JP2002233504A - Program for maintenance of medical apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a remote control system for repairing and restoring abnormality of a medical apparatus at a low cost, and construct a system capable of coping with a notice of abnormal condition by a mobile medical apparatus. SOLUTION: Data on various conditions of the medical apparatus A1 is collected by SP3a in a hospital (A), it is determined from the condition data whether abnormality occurs in the medical apparatus or not. When abnormality is decided, the abnormal condition is informed to a computer 7 of a service center (S) by an electronic mail or the like through a PHS telephone network 6 and an ISDN telephone network 7 using a PHS telephone 5a. Thus, in the service center (S), the medical apparatus A1 is restored by remote control using the PHS telephone network 6 and the ISDN telephone network 7, and the electronic main is transferred to a service station (STa or the like) in charge of it. According to the contents of the electronic main, an order for parts is placed to a factory (FT) in some case.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for performing maintenance on medical equipment in a hospital according to a maintenance contract or the like, and more particularly, to remotely monitor medical equipment from a service center to perform remote maintenance and the like. The present invention relates to a medical device maintenance program for repairing / repairing a medical device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a medical device in a hospital breaks down, hospital staff (operators, doctors, etc. on the hospital side) call a service center to have the service person come to the service center, so that the service person can be called. Restoration was underway. In this case, the medical device itself has information such as an error log and the like, and after arriving at the hospital, the service technician checks the error log and orders replacement parts assuming an abnormal part of the device. , And repaired abnormal spots.

However, the error log cannot be confirmed unless the serviceman arrives at the hospital. Therefore, the abnormal part cannot be checked until the serviceman arrives at the hospital. Once ordered, it took a considerable amount of time to repair.

[0004] Even if it is not necessary to replace parts, if the abnormal state of the medical device is quickly corrected, the use of the medical device can be started earlier. For example,
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Im)
The aging device always cools the magnet with the cooling device. However, if the cooling device fails, the circulation of the cooling water stops and the temperature of the magnet gradually increases, and it takes time to repair the magnet in accordance with the temperature rise. . That is, if it takes one day from the temperature rise to the start of repair, it takes another day to start use, and if it takes only one hour to start repair, it takes another hour to start use.

In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to install a computer for monitoring the abnormal state of the medical device in the hospital and notify the service center of the abnormal state using a telephone line.

[0006] However, when a computer is installed in a hospital, a telephone line connection port must be installed near the computer. In this case, it is conceivable that a telephone line is wired by constructing a hospital and a new connection port is added, but this cannot be performed in a short period of time at low cost.

[0007] Further, in the case of a mobile device such as an ultrasonic diagnostic device, the installation location of the medical device is not fixed, so that it is difficult to specify the installation location of the telephone line connection port.
Further, in a medical examination car or a mobile medical device (such as an X-ray CT scanner or MRI), the installation location of the medical device cannot be fixed. It is difficult.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has been developed to provide a remote control system for repairing and repairing an abnormality of a medical device as quickly and inexpensively as possible, and furthermore, a mobile system. It is an object of the present invention to construct a system capable of responding to the notification of an abnormal state by a medical device of a type.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is used in a maintenance system for maintaining a medical device installed in a hospital, and is used for a computer to execute various functions. An apparatus maintenance program, comprising: a data collection function for collecting state data of the medical apparatus; and an abnormal state determination function for determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the medical apparatus based on the state data collected by the data collection function. A medical device maintenance program for executing an abnormal status notification function of transmitting a notification regarding an abnormal status to a service center using a PHS telephone when the abnormal status is determined to be abnormal by the abnormal status determination function. Where PH
The S telephone includes a digital cordless telephone (master unit, slave unit). The transmission burst output is 80 milliwatts (average output 10 milliwatts) or less.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, the status data collected by the data collection function is data relating to a daily operation check item at the time of trial operation of the medical device;
The medical device program according to claim 1, wherein the data is data relating to a state of a specific device of the medical device or data relating to an environmental condition around the medical device.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the determination by the abnormality determination function is based on whether or not data on the daily operation check item is within a predetermined standard value range. Or, to determine whether there is an abnormality by comparing the data on the daily operation check item with the data on the daily operation check item of the previous day, or for a certain period of the data on the daily operation check item The medical device maintenance program according to claim 1, characterized in that it is determined whether or not an abnormality is present based on the fluctuation rate.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the whole of a medical device maintenance system (hereinafter, referred to as “the present system”) 1 of the present invention. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing a series of processes when operating the present system 1.

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of medical apparatuses (A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₂ ) installed in a plurality of hospitals (A, B,..., N).
.. An; B ₁ , B ₂ ,... Bn; N ₁ , N ₂ ,... Nn), but in the following description, for convenience of explanation, the medical device (A ₁ ) of the hospital (A) will be described. , A ₂ ,... An) will be described.

In the hospital (A), a plurality of medical devices (A ₁ ,
A ₂ ,... An) are respectively connected to Service Processors (hereinafter, “SP”) through hubs ₂ a.
That. ) 3a. This SP 3a is connected to a PHS (Personal H) via a connection cable 4a.
and-phone System) connected to a telephone. With the PHS telephone 5a, the PHS telephone network 6 and ISDN (Integrated Services) are connected via the nearest base station (here, the base station 6a).
(Digital Network) telephone network.

SP3a includes medical devices (A ₁ , A
_2, ... An) with data representing the various states periodically access (hereinafter, the ability to collect the "status data"), a medical device (A _{1, A} 2, whether _... or abnormality has occurred in An) A program for executing a function of determining and a function of notifying the computer 7 of the service center (S) of an abnormality is recorded.

The connection cable 4a has a PHS PI
AFS (PHS InternetAccess Fo)
(P.Rum Standard) card, etc., is connected to the PHS telephone 5a so that data communication can be performed.

Here, the status data is a medical device (A
₁ , A ₂ ,... An), daily operation items at the time of trial operation, states of specific parts (equipment, parts, etc.) of medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,... An), medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ , .. An) are data and the like relating to environmental conditions around the installation.

An example of the daily operation item is the S / N ratio of the image quality when a phantom is photographed by an MRI apparatus. In this case, the SP 3a determines whether or not the S / N ratio is abnormal based on whether or not the data regarding the S / N ratio is within the range of a predetermined standard value, or determines whether the data regarding the current S / N ratio and the S / N ratio of the previous day are abnormal. It is determined whether or not there is an abnormality by comparing the data with the / N ratio, or when the fluctuation rate of the data on the S / N ratio for a certain period of time suddenly fluctuates outside the specified range, it is determined to be abnormal. In addition, HD of medical equipment
The same applies to state information such as the free information of D (Hard Disk Drive), the temperature of the cooler, and the number of times the medical device starts up per day.

Further, the medical device _{(A 1, A 2, ...} An) as an example of a state of a specific devices (including components), the uninterruptible power supply of the medical device _{(A 1, A 2, ...} An) ( UPS:
Uninterrupted Power Suppl
y) The life of the battery (battery). In this case, the SP 3a determines whether there is an abnormality based on whether the data regarding the charging rate of the battery is within the range of the predetermined standard value, or determines whether the data regarding the current charging rate and the charging rate regarding the previous day are abnormal. It is determined whether or not there is an abnormality by comparing the data with the data, or when the fluctuation rate of the data regarding the charging rate during a certain period of time suddenly fluctuates out of the standard range, it is determined to be abnormal. The same applies to state data such as the remaining amount of helium and the temperature of the magnet.

Further, as an example of the surrounding environmental state where the medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,..., An) are installed, the temperature and humidity of the control room (machine room) of the medical device can be mentioned. In this way, by monitoring the surrounding environmental conditions, it is possible to assert that the medical device is not the responsibility of the manufacturer even if it fails, but that the medical device has failed due to the installed environment.

The state data includes data obtained when operating the medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,... An). For example, there is image data acquired by an X-ray CT scanner.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1, the computer 9 of the service center (S)
N is connected to the N telephone network 7, and the SP (3a, 3b,... 3) of each hospital (A, B,.
n). The service center (S) includes medical equipment (A ₁ , A ₂ ,
.. An; B ₁ , B ₂ ,... Bn; N ₁ , N ₂ ,. A service engineer SE is present at the service center (S). The service engineer SE uses the computer 9 to
Through the DN telephone network 7 and the PHS telephone network 6, the PHS telephones (5a, 5b,..., 5n) are connected to each hospital (A, B,.
N) medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,... An; B ₁ , B ₂ ,.
Bn; N ₁ , N ₂ ,..., Nn) and perform remote control to repair abnormalities in the medical device (remote maintenance). The computer 9, the function of receiving an abnormality notification from the SP3a, and, based on the notification received, no service engineer SE repair or can be a service man a _1, etc. by remote control is restored to go to local A program for executing a function of determining whether the user must make a decision is recorded. Further, the computer 9, a medical device _{(A 1, A 2, ...} An; B 1, B 2, ... Bn; N 1,
N _2, ... Nn) Repair abnormality by remote control (also programs for executing the functions remote maintenance) to be recorded.

In addition to the function of repairing an abnormality by remote control, when the operation of the SP 3a is abnormal or disabled, the power of the SP 3a is automatically turned off.
A function of restarting (restarting) the FF may be provided.
In order to prevent unauthorized access by others, SP3a
By setting a flag to enable remote control from the computer 9 only when a doctor or the like turns on the flag, or to disable remote control without entering a password on the computer 9 to add an unauthorized access prevention function. Is also good. Further, the medical device A
_The computer 9 may have a function of performing remote maintenance of a software defect for operating the SP ₁ or the SP 3a from the computer 9.

A reset function for automatically resetting the computer 9 by itself when remote control by the computer 9 becomes inoperable may be added.

The function of receiving the notification of the abnormality may include a function of deleting information relating to the privacy of the patient, or a function of performing masking or the like when displaying a monitor on the computer 9. In this case, the above function is not added to the program of the computer 9, but information about the privacy of the patient is deleted before the abnormality is notified on the SP 3 a side, or the information is not displayed when the monitor is displayed on the computer 7. SP3 for pre-masking function
You may add to the program of a.

Further, the computer 9 has a medical device (A
_{1, A 2, ..., An} ) of the state (a normal state or abnormal state)
May be recorded, and a program for executing a function of periodically reporting the current state to the SP 3a may be recorded. As an example of this, the state of the medical device is compiled into a report at the service center (S), converted into an image file format such as JPEG, and then converted to the SP3a or the medical device (A ₁ , A ₂ ,..., A).
A function for transmitting the image data as n) is given.

The router 8 and the computer 9 may be incorporated separately from the computer 9 as well as the router 8 and the computer 9.

Subsequently, the computer 7 of the service center (S) is connected to the computer 11 of the factory (FT) via the ISDN telephone network 7 so that it can communicate with the computer 11 using the ISDN telephone network 7. Has become. This factory (FT) includes medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,.
₁ , B ₂ ,... Bn; N ₁ , N ₂ ,.

Here, the computer 9 stores a program for executing a function of ordering parts on the computer 11 based on the contents of the e-mail. The computer 11 records a program for executing a function of receiving an order for the above-mentioned parts. The router 10 is not limited to the case where the router 10 is separate from the computer 9, but may be integrated with the computer 9.

Further, the service center (S)
Computer 7 provides local services via ISDN telephone network 7.
Station (STa, STB, ..., STn) compilation
11a, 11b, ..., 11n
The computer (11) using the ISDN telephone network 7.
a, 11b,..., 11n). This
Service stations (STa, STB, ..., ST)
n) is a medical device (A₁, A₂, ... An; B₁, B₂,
... Bn; N₁, N₂, ... Nn)
Serviceman (a₁, A₂, ... a_nB₁,
b₂, ... b_n; N₁, N ₂, ... n_n) Belong to each
I'm going.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the computer 9 stores transfer destination management tables 20 and 30 for specifying a mail transfer destination. The computer 7 (11a, 11a,
11b) are recorded a program for executing the function of transferring the e-mail.

That is, the computer 7 supplies the data from 8:00 to 18
A transfer destination management table 20 indicating the transfer destination when the above-mentioned e-mail is received and a transfer destination management table 30 indicating the transfer destination when the e-mail is received from 18:00 to 8:00 of the next day are stored. . Transfer destination management table 20
As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, the person in charge of the hospital (A) is the service station (STa), the person in charge of the hospital (B) is the service station (STb),..., The hospital (N).
Represents a relationship such as a service station (STn). Further, the transfer destination management table 30
As shown in FIG. 3 (b), for example, a relation such as charge on Monday is a service station (STa), charge on Tuesday is a service station (STb),... Charge on Sunday is a service station (STn). Is represented.

The computers (13a, 13b,...)
13n), the received e-mail is received, and if necessary, the transmitted e-mail is further transferred to a computer or a mobile phone (not shown) of a service person in charge. A program for executing a function to be executed is recorded. Note that the router (12a, 12
, 12n) are computers (13a,
13n), and may be integrated into the computer (13a, 13b,..., 13n).

The communication network between the SP 3a and the computer 9 is constructed using the PHS telephone network 6 and the ISDN telephone network 7 (Tokyo Telephone Astell). Due to the difference in what is called a common carrier, the base station 6a or the like directly communicates via the ISDN telephone network 7 (NTT
Docomo, DDI pocket).

The computer 9 and the computer 11
Alternatively, the communication network between the computers 13 is
As described above, it may be configured using a telephone line (analog line). In this case, a modem may be used.

Further, the computer 9 and the computer 11
Alternatively, the communication network between the computers 13 is
A leased line (Lease) is used without using a public network such as ISDN.
dLine). In this case, it is very useful in communication where security is important, such as a medical device, in order to prevent external intrusion.

Next, a series of processes in operation of the present system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Examples shown below, a case where abnormality occurs in a medical device A ₁ hospital (A).

First, the SP 3a of the hospital (A) is the hub 2a
, An collects various status data of the medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,... An) from the medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,... An) (step S 1). Next, the SP 3a determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,... An) based on the state data (step S2).

Next, in step S2, if it is determined that there is no abnormality (there is no abnormality), the process returns to step S1, but if it is determined that there is an abnormality, the following step 3 is performed.
Move to

Next, SP3a is, when it is determined that abnormality in the medical device A ₁ occurs, using the data communication by PHS telephones 5a, the error "○○ occurred in the computer 9 of the service center (S) Is sent (step S3). It should be noted that FTP (File Transfer) is not an e-mail.
Protocol) or other data transfer of the entire computer.

Next, the computer 5 of the service center (S) determines the type of abnormality based on the content of the e-mail.
That is, it is determined whether to perform remote control or call a serviceman (step S4).

The type of the abnormality may be determined on the hospital (A) side and notified to the service center (S). For example,
Compares the received logs and normal log SP3a, or found a type of abnormality of the medical device A ₁ from the difference, also,
The type of abnormality may be determined by extracting a keyword from the log received in SP3a.

[0043] Further, by attaching a "fault button" to the medical device A _1, if the doctor or the like presses the "fault button" is abnormal to the service center (S) detects that SP3a is pressed May be added.

If it is determined in step S4 that the computer 5 can perform remote control, the electronic mail is not transferred to the service station (STa, STB,..., STn). In this case, the service center (S), as soon as the service engineer SE confirmation e-mail, access the medical device A ₁ through SP3a hospital (A) from the computer 9 (step S5), and by performing remote control The abnormal state is repaired (remote maintenance) (step S6).

On the other hand, in step S4, the computer 9 when it is determined that the call service man a ₁ or the like, to determine whether it is necessary to order substitution of components from the contents of the electronic mail (step S7). When it is necessary to place an order for a part, an order for a substitute part is made to the computer 11 of the factory (FT) by communication means such as e-mail (step S).
8). Thereby, in the factory (FT), parts are sent to the service station (STa) or the hospital (A) directly (step S9).

Next, the computer 9 executes the above step S
In 7, it is determined whether or not the current time is between 8:00 and 18:00 irrespective of whether or not it is necessary to order a replacement part (step S <b> 10). In the above step S9, the computer 9 is within 8:00 to 18:00 (YE
When it is determined as S), the electronic mail is automatically transmitted to the computer 11a of the service station (STa) in charge of the hospital (A) (step S11). As a result, the service person _{a 1,} etc. in charge of the hospital (A) is go to the hospital (A) (step S12).

On the other hand, in step S9, when the computer 9 determines that the time is between 8:00 and 18:00 (NO), the service station in charge of night (here,
The electronic mail is automatically transferred to the computer 11b of STb) on Tuesday (step S13). As a result, the chosen service person in charge of the hospital (A) _{(Here, b 1),} the service person _{b 1} is go to the hospital (A) (step S14).

[0048] Incidentally, the execution contents of the computer 7 in step S5,11,13 by using a communication network such as e-mail, sequentially, and notifies the medical device _{A 1} which generated the SP3a or abnormal hospital (A) You may. In this case, the notification to the hospital (A) is made in steps S5, 11, 1
3 may be performed in synchronization with the execution of the computer.

As described above, according to the present system 1, the abnormal state of the medical devices (A ₁ , A ₂ ,... An) is transmitted from the hospital (A) to the service center (S) by e-mail or the like. Service engineer SE
Can start remote maintenance quickly. In particular, since an abnormal state can be notified by using data communication by the PHS telephone 5a or the like, a communication network can be constructed more quickly and at lower cost than when a telephone line is wired in a hospital.

Also, since the ordering of parts to the factory (FT) is automatically performed, the time until restoration can be shortened. In addition, each service station from the service center (S) (STa, STb, ..., STn) because it can also contact to carry out the automatic transfer of such as e-mail, a service person a ₁ or the like of the end regardless of the time zone The abnormality of the medical device can be notified.

In the above embodiment, communication between the hospital (A) and the service center (S) is performed by the PHS telephone 5a.
However, since the radio wave emitted from the PHS telephone is less than one tenth of that of the portable telephone, the influence on the medical device is small as compared with the portable telephone. Therefore, in most cases, even if a PHS telephone is used in a hospital, a malfunction such as a malfunction does not occur in the medical device.

However, since this does not necessarily mean that no problem occurs, it is desirable to increase the length of the connection cable 4a and the like to separate the PHS telephone from the medical device.

In an operating room, an intensive care unit (ICU), a coronary artery disease monitoring ward (CCU), and the like, a large number of medical devices directly related to human life are installed. Increase the length, or
Existing communication network (LAN: Local) in the hospital
Area Network) is used to connect to a PHS telephone set up in a safe place (outside a hospital or the like).

[0054]

As described above, if the medical device maintenance program of the present invention is executed by the computer, the hospital can notify the service center of the abnormality of the medical device using the PHS telephone. In addition, it is possible to make an order for parts of a medical device as soon as possible, or to repair an abnormality of a medical device as soon as possible even when it is unnecessary to order parts. In particular, since an abnormal condition can be notified by using data communication by a PHS telephone, a communication network can be constructed more quickly and at lower cost than when a telephone line is wired in a hospital.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entirety of a medical device maintenance system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in operating the medical device maintenance system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a transfer destination management table stored in a computer 7 in the medical device maintenance system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote maintenance system for medical devices 2 Hub 3 Service Processor 4 Connection cable 5 PHS telephone 6 PHS telephone network (6a, etc. are base stations) 7 ISDN telephone network 8 Router 9 Computer 10 Router 11 Computer 12 Router 13 Computer

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G08B 25/10 H04B 7/24 D 5K101 H04B 7/24 H04M 11/00 301 H04M 11/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301B H04Q 9/00 301 311J 311 321E 321 A61B 5/05 390 F term (reference) 4C093 AA30 CA36 EE30 FH06 GA05 4C096 AB45 AD17 EA07 FA04 FA11 FA12 FA13 FC20 5C087 BB10 BB12 BB14 BB20 BB74 BB76 BB74 BB76 BB74 BB76 BB76 BB74 BB76 BB74 BB76 BB74 BB76 BB76 BB76 BB76 BB76 BB76 BB76 BB74 BB76 BB74 BB76 BB74 BB76 FF17 FF19 FF20 FF23 GG08 GG18 GG19 GG21 GG23 GG30 GG69 GG70 5K048 AA08 BA01 CA08 DA02 DC01 DC04 DC07 EA11 EB08 EB12 FB08 FC01 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA07 HA13 HA21 5K067 AA41 BB04 BB27 EE02 NN27 EE27 RR12 SS07 TT06 UU16

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A medical device maintenance program for use in a maintenance system for maintaining a medical device installed in a hospital and for causing a computer to execute various functions, wherein the data is a program for collecting status data of the medical device. A collecting function; an abnormal state determining function for determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the medical device from the state data collected by the data collecting function; and P when an abnormal state is determined by the abnormal state determining function.
An abnormal state notification function for transmitting a notification regarding an abnormal state to a service center using an HS telephone, and a medical device maintenance program for executing the function. 2. The state data collected by the data collection function is data relating to a daily operation check item at the time of trial operation of the medical device, or data relating to a state of a specific device of the medical device, or the medical device 2. The program for a medical device according to claim 1, wherein the data is data relating to an environmental condition of a surrounding area where the program is installed. 3. The determination by the abnormality determination function is performed by determining whether or not data relating to the daily operation check item is within a range of a predetermined standard value. Judging whether or not there is an abnormality by comparing the data on the operation check item with the data on the daily operation check item of the previous day, or whether or not there is an abnormality based on the fluctuation rate of the data on the daily operation item over a certain period of time 2. The medical device maintenance program according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed.