GB2487175A

GB2487175A - Device for monitoring the operation of a medical apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2487175A
Application number: GB1208720.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Claude Desgorces; Dominique Henault
Original assignee: CD CONSULTING INNOVATIONS
Current assignee: CD CONSULTING INNOVATIONS
Priority date: 2009-10-20
Filing date: 2010-10-11
Publication date: 2012-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-11
Also published as: EP2490763A1; FR2951380A1; FR2951380B1; GB201208720D0; GB2487175B; WO2011048286A1; GB2487175A9

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 A MEDICAL APPARATUS The invention relates to a monitoring device, particularly a device arranged so as to be mounted on a medical apparatus.

The progress made in medical equipment has enabled a significant rise in its use outside the conventional hospital environment. Thus, it is not unusual to encounter equipment such as defibrillators in commercial premises.

The new use of such equipment gives rise to numerous questions and problems.

As a matter of fact, it is becoming more and more complicated to monitor the operational state of ever more numerous pieces of equipment, and remote monitoring solutions by wired communication consequently limit the operating range of the equipment.

The invention sets out to remedy the situation.

To this end, the invention proposes a monitoring device arranged so as to be mounted on a medical apparatus,comprising: -an operation sensor arranged to determine data designating a state of an apparatus on which the device is mounted, -a rest sensor arranged to determine data designating a movement of an apparatus on which the device is mounted, -a location determination device arranged to determine location data of the device, -a radio transmitter capable of establishing a wireless connection for transmitting data, and -a controller arranged to selectively activate the location determination device and the transmitter in accordance with the data from the operation sensor and the rest sensor, by transmitting the data from the location determination device when the latter is activated.

This is particularly advantageous, as this device makes it possible for defibrillators to be made portable, i.e. to increase their operating range, while monitoring their availability and warning of possible breakdowns.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from reading the description that follows, taken from embodiments provided in an illustrative capacity without being restrictive and shown in the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a device according to the invention mounted on a defibrillator attached to a wall, Figure 2 is an operating diagram of the device in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a status diagram showing, by way of example, the operation of the device in Figure 2.

The drawings and description that foftow essentially contain elements of a certain nature. They may therefore not only serve to assist with the understanding of the present invention but may also contribute to its definition in some cases.

Egure I shows a defibrillator 2 on which is mounted a monitoring device 4.

The defibrillator 2 is attached to a wall 6 by fixings 8. The defibrillator 2 also comprises light-emitting diodes 10 which indicate the operationalstate of the defibrillator 2 by their flashing.

As will be more easily seen in Figure 2, this flashing is utilised by the monitoring device 4.

The monitoring device 4 is mounted on the defibrillator 2 by means of screws (not shown). Other means for attaching the monitoring device 4 to the defibrillator 2 maybe used, such as clips or adhesives, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the monitoring device 4.

The monitoring device 4 comprises a sensor 20, a communications module 22, an aerial 24, a speaker 26, a battery 28, an. accelerometer 30, a position determination device 32 and a controller 34. -3.-

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 sent to the controller 34 to indicate the operational state of the defibrillator 2.

As a mailer of fact, the defibrillator 2 comprises diagnostic mechanisms which make it possible to detect an internal operating problem such as a battery failure, or a potential use, such as the fact that the electrodes have been taken out of their housing.

In normal circumstances, the defibrillator 2 activates the light-emitting diodes 10 so that they emit a so-called "control signal".

In response to detecting a battery failure or a disconnection of the electrodes, the defibrillator activates the diodes to emit a light signal which is different from the control signal.

The sensor 20 is configured to detect this change and irterpret the new signal emitted by the light-emitting diodes 10 and to send a corresponding signal to the controller 34.

When the controller 34 receives from the sensor 20 a signal indicating a state of the defibrillator 2 other than the resting state, the controller 34 is able to control the communications module 22 to send a communication via the aerial 24 to indicate the change of state.

In the embodiment described here, the communications module 22 is a GPRS type mobile telephony transmitter/receiver which is capable of transmitting data in the form of packets and of establishing a GSM-type communication with a control station.

The communications module 22 could be a 3G type or other type of mobile telephony transmitter/receiver, or any other type of radio transmitter capable of sending data.

The control station is an entity the role of which is to monitor the operation of a fleet of defibrillators 2, each equipped with a monitoring device 4, and to act in accordance with the data received, depending on whether a breakdown or an activation is detected, for example.

As a function of the change of state detected, the controller 34 can therefore send data through the communications module 22 to the control station.

In response, the control station can initiate a GSM-type communication with the monitoring device 4 to enable an operator of the control station to guide a user of the defibrillator 2 in the operations that are to be carriqd out, through the speaker 26.

The controller 34 can also command the speaker 26 to give out voice instructions when certain signals are detected, for example to explain to a user of the defibrillator 2 how to replace worn electrodes.

The controller 34 may also control the communications module 22 at regular intervals to establish a control communication with the control station.

This makes it possible to check that the communications module 22 is operating satisfactorily. Thus, if a problem is encountered linked to the subscription of the communications module 22 (for example an unpaid invoice), or if the battery of the communications module 22 has run down, or if there is any other problem preventing the control communication, this can be detected both by the controller 34 and by the control station.

In response, the controller 34 may send a signal indicating this problem, by means of the speaker 26 or by any other means. -.5-

Similarly, at the control station end, failure to receive a control communication from a monitoring device 4 being monitored may also trigger an alert indicating a failure of the communications module 22, and an appropriate response.

Thus, the reliability of the monitoring device 4 is ensured, guaranteeing that the information relating to the defibrillator 2 is accurate.

in the embodiment described here, the battery 28 supplies all the electronic devices of the monitoring device 4. However, each device could have its own battery.

In the embodiment described here, the accelerometer 30 is a triaxial accelerometer, making it possible to detect any movement of the monitoring device 4.

As the monitoring device 4 is intended to be fixedly attached to the defibrillator 2 at all times, any movement signal detected by the accelerometer 30 thus indicates that the defibrillator 2 is being moved.

The controller 34 is arranged so as to monitor any signal coming from the accelerometer 30 indicating movement and, in response, to activate the communications module 22 accordingly, to send data indicating such movement to the control station.

In response to the data, the control station operator may contact the person responsible for the defibrillator to inform him of its movement. This enables the person to be kept informed of the use of the defibrillator.

It will be noted that in the event of a movement detected by the accelerometer 30 corresponding to the detachment of the monitoring device 4 from the defibrillator 2 (forexample in order to steal the defibrillator 2), this information is just as important as the movement of the defibrillator 2 in order to use it.

As a matter of fact, the monitoring device 4 is essential for monitoring the satisfactory operational state of the defibrillator 2, and the control station will contact the person responsible for the defibrillator 3, who can then confirm whether the use being made of the defibrillator is legitimate or not.

It will be noted that the acOelerometer 30 may be replaced by other means of detecting movement. For example, a light sensor could be used which is blocked When the defibriflator 2 is on its mount and which is exposed to light when the defibrillator 2 is removed from its mount.

Advantageously, when a movement signal of the monitoring device 4 is detected by the accelerometer 30 and received by the controller 34, the latter may react by activating the position determination device.

As a matter of fact, as soon as the accelerometer 30 detects movement of the monitoring device 4, it is particularly useful to monitor these movements.

Thereafter, the controller 34 may activate the communications module 22 to transmit, to the control station, the position data received from the device 32.

This information transmission may advantageously be carried out within the.

scope of the communication established when movement has been detected by the accelerometer 30. It may also be carried out within the scope of another communication initiated by the controller 34 via the communications module 22.

In the embodiment described here, the position determination device 32 is a GPS receiver. Thus, it is possible to determine, with a resolution of a few metres, the exact location of the monitoring device 4 when the defibrillator 2 is removed from its mount.

According to an alternative embodiment, the position determination device 32 could be replaced by communication with a GSM triangulation server which uses the communications of the communications module 22 with the surrounding aerials to determine the position of the monitoring device 4 to an accuracy of the order of 100 metres. . The ability of the monitoring device 4 to determine its location and transmit this location is extremely crucial in the field of mobile defibrillators, As a mailer of fact, these defibrillators are placed under the responsibility of people who have a legal obligation to ensure their operation, It is therefore particularly important not only to determine whether the defibrillator is in working order but also whether it is where it is supposed to be.

Conventionally, defibrillators had only limited mobility, if any, and remote monitoring was limited to wired solutions that were not very effective.

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

Figure.3 shows an embodiment of an operating loop of the controller 34.

This starts by initializing a time counter in an operation 300. The controller 34 starts by performing a function Shnt() in an operaUon 310 in order to determine whether the monitoring device 4 should be switched off.

As a matter of fact, 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 switched off so as not to risk interfering with the operation.

If this condition is detected, i.e. in an operation 312, the monitoring device 4 is switched off by means of a function B1RQ. The switch-off is preceded by the sending of a data packet to the control station, by the controller 34 via the * communications module 22, indicating that the defibrillator 2 is currently in use.

In the embodiment described here, the test on the operation 310 is carried out before every function is performed by the controller 34 to ensure that the monitoring device 4 is switched off as soon as the defibrillator 2 is activated.

For this reason, the operating combination 310-312 will not be repeated hereinafter, even though it is carried out every time.

Advantageously, a specific procedure is required in order to reactivate the monitoring device 4 once the operation 312 has been carried out. This makes it possible to ensure that a user cannot reactivate the monitoring device 4 accidentafly while the defibrillator 2 is in use.

in an operation 314, the controller 34 determines whether it has received an exception signal by means of a function ExceptQ.

The function Except() may, for example, consult a working memory written in by the sensor 20, the communications module 22 and the accelerometer 30.

Exception signal, should be understood as concerning any signal indicating operation of the defibrillator 2 or of the monitoring device 4 which requires communication with the control station.

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

If the operation 314 does detect an exception, a function LnTI() is executed in an operation 316. This function is intended to detect a problem with the communications module 22.

As a matter of fact, as has been seen with the description of Figure 2, if the control communication does not reach the control station or if another problem is detected with the communications module 22, it is advantageous to indicate this.

If the function LnTI() detects a problem, the controller 34 executes a function SignaiLnTl() in an operation.318.

This function causes, for example, the speaker 26 to emit an audible signal or a message informing the users, of the defibrillator 2 that the communications module 22 has a problem.

On the other hand, if the problem detected does not directly affect the ability of the communications module 22 to communicate, for example if the problem detected corresponds to low power in the battery 28 sujplying it, the function SignalLnTl() may also initiate a communication with the control station to send a data packet containing a code indicating the type of problem encountered.

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

If this is the case, the controller 34 activates the communications module 22 in an operation 322 by means of a function SignalPb, and sends the control station a data packet containing a code indicating the technical error detected.

If the exception detected is not a technical problem with the defibrillator 2, this means that the exception detected in operation 314 comes from the accelerometer 30. In response, the controller 34 executes a function SignaIMv() in an operation 324.

By this function, the controller 34 activates the communications module 22 to send a data packet containing a code indicating that the defibrillator 2 is in the process of being moved.

By executing the function SignaIMv, the controller 34 also triggers the activation of the position determination 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 position data of the monitoring device 4 are recovered in an operation 326 and sent via the communications module 22 to the control station by a function SndPst() regularly, for example every 30 seconds, until the battery 28 is exhausted or the function BIk() has been executed.

Advantageously, the function SndPst() may make use of the data obtained from the accelerometer 30.

As a matter of fact, when the monitoring device 4 is located in closed premises, there is a strong chance that the position determination device will encounter problems if it is a OPS receiver.

In this case, the data of the accelerometer 30 may be time-integrated in order to derive a movement vector for the monitoring device 4. in any case, these data may act as redundant data making it possible to validate a position determined by the position determination device 32.

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

The consequence of this is that numerous safety measures are put into place for detecting all kinds of operating anomalies and for deactivating the monitoring device as soon as the use of the defibrillator is detected.

However, the monitoring device is compatible with every other kind of portable medical apparatus on which it can be mounted. In such cases, certain functions and/or safety measures can be adapted or omitted in order to simply the monitoring device.

Furthermore, the monitoring device described here uses a light sensor which makes use of the fact that the defibrillator emits a light signal to indicate its operational state.

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

Claims

Claims 1. Monitoring device (4) arranged so as to be mounted on a medical apparatus (2), characterised in that it comprises: -an operation sensor (20) arranged to determine data designating a state of an apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted, -a rest sensor (30) arranged to determine data designating a movement of an apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted, -a location determination device (32) arranged to determine location data of the device (4), -a transmitter (22) capable of eètablishing a wireless connection for transmitting data, and -a controller (34) arranged to selectively activate the location determination device (32) and the transmitter (22) in accordance with the data from the operation sensor (20) and the rest sensor (30), by transmitting the data from the location determination device (32) when the latter is activated.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the controller (34) is arranged, in response to data from the operation sensor (20) indicating activatiop of an apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted, to deactivate the location determination device (32) and emit data indicating activation of an apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller (34) is arranged, in response to data from the rest sensor (30) indicating movement of an apparatus (2) on which the device (4) is mounted, to activate on the one hand the location determination device (32) and on the other hand the transmitter (22) with data indicating movement of the apparatus (2) and with the locatipn data obtained from the location determination device (32).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (34) is arranged so as to determine data indicating a powered state of the device (4) and is arrahged, in response to data indicating a low battery (28) state, to activate the transmitter (22) with data indicating this state.

-12 -
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a* speaker (26) adapted to be activated by the controfler (34) and/or a radio receiver (22) coupled to the transmitter (22).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operation sensor (20) is a light sensor,
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rest sensor (30) is a triaxial accelerometer.
8, Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitter (22) is a GPRS transmitter.