vertical bars represents the color/shade they symbolize.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate the display of the progress bar 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated diagram is a screenshot of a display of a medical pump device showing, among other information, a progress bar 1.

In fig. 3A, progress bar 1 is shown at the start of the dispensing process. The first portion 3 here has a size corresponding to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed, extending horizontally over almost the entire width of the display.

In fig. 3A and 3B, the progress bar 1 also comprises a first text indication 9 relating to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed and a second text indication 11 relating to the amount of fluid already dispensed.

In fig. 3B, progress bar 1 is shown during dispensing. Here, the size of the first section 3 becomes smaller compared to the size of the first section 3 shown in fig. 3A, while the size of the second section 5 increases. Further, it can be seen that the overall size of the progress bar 1 remains unchanged.

The subsection 7 comprises the following attenuation gradients: oriented in the opposite direction to the propagation direction and proceeding from right to left and indicating that fluid is being dispensed and that the dispensing direction is on the left hand side.

Fig. 4 illustrates a display of a plurality of progress bars 1,1a to 1n according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In fig. 4, the use of multiple medical pump devices to dispense multiple fluids is shown. As shown, the respective progress bars 1,1a to 1n are displayed in the display. Different colors may indicate different fluids dispensed and/or alarm events. Here, various hatching patterns represent similar or different colors/shades.

Fig. 5 shows a medical system 100 comprising a plurality of medical pump devices 110,110a to 110 n. The medical pump devices 110,110a to 110n are mounted on a rack 130, which rack 130 itself may for example have a stand or be fixed to a wall or the like. In the present case, each of the medical pump devices 110,110a to 110n is an infusion pump. According to fig. 5, the medical system 100 comprises two different types of infusion pumps, namely a medical pump device 110 in the form of a syringe pump and a medical pump device 110a in the form of a positive displacement pump. The medical system 100 may be used, for example, in a hospital. According to further embodiments, a greater variety of medical pump devices may be used, including, for example, feeding pumps and the like.

The medical pump devices 110,110a to 110n are connected to a device 150 for displaying progress information, which device 150 may be comprised in a treatment manager, as described above.

The display of the plurality of progress bars 1,1a to 1n shown in fig. 4 may correspond to one of the plurality of medical pump devices 110,110a to 110n shown in fig. 5, respectively.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a device 150 for displaying progress information. The apparatus comprises: a processing means 152, the processing means 152 being adapted to receive data associated with the total amount of fluid to be dispensed and to continuously receive status information relating to at least the amount of fluid that has been dispensed; and a display means 154, the display means 154 being adapted to display a progress bar.

List of reference numerals

1,1a-1n progress bar

3 first section

5 second segment

6 bundles of

7 subsections

9 first text indication

11 second text indication

100 medical system

110,110a-110n medical pump device

130 machine frame

150 device for displaying

152 processing device

154 display device

Claims (17)

1. A method for displaying progress information regarding dispensing at least one fluid using at least one medical pump device (110), the method comprising:

-receiving, at a processing device (152), data associated with a total amount of fluid to be dispensed;

-continuously receiving, at the processing means (152), status information relating at least to the amount of fluid that has been dispensed;

-displaying, on a display device (154), a progress bar (1), the progress bar (1) comprising:

-a first section (3) having a first size corresponding to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed, and

-a second section (5) having a second size corresponding to the amount of fluid already dispensed; and

-determining whether fluid is being dispensed based on the received status information, and highlighting at least a part of the progress bar (1) based on the determination that fluid is being dispensed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein highlighting is provided by a different dynamic optical appearance of at least a portion of the progress bar.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the different dynamic optical appearance is provided by at least one element of the group comprising: recoloring, flashing, placing a frame at least partially around the progress bar, and varying brightness.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that highlighting at least a part of the progress bar (1) comprises highlighting the first section (3) and/or the second section (5).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar (1) based on determining that the fluid is being dispensed comprises:

superimposing at least a part of the progress bar (1) with a dynamic wave effect extending at least partially from the perimeter of the progress bar (1) by generating at least one sub-section (7) and propagating the sub-section (7) at least partially through the progress bar (1), the sub-section (7) having a different dynamic optical appearance, such as a shadow or a color, in particular a brighter shadow or color than the first section (3) and/or the second section (5).

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that highlighting at least a portion of the progress bar (1) comprises:

by generating a subsection (7) of the first section (3) and propagating the subsection (7) at least partially, in particular horizontally or vertically, through the first section (3) with a predetermined propagation speed, the first section (3) is at least partially superimposed with a dynamic wave effect extending at least partially from one of: a left or right perimeter of the first section (3), or alternatively, a top or bottom perimeter of the first section (3),

wherein the sub-segments (7) have different dynamic optical appearances, e.g. colors, in particular brighter colors than the first segment (3).

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein propagating the subsection (7) comprises:

adding an attenuation gradient to the subsection (7), the attenuation gradient preferably being oriented in the opposite direction to the propagation direction.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein displaying the progress bar (1) comprises:

projecting bundles (6) originating from subsections of the highlighted portion of the progress bar (1) into the non-highlighted portion of the progress bar (1).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein displaying the progress bar (1) comprises:

-displaying the first section (3) and the second section (5) consecutively in a horizontal or vertical direction, and/or

-displaying the first section (3), wherein the first size decreases by an equal amount as the second size of the second section (5) increases, and/or while the amount of fluid that has been dispensed increases

-displaying the progress bar (1) across at least 85% of the available display width or height of the display means, preferably the progress bar (1) across the entire available display width or height of the display means (154), and/or

-displaying, at the first section (3), a first text indication (9) relating to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed, and/or

-displaying, at said second section (5), a second text indication (11) related to the amount of fluid already dispensed, and/or

-displaying the first section (3) in a different shading, preferably displaying the first section (3) in a lighter shading of the same color compared to the second section (5), preferably wherein the different shading of the first section (3) comprises a color gradient.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first section (3) is arranged on the perimeter of the progress bar (1) according to the dispensing direction of the medical pump, in particular the first section (3) is arranged on a first or second side of the progress bar (1).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:

an alarm event is determined based on the received status information, and the first section (3) and/or the second section (5) is highlighted using a color scheme corresponding to the alarm event.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein continuously receiving at the processing device (152) status information related to at least the amount of fluid that has been dispensed comprises:

receiving status information in real time, and/or

Text data is received and displayed in the progress bar (1).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:

dispensing at least a further fluid, in particular a plurality of further fluids, using a further medical pump device (110a to 110n), each fluid using at least one respective further medical pump device (110a to 110 n); and

displaying at least one further progress bar (1a to 1n) associated with the further fluid, in particular a plurality of further progress bars (1a to 1n) associated with the further fluid, at the display means (154).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the method comprises:

displaying the first section (3) and/or the second section (5) of the progress bar (1) and the first section (3) and/or the second section (5) of the further progress bar (1a to 1n) using a specific color and/or contour shape associated with the respective medical pump device (110, 110a to 110 n).

15. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. An apparatus for displaying progress information regarding dispensing of at least one fluid using at least one medical pump device (110), the apparatus comprising:

-processing means (152) adapted to receive data associated with a total amount of fluid to be dispensed, adapted to continuously receive status information relating to at least the amount of fluid already dispensed, and adapted to determine whether fluid is being dispensed based on the received status information; and

-display means (154) adapted to display a progress bar (1), said progress bar (1) comprising:

-a first section (3) having a first size corresponding to the amount of fluid not yet dispensed, and

-a second section (5) having a second size corresponding to the amount of fluid already dispensed, and

wherein at least a portion of the progress bar (1) is highlighted based on determining that fluid is being dispensed.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the medical pump device (110) is a nutritional pump or an infusion pump, in particular a syringe pump, a positive displacement pump or a Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump.

Images