MX2007013627A - Device and method for managing, archiving and/or evaluating blood pressure data - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and to a method for managing, archiving and/or evaluating blood pressure data of a plurality of patients. Blood pressure data of various patients, which is determined by various sphygmomanometers, can be transmitted to a central data server by means of remote data transmission from network terminals, where they are stored in individual patient storage spaces. An access code is requested by an access control device when at attempt is made to access the data server and is compared to an access code which is specific to the respective storage space. An individual device identification code of the sphygmomanometer and/or a chip card identification code of a chip card inserted therein are used as an access code. A charge machine enables a fee storage device, which is provided with the respective storage space, to be automatically reduced for each access to the provided data.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING, ARCHIVING AND / OR EVALUATING BLOOD PRESSURE DATA CROSS REFERENCE This is a United States national phase application in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT / EP2006 / 002202, filed on March 10, 2006 and claiming the benefit of German patent application No. 102005019750.7 filed on April 28, 2005, both are incorporated herein. The International application was published in German on November 2 as WO 2006/114156 A1 in accordance with PCT Article 221 (2).

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a device for managing, archiving and / or evaluating blood pressure data acquired by using blood pressure monitors and providing controlled access to data for a plurality of patients comprising a central data server in which blood pressure data are stored separately from each patient, where the data server has a separate storage space for blood pressure data for each patient and a network connection by means of which data can be recorded in a respective storage space and can be read from the respective storage space using several network terminals and further comprises an access control device for controlling access to storage spaces, wherein said access control device compares a code of access that is unique to the respective storage space. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for handling, archiving and / or evaluating blood pressure data for a plurality of patients, in which the blood pressure data, for different patients, acquired by using different blood pressure monitors, they are transmitted by means of remote data transmission from network terminals to a central data server, where they are stored in storage spaces that are unique to each patient, where, when attempting to access the stored blood pressure data from a specific patient, as part of the attempt to enter an access control device, which is connected to the data server, requests an access code and compares it with an access code that is unique to each storage space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various ways have been proposed for transmitting patient data acquired for a patient by using measurement instruments by means of a remote data transmission to a central data server, where they are handled and evaluated. For example, WO 01/93756 A2 describes a telemonitoring system with which an EKG device is used to acquire the corresponding patient data, which are initially stored in the EKG device in a smart card. At the appropriate time, the data is downloaded from the smart card by means of a card reader device and transmitted by means of a remote data transmission to a central monitoring station, where they can be presented, analyzed and managed to allow a diagnosis doctor. Furthermore, DE 202 14 189 U1 describes a device for a mobile measurement and transmission of values for bodily functions in which the corresponding measuring instrument has a wireless interface for transmitting the measured body function values to a mobile telephone, which at its once it transmits this data via a mobile radio network to a central evaluation unit. By using systems such as this that manage patient data centrally, the stress caused by multiple exams can be avoided to establish several diagnoses because data from different examinations can be collected and available several times. In addition, high quality analytical tools can be used for data analysis and diagnostic support, which for users would be unprofitable and very expensive. However, such systems leave some room for improvement, specifically with respect to access to the data inventory and functions offered by the central data server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a device for managing, archiving and / or evaluating blood pressure data acquired by using blood pressure monitors for a plurality of patients, comprising a central data server in which the blood pressure data is stored separately for each patient and a network connection by means of which the data can be recorded in a respective storage space and can be read from the respective storage space using several network terminals and further comprises an access control device to control access to the storage spaces, where said access control device compares an access code that is transmitted when an attempt is made to enter with an access code that is unique to the respective storage space. The invention also relates to a method for handling, archiving and / or evaluating blood pressure data for a plurality of patients in which blood pressure data for different patients, acquired by using different blood pressure monitors, are transmitted by means of remote data transmission from network terminals to a central data server, where they are stored in storage spaces that are unique to each patient, where, when attempting to enter a specific patient's blood pressure data, As part of the attempt to enter an access control device, which is connected to the data server, it requests an access code and compares it with an access code that is unique to a respective storage space. According to the invention, a unique device identification code for the blood pressure monitor of a respective patient can be removed and / or provided as an access code for a respective storage space in which the blood pressure data of the patient is stored. a respective patient or evaluations derived from said data. The access code that is transmitted when you try to enter can be compared to this unique device identification code for the blood pressure monitor. Therefore, the invention based on the idea that the blood pressure monitor has a unique serial number, which is also stored in the processing files and could be available, for example, by connecting the processing files to the server of central data. Therefore, each patient enters individually to the central data server in any network terminal, is identified by means of a serial number of his device and consults, network or even personally manages his assigned storage space. Within this framework, it is also possible to program a specific password per patient for the respective storage space in an access control device, which is equipped with the appropriate associated programming. Such specific password per patient may be implemented in addition to the aforementioned access control with a unique device identification code. For example, such specific passwords per patient can be used as so-called sub-passwords, to which only the sub-sections of the respective storage space are assigned. In this way, the individual storage sub-spaces can easily be assigned to a plurality of users of a blood pressure monitor, for example within a family. Optionally, the specific password per patient can be programmed in place of a unique device identification code. In this case, the unique device identification code forms only the initial access control, which is established before and can be changed the first time access is obtained. It is advantageous to use the unique device identification code of the respective blood pressure monitor to control the access because the respective storage space of the data server and / or the associated function blocks can be preset or correctly adapted to the data format of the monitor. respective blood pressure. From the unique device identification code, the data server can tell which type of blood pressure monitor will provide the data to be recorded, allowing the server to adapt to the amount of data and the data format for a respective patient. This simplifies the configuration of both the data server and the individual storage space. In one embodiment, blood pressure monitors having chip cards may be used, in which case, the code for entering the respective storage space in the data server may contain a chip card identification code for the chip card respective with which the blood pressure monitor may be equipped for a respective patient. This chip card identification code can be the unique device identification code. The chip card identification code may be removed or provided in addition to the device identification code as a sub-code to divide the access to the respective storage space based on the specific chip card. Frequently, blood pressure monitors are used by a plurality of patients, for example within a home, in which case each patient inserts their card into the device when using it. In this way, specific access per patient can be ensured in a simple way. In principle, the central data server can have several functions. Archiving and handling the respective blood pressure data in the central data server can be provided so that the previously acquired measurement data can optionally be revised at a later time. In one embodiment, the data server can also perform an evaluation of the data using appropriate evaluation and analysis tools and can provide the corresponding evaluation data. Providing this type of central velocity units allows for an evaluation and analysis of blood pressure data of substantially higher quality than would be possible using the blood pressure monitor itself, or even in traditional medical practices, because complex and costly are usually not economical as an accessory for a blood pressure monitor or even for small medical practices. Using this type of evaluation unit, a fee collection machine can be provided which reduces a balance in a fee storage device corresponding to the respective storage space each time the evaluation unit is entered and / or each time a evaluation is prepared by the unit. More than buying a costly evaluation program and / or the corresponding hardware, the centrally located evaluation unit can be entered in a unique way with only a relatively small fee charged for each access. The collection of fees needs to be limited to the evaluation unit and / or the evaluations prepared by it. Access to archived blood pressure data may also be subject to fees. In the fee storage device, it can be provided in a different place in the system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the fee storage device is provided with a chip card which can be assigned to the blood pressure monitor used to acquire the blood pressure data of the respective patient. When an attempt is made to enter the central data server with the chip card, the fee collection device communicates by means of a chip card reader / writer device and reduces the amount in the fee storage device. With this modality, an identification and / or allocation of the storage device of fees to the respective storage space in the data server is superfluous. The chip card serves as a so-called prepaid card with which the central data server can be entered while the card contains a positive balance. The positive balance in the fee storage device can be optionally rechargeable. In another modality, the fee storage device may be provided in the central data server, the fee collection device and / or an associated data storage device. To ensure that the amount is deducted from the correct and allocated fee storage device when an entry attempt is made to the central data server and its data inventory, the fee storage device may be equipped with an identification code. The identification code may contain a device identification code for the respective patient's blood pressure monitor and / or a chip card code for a chip card that is assigned to the respective patient's blood pressure monitor. The fee collection device can identify the respective fee storage device using the device identification code and / or the chip card code that is transmitted when an attempt is made to enter the central data server. The transmission of data from the blood pressure monitor to the central data server can be achieved in several ways. In one embodiment, the measured data may be entered into the network terminal by hand, and the data transmitted therefrom to the central data server. For example, the user can transmit the memory data and the times measured in the blood pressure monitor to the central data server. Alternatively, the data acquired by the blood pressure monitor can be read from the blood pressure monitor by means of a reading device. Specifically, the data stored on the chip card and the blood pressure monitor can be read by means of a chip card reader device and thus transmitted to the central data server. The chip card reader device may be configured in such a way that it automatically reads a chip card identification code and / or stores it for removal. In one embodiment, the reading device may be connected to the network terminal and / or may optionally cnicate through a wireless connection through a suitable interface. In one embodiment, the blood pressure data sets transmitted to the central data server are achieved when it can be read at any time, all over the world, specifically by means of an Internet terminal. In the data server, evaluations and analyzes can be performed and the corresponding elaboration and analytical data can be stored. Additionally, an evaluation of the current time outside the blood pressure data stored in the storage spaces of the central data server can be implemented by means of the appropriate evaluation means. In addition, a graphic representation of the course of blood pressure and / or pulse over time can be prepared. Alternatively or additionally, the trend analyzes can be performed in certain measurement periods and the trend data can be specifically supplied graphically. For example, measurements can be monitored over a period of one month. Alternatively or additionally, the blood pressure data analysis performed on the central data server may involve a determination of the mean values and standard deviations of the blood pressure data over a specific time for a specific storage space, in other words , for a specific patient. Alternatively or additionally, the daily profiles of the blood pressure levels for a patient can be calculated from the blood pressure data stored using the appropriate evaluation means. In another embodiment of the invention, the system can comprise a data blocking device with which a user can block certain data. The blocking device may preferably be activated with a code and / or password protection. To give a doctor, to a medical practice or access to the hospital to the necessary data of a patient, the access control device may include a master access with which data from several storage spaces can be entered. Preferably, this master access can be enabled with a master code and / or a master password.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features will be obvious by means of the drawings in which Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device for managing, archiving and evaluating the blood pressure data in a central data server according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a blood pressure that is measured daily from a respective patient 2, optionally over a plurality of measurement cycles over an extended time, using a blood pressure monitor 1. The corresponding blood pressure data is first stored in the blood pressure. memory of the blood pressure monitor 1. In this case, the blood pressure monitor 1 advantageously includes a chip card 3 in the form of a memory card or a smart card which provides sufficient storage space and can be inserted into the monitor of blood pressure as an extension. The aforementioned chip card 3 can be detached from the blood pressure monitor 1 and read by means of a chip card reader / writer device 4. In addition to the blood pressure data set a chip card identification code which is unique for the chip card it is read at the same time and used to identify the blood pressure data set. The chip card reader / writer device 4 can communicate by means of a suitable interface with an Internet terminal 5 in the form of a PC, with which data can be read from the chip card that can be transferred to the data server central 6. In the data server 6, a corresponding storage space 7 is provided for the respective patient 2, which can be determined using the chip card identification code. The entry into the respective storage space is controlled by means of the access control device 8 which is connected to the central data server 6 and compares the access code transmitted from the Internet terminal 5 with the access code that has been stored for the respective storage space 7, specifically the chip card identification code. The identification code or chip card which is a counter reader by means of the access control device 8 does not need to be stored in the central data server 6, and can be stored, for example in a manufacturer file 9 which can be connected to the data server 6. In this file, the additional set data and control parameters that are unique to the respective blood pressure monitor 1 may be linked to the respective chip card identification code. The blood pressure data transcribed in the respective storage space 7 can be evaluated and analyzed by means of an evaluation unit 10. The evaluations and corresponding analytical data are placed by means of the evaluation unit 10 in the respective storage space 7 or the evaluation data storage space that is linked to said space so that they can be removed through the Internet terminal 5 in an appropriate manner following the identification by means of the access control device 8. The withdrawal of the evaluations can also be be subject to fees. For this purpose, the access control device 8 can have a fee collection device 11 which decreases the balance in a fee storage device each time access to the evaluations is obtained and which can be a part of the storage space 7 or it may be placed in said space. The fee storage device can be charged in an appropriate manner. For example, when a new blood pressure monitor is purchased, a corresponding initial positive balance can be stored in it, which can be reloaded via the subscriber to the central data server 6 through the corresponding payments. With the system shown in figure 1, one can have a multitude of advantages. To begin with, electronic capture, evaluation and visualization of blood pressure data present an important benefit for patients. A storage depth substantially greater than possible can be achieved with a blood pressure record that is stored by hand. In addition, the evaluation of the data, which is performed centrally by the central data server 6, is a service that generates costs only when it is actually used. The expensive evaluation tools for the respective users can be eliminated. In addition, data evaluation always uses update processes and can be monitored centrally. Although the respective Internet terminal 5 may not have its own evaluation software and / or have its software installed, patient 2 may use a printer to print the evaluations. In addition, the ability to communicate with the respective physician and / or person is substantially simplified. The medical practice does not need to have any special hardware and software. The blood pressure monitor does not need to be taken to the doctor's office. In addition, the physician's ability to access the central data server 6 offers the security of continuous treatment monitoring, without the patient having to visit the office continuously. Of course, the central evaluation unit 10 also allows the use of complex high-cost evaluation programs and enables a higher-quality interpretation of data and determination of treatment measures.

Claims (17)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A device for manipulating blood pressure data of a plurality of patients acquired using the blood pressure monitors, said device comprising: a central data server in which the blood pressure data are stored separately for each plurality of patients; an individual storage space for the blood pressure data of each patient in the central data server; an operable network connection to record the data in the individual storage space and read the data from the individual storage space; an operable access control device for controlling access to storage spaces by comparing a transmitted access code including a single device identification code for the blood pressure monitor used to acquire the patient's blood pressure data corresponding to the space individual storage that is transmitted when an attempt is made to enter with a single access code corresponding to the individual storage space.

2. The device according to claim 1, further chaerized in that the access code includes a chip card identification code for a chip card that is included with the respective patient's blood pressure monitor.

3. The device according to claim 1, further chaerized in that the access code includes a specific password per patient.

4. The device according to claim 1, further chaerized in that it further comprises an evaluation unit that can operate to evaluate the blood pressure data sets stored in the individual storage space; a storage device for fees corresponding to the individual storage space; and an operable fee collection device to decrease a balance in the fee storage device when at least one of an attempt is made to enter the evaluation unit and an evaluation is prepared by the evolution unit.

5. The device according to claim 4, further chaerized in that the honorarium storage device includes an identification code comprising a device identification code for at least one of the operable blood pressure monitors for acquiring the data of blood pressure in the respective patient and a chip card code for a chip card included with the blood pressure monitor and wherein the fee collection device is operable to identify the storage device for fees using the stored identification code .

6. - The device according to claim 4, further chaerized in that the fee storage device is placed on a chip card included in the blood pressure monitor and because the fee collection device uses a card reader / writer device. chip to reduce the storage device balance of fees on the chip card.

7. The device according to claim 1, further chaerized in that it additionally comprises a chip card reader device operable to read the data stored in the chip card of the blood pressure monitor where the chip card reader device is located. configured to automatically read a chip card identifier code.

8. The device according to claim 1, further chaerized in that it further comprises an operable evaluation unit for at least one of the blood pressure data sets stored in the storage spaces with respect to its course over time and provide the graphic representation of the temporal tendencies of the blood pressure levels.

9. The device according to claim 1, further chaerized in that it further comprises an operable evaluation unit for determining a trend in the blood pressure data of a set of blood pressure data in an individual storage space.

10. - The device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises an operable evaluation unit for determining the mean values and standard deviations of blood pressure data in an individual storage space within a certain period of time.

11. The device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises an operable evaluation unit for calculating the daily profiles of the blood pressure levels for a patient from the stored blood pressure data.

12. The device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a data blocking device operable to block certain data in a storage space where the blocking device is activated with at least one of the code protections and passwords.

13. The device according to claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises the master access capability with which the data of various storage spaces is accessible using at least one of the master codes and a master password.

14. A method for handling, archiving and / or evaluating blood pressure data for a plurality of patients, the method comprising: acquiring the blood pressure data of different patients acquired using different blood pressure monitors; transmitting blood pressure data to a central data server by means of remote data transmission; store the blood pressure data for each patient in a specific storage space per patient; comparing a corresponding access code with an access attempt of stored blood pressure data with a single access code for the specific storage space per patient; wherein the access code corresponds to the access attempt of the stored blood pressure data that includes at least one single device identification code for the blood pressure monitor used to acquire the blood pressure data.

15. The method according to claim 14, further characterized in that the blood pressure data sets stored in the storage spaces are evaluated by means of an evaluation unit 10 and the corresponding evaluations can be stored in the data server, where when an attempt is made to enter the stored evaluations, a fee collection device automatically reduces the balance in a fee storage device which is maintained for the respective storage space in which the required evaluation is stored, based on the number of access attempts and / or the access duration.

16. The device according to claim 4, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a storage device for honors corresponding to the individual storage space.

17. The device according to claim 16, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a fee collection device operable to decrease a balance in the fee storage device when at least one of an attempt to enter the unit is made. evaluation and an evaluation is prepared by the evaluation unit.