MXPA00004595A - Method and apparatus for monitoring a patient - Google Patents

Abstract

A remotely programmable and accessible medical device system (10) including an interface unit (14) and a medical device (12) connected to a patient (18) is disclosed. Through a transceiver, such as a telephone (48) or computer (50), a person may obtain status reports from a remotely located medical device in audible, electronic or paper form. In addition, the person may change a protocol associated with the medical device or be alerted to a remote location of an alarm associated with the medical device.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A PATIENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a health care system with remote access for medical applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system associated with a patient medical device that allows a healthcare provider located remotely from the patient to allow the provider to monitor the status of the patient's current medical condition and with the ability to edit the patient's protocol, document changes to the patient's protocol, and notify the care provider of the alarm conditions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Due to the high costs of health, the high costs of hospital rooms, the desire to provide comfort and convenience to patients, the medical industry has promoted home care for patients suffering from various diseases. Many patients must be connected to various medical devices. These medical devices frequently monitor certain parameters of the patient's health and have controls that must be adjusted due to changes in the patient's needs. Changes in therapy may also require that the entire protocols be programmed. In the early versions of these medical devices, the physical presence of a health care provider was required to adjust the protocol of the device. This reprogramming is expensive and time consuming. In addition, health care providers such as hospitals, and health insurance agencies that pay for health care, now often require support documents for all medical procedures. For example, a health insurance agency may require a patient to verify that the specific parameters that measured their health are at a certain level in order to reimburse the patient or the agency may require evidence that the equipment is actually being used. the form that was projected. Also, patients or their home care providers often fail to inform the care provider that an alarm associated with the medical device was presented and, in hundreds cases, patients may alter a device in response to an alarm condition. Therefore there is a need for a system for a remotely controlled medical device that can inform caregivers of a patient's condition by notifying alarm conditions and sending the status reports through a remote fax or computer of the care provider or other health personnel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a system for a remotely programmable medical device and a method for remotely programming a medical device system through a remote transmitter and receiver that meets the objectives stated above. The system of the present invention allows a care provider to obtain, from a remotely located medical device, associated with a patient, the status of the patient, to change the patient's protocol, or to request documentation through a transmitter and receiver. with a toned roof after receiving the synthesized voice instructions. This method is simple to use and does not require training; allows the care provider to perform the above functions in any part that has a telephone. If the care provider has access to a computer, he has the option to perform the same functions as with the telephone, as described above, but he can also observe the patient's condition in real time on the computer screen while changing through a graphic form or a tabular form or send a file with the desired parameters to the system to program the medical device. The health care provider's computer can also instruct the system to automatically send a status report at set time intervals to a specified location and automatically call the care provider to notify about an alarm condition. Additionally, the system can remotely program multiple medical devices connected to one or more patients or remotely program the multiple patient protocol in a single programming session upon entering the central data storage location. To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention according to its embodiment and the amplitude described therefor, the present invention defines a system for a remotely accessible and programmable medical device having a programmable protocol, the The system for the medical device is remotely programmable through a remote transmitter and receiver, such as a touch-tone telephone or a computer. Alternatively, it is possible that the medical device does not have a programmable protocol. For example, the device can exclusively monitor the vital signs of the patient. The system for the remotely programmable medical device of the present invention comprises a memory for storing a programmable protocol or the recording of an activity and a remote communication port for sending a voice signal to the remote transmitter and receiver, sending data to a fax machine remote or a computer, and receive a remote programming signal from a remote transmitter and receiver. The system also comprises a voice storage unit for storing a voice signal and a processor coupled to: (1) the remote communication port, for processing the programmable protocol in response to receiving the remote programming signal; (2) a voice storage unit for accessing the voice signal from the voice storage unit; and (3) the memory to access the programmable protocol from memory. In a further aspect, the present invention comprises a system for a medical device having a programmable alarm routine stored in a memory. The system for the medical device comprises a medical device having a data port and an interface unit coupled or integrated with a data port of the medical device in the medical device through a data interface port. The interface unit further comprises a voice storage unit for storing a voice signal announcing that an alarm condition has been presented and a remote communication port for automatically sending the voice signal to the remote tone transmitter and receiver or sending automatically data referring the alarm condition to a remote fax or a remote computer. The interface unit also comprises a processor coupled to: (1) the remote communication port, for processing the alarm condition in response to receiving the alarm signals from the medical device; (2) the voice storage unit for accessing the voice signal from the voice storage unit; and (3) the memory to access the alarm routine from the memory. A signal from the alarm in the medical device is relayed to the data port of the interface through the data port of the medical device. In another aspect, the present invention comprises a remotely programmable medical device system having a programmable protocol stored in a protocol memory, the system being programmable through a remote transmitter and receiver. The system for the medical device comprises of an interface unit and at least one medical device, each of the medical devices has a data port and an interface unit coupled or integrated with each of the data ports in the device respective doctor through a data interface port. The interface unit further comprises a voice storage unit for storing a voice signal and a remote communication port for sending a voice signal to the remote tone transmitter and receiver, sending data to a remote fax or to a remote computer, and to receive a programming signal (such as a double-tone multiple frequency signal in the case of a remote telephone) from the remote transmitter and receiver. The interface unit also comprises a processor, coupled to: (1) the remote communication port, for the processing of the programmable protocol in response to the reception of the remote programming signal; (2) the voice storage unit for accessing the voice signal from the voice storage unit; and (3) the memory to access the programmable protocol from memory. The processed programmable protocol is relayed from the processor to the medical device through the data interface port. In another aspect, the present invention comprises a system for remotely programmable medical device having programmable protocols for multiple patients stored in a central memory location, the system is programmable through a remote transmitter and receiver. The system comprises a remote central data storage unit, multiple medical devices that are connected to multiple patients, an interface unit for each of the patients, and each of the medical devices has a data port coupled to a post of data in its respective interface unit. Each of the interface units comprises a voice storage unit for storing a voice signal and a remote communication port for sending a digital signal to a remote central data storage location, sending data to a remote fax or a computer remote, and to send and receive a remote programming signal (such as a digital signal in the case of a computer) from a remote tone transmitter and receiver. Each of the interface units also comprises a processor, coupled to: (1) its remote communication port, to process the programmable protocol in response to receiving the remote programming signal; (2) its voice storage unit for accessing the voice signal from the voice storage unit; and (3) its memory to access the programmable protocol from its memory. The processed programmable protocol is relayed from the processor to the medical device through the data interface port. The remote central data storage unit comprises: a voice storage unit for storing a voice signal; a first communication port for sending the voice signal to a remote tone transmitter and receiver, sending data to a remote fax or a remote computer, and for receiving a remote programming signal from the remote tone transmitter and receiver; and a second communication port for sending and receiving signals from the data ports of medical devices. The remote central data storage unit further comprises a processor, coupled to: (1) the first remote communication port, for processing the programmable protocol in response to receiving the remote programming signal; (2) the second remote communication port, for processing the programmable protocol that is sent to the patient interface unit; (3) the voice storage unit for accessing the voice signal from the voice storage unit; and (4) the memory to access the programmable protocol from memory. The processed programmable protocol is relayed from the processor of the remote central data storage unit to the processor of an interface unit through the second remote communication port. The additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will be apparent from the detailed description of the drawings that follow, when considered with the attached figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 schematically illustrates the medical system of the present invention with which a healthcare provider can remotely access and control a medical device associated with a patient; Figure 2 schematically illustrates an arrangement of a system interface illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a flowchart that illustrates a general methodology of interface control; Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a computer programming mode of the system; Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a system access code menu; Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a system alarm control menu; Figure 7 illustrates the relationship of the diagrams in Figures 7A1, 7A2, and 7A3; Figures 7A1 - 7A3 are flow charts illustrating a portion of the main menu of the system illustrated in Figure 3 adapted for use with a mechanical fan, - Figure 7B is a flow chart illustrating a fax report menu of the system adapted for use with a mechanical fan; Figure 7C is a flow chart illustrating a system file delivery menu adapted for use with a mechanical ventilator; Figure 7D is a flow diagram illustrating a system protocol editing submenu adapted for use with a mechanical fan; Figure 8A is a flow chart illustrating a portion of the main menu of the system illustrated in Figure 3 adapted to be used in a vital signs monitor; Figure 8B is a flow chart illustrating a system fax report menu adapted for use with a sign monitor; and Figure 8C is a flow diagram illustrating a file delivery menu adapted for use with a vital signs monitor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FORM OF REALIZATION OF PREFERENCE Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In accordance with the present invention, a system for a remotely programmable medical device is provided which allows programming and remote communication with a medical device from a remotely located transmitter and receiver, such as a tone telephone or a computer. The system includes a memory, a voice storage unit, a remote communication port and a processor that is coupled to the remote communication port, voice storage and memory. It should be understood in the present that the terms "programming", "programmable" and "processing" are generalized terms that refer to a number of operations, functions and manipulation of data. These terms, therefore, are not limited in the present to edit and delete data, parameters, protocols and codes. For example, programming and processing, as used herein, may include editing, changes, deleting, entering, re-entering, viewing, re-viewing, blocking and inserting functions. An exemplified embodiment of the system of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 and is generally designated with reference numeral 10. As embodied herein and shown in Figure 1, the system for the remotely programmable medical device 10 includes a medical device 12 and an interface unit 14.

The medical device preferably includes a connection to the patient 16, such as a wire through which patient data is transmitted, as from a sensor. The interface 14 includes a cable 20 for connecting the interface 14 to the medical device 12, controls 22 for controlling the operation of the interface 14, lights of the screen 24 for indicating the various conditions of the interface 14 and an internal audio device 26 for provide auditory warning signals. As embodied herein, the controls 22 include a linking button 28, a local button 30 and a send button 32. Alternatively, the local button 30 may not be present as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The lights of the display 24 include a standby light 34, a telephone / computer light 36, an alarm light 38. The function of the controls 22 and the lights of the display 24 will be described in detail below. The interface 14 also preferably includes a remote communication port 40 and a local communication port 42. In the alternative for coupling through a wiring 20, the interface 14 and the medical device 12 can communicate via 1 interface interface port. data 44 and a data port of medical device 46, each comprising a wireless emitter / detector pair. Preferably, the data ports 44, 46 each comprise an infrared emitter / detector or RF, which allows wireless communication between the medical device 12 and the interface 14. Other wireless communication ports may also be used. A power cable 20 is preferably used to supply power to the medical device 12 through the interface 14. Alternatively, the medical device may have its own power cable coupled directly to the power source (not shown), as opposed to being connected through the interface 14. As embodied herein, the remote communication port 42 and the port local communication 40 (if present) each comprises a standard modem, as is well known in the art. The modem can operate at 28800 baud or other baud rate. The system can be arranged in such a way that a care provider located near the patient, such as at the patient station in a hospital when the patient is in the hospital, can have access to interface 14 through local port 40, as through a hard wire link. On the other hand, if the healthcare provider is located at a remote location in the system for the medical device 10, the system is preferably arranged so that pressing the link button 28 activates the remote communication port 42 In this way, the health care provider can communicate with the interface 14 through the transmitter and the remote receiver as a telephone 48 or a computer 50. It should be understood that the interface 14 could be provided with a single port to Through which signals enter and exit, instead of having separate local and remote ports. For convenience, this description refers to the health care provider using a telephone or a personal computer to access the medical device 12 remotely, but it should be understood that any transmitter and receiver that has the ability to activate or selection of programming parameters independently in response to various requests and questions. It should also be understood that the term "remote tone transmitter and receiver" is not limited to conventional key telephones that have a 12-key numeric keypad, with keys 0-9, *, and Instead, as defined herein, the term "tone transmitter and receiver" refers to any transmitter and receiver that has the ability to generate signals through a keyboard or other data entry system and is It is not limited to transmitters and receivers that generate DTMF signals, such as conventional telephones. Examples of other types of "transmitters and receivers" as defined herein include computers that have keyboards and / or a device that controls the cursor, conventional key phones, transmitters and receivers that convert the human voice into pulses or digital signals or analog signals and paging transmitters and receivers. With reference to Figure 2, the elements included in the interface 14 will be described in greater detail. As mentioned above, the interface 14 comprises the remote communication port 42, the local communication port 40, a protocol and event memory 52, a voice storage unit 54, a processor 56, a voice synthesizer 58, and an access code memory 60. Alternatively, the protocol and event memory 52, and the processor 56 may be an integrated unit. The protocol memory 52, the voice storage unit 54, and the access code memory 60 may be contained in the same memory device (such as a random access memory), or in separate memory units. Preferably, the speech storage unit 54 comprises an exclusively read memory (ROM). Interface 14 also includes data port 43 for relaying information between interface 14 and medical device 12 (such as via cable 20 or through emitter / detector 44). The speech synthesizer 58 is preferably an integrated circuit that converts the digitized speech signals to a signal that emulates the sound of the human voice. As embodied herein, the speech synthesizer 58 only needs to be used to convert the output signals of the interface 14 to the remote telephone 48 and thus the conversion of signals entering from the remote telephone 48 or from the remote telephone 48 is not required. the remote computer 50 or the signals that are output to a remote computer 50. The speech synthesizer may comprise a commercially available speech synthesizer chip. The remote communication port 42, the local communication port 40 and the data interface port 44 are coupled together to the processor through data bus bars 62a, 64a and 66a, respectively. The communication ports 40, 42 receive signals from the transmitter and receiver 48, 50 and relieve the signals on the bus bars 62a, 64a, respectively to the processor 56 which in turn processes those signals, performing several operations in response to those signals. If the health care provider chooses the remote communication mode from the telephone 48, the processor 56 receives the digitized voice signals from the voice storage unit 54 through the bus bar 70a and sends those digitalized speech signals to the speech synthesizer 58 through the busbar 70b, where the signals are converted into human voice emulator signals. These human voice signals are sent from the speech synthesizer 58 through the bus bars 62b, 64b, 66b to the bus bars 62a, 64a, 66b, which instead relay those signals to the remote communication port 42, to the local port communication 40, and data interface port 44, respectively. For example, in case it is necessary to provide instructions to the health care provider operating the remote telephone 48. The processor 56 sends a directed voice signal on the data bus 70a by coupling the processor 56 to the storage unit 54. The voice directed signal corresponds to a location in the voice storage unit 54 that contains a particular voice signal that will be sent to the remote transmitter and receiver 48. Upon receiving the voice directed signal, the voice signal in particular it is accessed from the voice storage unit 54 and sent, via a data bus 70a, to the processor 56. The processor 56 then relieves the voice signal through the data bus 70b to the synthesizer voice 58, which converts the speech signal and sends the converted signal through the data bus bars 62b and 62a to the remote communication port 42, which sends the converted signal to the transmitter and remote receiver 48. The speech signal retrieved from the speech storage unit 54 may be a digitized representation of a person's voice or a computer-generated voice signal (both are well known in the art). The digitized speech signal is converted through the voice synthesizer 58 to a signal that emulates the sound of the human voice. The voice signal instructs the health care provider on how to respond to the voice signal and what kind of information the provider should send to health care. Since the transmitter and receiver can be a keypad that has a numeric keypad with multiple keys, the healthcare provider then presses the key or the correct keys, thereby sending a DTMF signal back to the remote port of the telephone. communication 42 of the interface 14. It should be understood, however, that the remote transmitter and receiver does not need to be a keypad, but instead can be any transmitter and receiver with the ability to send and receive DTMF or other signals similar signs For example, the remote transmitter and receiver may be a computer or a portable remote controller. If the DTMF signal sent by the provider to health care is a remote programming signal that is transmitted from the remote telephone 48 to the remote communication port 42 of the interface 14, the remote communication port 42 then relieves the programming signal remote through the data bus 62a to the processor 56. In response to the reception of the remote programming signal, the processor 56 accesses a particular parameter of the programming protocol from the protocol memory 52. To access the parameter, the processor 56 transmits a protocol directed signal on the data bus 68 which couples the processor 56 and the protocol memory 52. The protocol directed signal corresponds to the location in the protocol memory 52 that contains the parameter. So, the parameter is sent from the protocol memory 52 to the processor 56 through the data bus 68. Depending on the nature of the remote programming signal, the processor 56 may perform one of several operations on the parameter, including edit, delete, or send the parameter back to the remote transmitter and receiver 48, 50 for review. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many types of signals or commands can be sent from the remote transmitter and receiver 48, 050, to the interface 14 for processing. Examples of those signals, the manner in which they are processed and their effect will be described in detail below in conjunction with the description of the operation of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, the medical device system 10 can incorporate several security measures to protect against unwanted access to the interface 14 and the associated medical device 12. Significantly, the user's access code can be used to block the access except to people with the user's access code, which can be a number of multiple digits (preferably a four-digit number). The system for the medical device 10 may be equipped with one or multiple user access codes, which are stored in the memory of the access code. To initiate communication with the medical device system 10, a health care provider is connected to the system for the medical device 10 through a tone transmitter and receiver 48. 50. This connection can be initiated through a call from the healthcare provider to a medical device 10 system (or a patient speaking by telephone located near the system for the medical device 10) or through a patient call to the healthcare provider. Either way, the healthcare provider is connected to the medical device system 10. After the connection is made between the healthcare provider and the system for the medical device 10, the interface 14 is It preferably has to require the health care provider to enter a user access code. If the health care provider enters a valid user access code (as explained above, there may be several valid codes), the provider is allowed to care that enters and / or schedules the programmable protocol. During the programming session, under certain circumstances (which will be described below), user access codes can be reviewed, edited, and / or deleted entirely or re-entered. To perform any of these functions, a programming signal is sent by the provider to health care from a remote transmitter and receiver 49, 50 to the interface 14. That programming signal is relayed through the remote communication port 42 to the processor 56, which processes the signal and generates a directed access code signal. The addressed access code signal, which corresponds to a memory location in the access code memory 60 that retains a user access code, is sent over the data bus 72 to the access code memory 60 The access code of the particular user is then retrieved and sent back from the data bus 72 to the processor 56, which processes the user's access code in some way. To communicate with the system for the medical device 10, the interface is equipped with the data interface port 43. The protocol of the medical device can be sent from the interface 14 to the medical device 12 through the data interface port 43 and the data port of the medical device 46. In this way, for example, the processor 56 accesses the protocol from the memory of the protocol 52 and sends the protocol through the data bus 66a to the data interface port 43. The data interface port 43 then sends the information to the data port of the medical device (such as via cable 20 or the transmitter / transmitter and wireless receiver 46), where it is processed by circuits and / or software in the medical device 12. In this way, the protocol of the medical device can be programmed (for example, edited, re-done, blocked, re-entered, etc.). The send button 32 is designed to allow the sending of data from the medical device or the protocol to a remote location, such as a computer 74 or a fax machine 76. In this way, a remote record is maintained, as in a computer. If the computer 74 is remote from the system for the medical device 10, a person located at the interface 14 can press the send button 32, which in turn telepaths the existing protocol or data to the remote communication port 42. Then the The protocol is transmitted through the remote communication port 42 to the remote computer 74. The linking button 28 is preferably used to start or enter the remote programming mode of the system for the medical device 10. When a programming session is initiated, the health care provider calls the telephone number corresponding to the system for medical device 10 (or the telephone of the patient's house). Patient 18 can answer the call on his phone, and the health care provider and the patient can communicate through the standard voice signals. This is known herein as a telephone mode or a mode of conversation with the patient. Then the health care provider instructs the patient to press the link button 28, which disconnects the patient 18 from the telephone line and initiates the programming mode described below with reference to Figure 3-8. However, in case patient 18 does not answer the provider's call to health care, interface 14 may be equipped with an internal switching system that connects directly to the healthcare provider with interface 14 and initiates the programming mode. The internal switch can be implemented with a hardware in the interface 14 or with a software that controls the processor 56, or with a combination of hardware-software. Either way, the healthcare provider can begin the processing of the information and the protocol stored in the interface 14. (As described above, the call can be initiated by the patient 18 to the healthcare provider). The functions of the screen lights 24 will now be described. Preferably, the screen lights 24 are comprised of LEDs (light emitting diodes). The standby light 34 indicates when the interface 14 is involved in a programming session or when the protocol is downloaded to a remote location, such as a remote computer 74. Correspondingly, the waiting light 34 indicates to the patient 18 not to interfere with the interface 14 until the standby light 34 deactivates, indicating that the internal processing elements of the interface 14 are inactive The light of the telephone 36 indicates when the health care provider and the patient 18 are involved in communication through of the remote transmitter and receiver 48 or 50 and in this way when the internal processing elements of the interface 14 are inactive. The light of the telephone 36 can also indicate when the system for the medical device 10 is ready. The alarm light indicates various alarm conditions and system functions for the medical device 10. The medical device 12 sends an alarm signal through the pu data from the medical device to the data interface port 43. The signal is relieved through the data bus 66a to the processor 56. Then, the processor 56 glows a directed voice signal on the data bus 70a coupling the processor 56 to the voice storage unit 54. The voice directed signal corresponds to a location in the voice storage unit 54 that contains a voice signal belonging to the alarm condition that will be sent to a remote location (like 48, 50, 74 or 76). Upon receipt of the directed alarm signal, the alarm signal is accessed from the voice storage unit 54 and gummed through the data bus 70a to the processor. Then, the processor 56 relieves the voice signal through the data bus 70b to the speech synthesizer 58 which converts the voice signal and sends the converted signal through the data bus bars 62a, 62b to the remote port 42 that sends the converted signal to the remote transmitter and receiver. Remote Access of a Medical Device with the System of the Present Invention With reference to Figure 3, the programming mode or sequence of the present invention will be described in detail. A health care provider can access and process the interface protocol from a remote telephone 48, a remote computer 50 or any other transmitter or receiver, as described above. First the programming mode will be described through the remote telephone. The health care provider dials the phone number corresponding to the medical device (Step 1). A synthesized voice message will ask if you want to talk to the patient first before the remote programming session (Step 2). If the health care provider chooses "yes," then the health care provider and the patient will communicate through standard voice signals (Step 3). More specifically, the patient will take a local telephone 48A which is in communication with the local port 40 and will talk to the health care provider on the remote telephone 48 in communication with the remote port 42. (See Figure 1 .) After the conversation ends, the health care provider will ask the patient to click on the link button in the interface (Step 4), which connects the provider to health care with the interface (Step 5), end the phone mode, and start a remote tone programming session. If the health care provider chooses not to talk to the patient before the remote programming session (Step 6), the health care provider can choose "no" (Step 6) and connect directly to the interface 14, thus starting directly a remote tone programming session by going to the access code menu (Figure 5) without entering a conversation mode. Alternatively, the health care provider can access and process the interface protocol from a remote computer 50. The health care provider can directly initiate the programming mode by having the modem of the remote computer 50 dial the number of the system for the medical device 10. In the event that the device 10 is only monitoring the vital signs of the patients, the health care provider can retrieve the vital signs as well understood by a person skilled in the technology. . Initially, a message will appear on the health care provider's computer screen asking the health care provider if they want to see a menu with additional options before going to the main menu. As shown in Figure 4, these options include, but are not limited to: sending the status of the patient's condition to the provider's computer to health care (Step 8); upload a new protocol from a file on the provider's computer to health care (Step 9); activate the real-time monitor mode so that the healthcare provider can see the patient's current condition while changing (Step 10); receive the PM history of the device (Step 11); and activate the diagnostics mode (Step 12). If the health care provider chooses not to go to the special options menu (Step 7), you can go directly to a remote programming session by going to the access code menu (Figure 5). Access Code If the user enters a correct access code (Step 13), the user will preferably be allowed to perform certain functions related to the access code. For example, and with reference to Figure 5, if the healthcare provider has entered the master access code, the interface 14 generates a number of questions with voice (for a link by telephone, a signal representing alphanumeric text). The same message can be transmitted when a computer is used (50), which is transmitted to the healthcare provider and provides it with a number of options. First, in Step 14, the health care provider is consulted if a new master access code is to be entered and instructed to press a certain button on the number keypad (in this case the number is " 1") to select this option. If the health care provider selects this option, interface 14 instructs the health care provider to enter the existing master access code (Step 15) and enter a new master access code (Step 16). The newly entered master access code is read back to the healthcare provider by the interface 14 (Step 17), and interface 14 generates a voice command that instructs the healthcare provider to press the "#" key on the numeric keypad to accept this new master access code. If the health care provider presses the "#" key, the 14th interface returns (Step 18) to the health care provider to the access code menu. Technology-enabled people will recognize that the keys that are pressed by the healthcare provider are only examples and that other keys can be designated to accept and / or select various options and programming entries. Second, in Step 19, the health care provider will be asked if a new user access code will be entered or not and instructed to press a certain button on the keypad number of tones (in this case it is the number "2") to select this option. If the health care provider selects this option, interface 14 will indicate to the healthcare provider that a new user access code is entered (Step 20). If the new user access code already exists, the program will loop around and ask the healthcare provider to enter the new master access code again (not shown). If the access code of the newly entered user does not yet exist, the new user access code is read back to the health care provider via the interface 14 (Step 21) and the interface will generate a voice command that tells the healthcare provider to press the "#" key on the numeric keypad to accept this new user access code. If the health care provider presses the "#" key, interface 14 will return (Step 22) the health care provider to the access code menu.

Third, in Step 23, the health care provider is asked if you want to check the user's access codes and you are instructed to press a certain button on the number keypad (in this case it is the number "3") to select this option. If the health care provider selects this option, interface 14 tells the healthcare provider in Step 24 that there is a certain number of user access codes (depending on the amount that exists). In Step 25, the interface 14 cites the user's access codes to the healthcare provider and continues to quote the user's access codes until he has quoted all of them. After finishing quoting the user access codes, the interface 14 returns (Step 26) the health care provider to the access code menu. Fourth, in Step 27, the health care provider is asked if you want to delete the access codes and you are instructed to press a certain button on the number keypad (in this case it is the number "4") to select this option. If the health care provider selects this option, the interface 14 will ask the health care provider to select one of the two options: (1) to delete the specific user codes, press a certain button on the keyboard number of tones (in this case it is the number • "1") (see Step 28); or (2) to delete all user access codes, press a different button (in this case the number "2") (see Step 33). If the provider to health care If you select Step 28, the health care provider will be asked to enter the health code. • specific user access that will be eliminated (Step 29), and interface 14 reads the specific user access code in Step 30. The interface 14 then asks the healthcare provider to press the "#" button on the keypad to accept the removal of the user's access code and return it to the access code menu. If the provider to health care selects Step 33 (global elimination), interface 14 warns the healthcare provider that it is about to erase all user access codes and asks the healthcare provider to press the "# "to accept (Step 34). The interface then returns (Step 35) to the access code menu. Fifth, in Step 36, the health care provider is asked to press a certain number (in this case "5") to exit the access code menu. If the health care provider chooses this option, interface 14 will return (through Step 37) to the access code screen. The interface 14 can also be programmed to prevent access without entering an access or security code (not shown). Main Menu If the healthcare provider has entered a correct access code and has gone through the above functions related to the access code or has terminated them, the processor 56 accesses from the voice storage unit 54 (or through of a signal representing alphanumeric characters transmitted to the computer) a number of voice queries comprising the main menu. With reference to Figure 3, a number of options are presented to the health care provider through the main menu. The particular points presented may vary depending on the particular medical device with which the system is being used, the number of the medical device used with the system (as will be described below), or the number of patients who are connected to the system (as will be described below). The main menu of Figure 3 illustrates a menu that is generally useful with a wide range of medical devices and that presents a number of advantageous methods of the system of the present invention. It should be understood that other features of the menu may be provided. As illustrated, the health care provider is asked to select among the various options by pressing a key on the tone keypad (or on a computer keyboard). Certain options can be applied for each of the medical devices such as talking to the patient (Step 38) and the mode for reviewing the alarm (Step 39). If the health care provider selects direct conversation with the patient, the connection is switched to a telephone mode (Step 40). In phone mode, the healthcare provider can talk to the patient to check the programming changes (Step 41). The healthcare provider can then hang the remote telephone 48 after the conversation with the patient is completed (Step 42). If the health care provider selects the alarm review mode in Step 39, the interface generates voice questions that are transmitted to the health care provider. As illustrated in Figure 6, the health care provider has the option of reviewing the fax or telephone number (s) that will be automatically dialed in the event of an alarm condition. For example, the synthesized voice will say, "alarm notification one is 123456790; Alarm notification number two is 2345678. "(Step 43) In Step 44, the health care provider has the option to delete an existing number by entering the number that will be deleted through the transmitter or receiver (Step 45). The health care provider may choose to delete additional numbers (Step 46), or go to the option to add alarm notification (Step 47) If the health care provider selects the option to add the numbers Alarm notification in Step 48, the health care provider can add an additional number by entering the number to be added through the transmitter and receiver In Step 49, the provider is asked to take care of the health that adds another number or that goes to the main menu, options such as faxing a report or sending a file are also applicable for each of the medical devices, but the type of report will vary depending on the Medical Device, Other options may apply to some medical devices, such as editing or creating a protocol, but no other. Therefore, these non-universal options will be discussed below (see step or circle "D") as it relates to specific medical devices. System Adaptation of the Present Invention Multiple Medical Devices and / or Multiple Patients In a variation of the present invention, the system can be arranged to allow access to have control over multiple medical devices. In these arrangements, multiple medical devices are preferably arranged to communicate with a simple interface. In a method to access and control these multiple devices, after entering the access code, the health care provider will be asked to enter the device number of the particular device that the health care provider wishes to enter. Another embodiment works in the same manner as the embodiment described above. However, this embodiment can be used for multiple patients and comprises of multiple medical devices that can be connected to multiple patients, an interface unit coupled with the medical devices of each of the patients and a central data storage unit, The central data storage unit performs the same function as the interface unit, but acts as a central storage location for the protocols of multiple patients. This embodiment allows the health care provider the option of calling a number from a remote transmitter and receiver, the number of the central data storage unit, to program the protocols of multiple patients instead of calling the number of each of the patients; however, the health care provider still has the option of calling the particular patient interface unit if the health care provider wishes to schedule the single-patient protocol. The remote central data storage unit comprises two remote communication ports, a protocol and event memory, a voice storage unit, a processor, a speech synthesizer, and an access code memory. The protocol memory, the voice storage unit, the speech synthesizer and the access code memory are at the same time as those of the interface units. Each of the two remote communication ports is coupled to the processor through the data bus. The first remote communication port receives the signals from the remote transmitter and receiver and relays those signals on the busbars to the processor that performs several operations in response to those signals. Then, the signals are sent through the data bus to the second remote communication port which then relieves the signals to the specified interface unit through the remote communication port of the interface unit. Then, the 5 signals are processed in the same manner as the processor of the interface unit without a central data storage unit that processes the signals it receives from the remote tone transmitter and receiver. 10 It should be understood that the above programming and the functions described above • provide only examples of the way in which the health care provider, the interface unit, and the data storage unit can interact through a remote tone transmitter and receiver. Therefore, additional or alternative steps and procedures can be designed and implemented for remote programming • of the present invention. Correspondingly, Only some of the steps described above need to be included in the invention; the steps can be conducted in a different order; more or less protocol parameters can be controlled by the provider to health care; and you can choose different operating modes. In addition, the present invention can be used with a variety of medical devices. As will be discussed below, the present invention is used for reviewing and programming the protocol of a mechanical ventilator and a vital signs monitor. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the apparatus and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. This is how it is intended that the present invention cover any of the modifications and variations of this invention. Adaptation of the System of the Present Invention For use with a Mechanical Fan With reference to Figure 7A1, step "D", the examples of the specific options of the main menu for a mechanical fan will be described. If the health care provider has selected the revision of the current protocol in Step 50, the interface 14 provides the health care provider with a variety of information (Figure 7A2). The health care provider is instructed in the volume of the regimen (Step 51); the breathing speed (Step 52); the high pressure settings (Step 53); the mode (Step 54); the peak flow (Step 55); the low pressure setting (Step 56); the PEEP level (Step 57); the elapsed time (Step 58); and the last alarm (Step 59). After providing this information to the healthcare provider, the interface 14 in Step 60 returns to the main menu as in Figure 3. With reference to Figure 7A2, the editing mode will be described in detail. If the health care provider has selected the edit mode in Step 61, interface 14 allows the health care provider to edit the current protocol. In this mode, some parameters can be maintained while others can be edited. The health care provider is asked to enter the mechanical ventilator serial number (Step 62), the provider's health care identification number (Step 63), and the patient identification number (Step 64). . These numbers are for the purpose of keeping a record, and are included in any report or file requested by the health care provider. In Step 65, the current regime volume is indicated to the health care provider. The health care provider is asked to enter a new rate, or press the # button on the keypad to accept the new rate (Step 66). Similar operations are performed on the respiration rate, the high pressure setting, the current peak flow, the low pressure setting and the PEEP level (Steps 67 - 78). After editing, the interface 14 is transferred to the submenus of Figure 7D (Circle G). Now, with reference to Figure 7D, the sub-menus of the editing mode provide the health care provider with several options after editing the protocol. The first submenu of the editing mode allows the health care provider to send (ie save) the issues to the ventilator by pressing a certain key on the numeric keypad (Step 79), to review the edits by pressing a different key on the numeric keypad (Step 80), and to cancel the edits by pressing a different number on the numeric keypad (Step 81). If the health care provider chooses to send the edits (Step 79), the new protocol is sent to the ventilator (Step 82) and the provider is fired for health care. The health care provider is then transferred to the conversation mode with the patient (Step 83), and the health care provider is put in connection with the patient to verify the schedule (Step 84). After checking the programming changes with the patient, the healthcare provider hangs up the remote telephone 48 (Step 85) and the programming session is finished. If the health care provider selects the revision of the editions (Step 80), the interface 14 reports the new parameters of the protocol to the healthcare provider (Step 6). After making the report, the health care provider was taken to the submenu of the second mode of editing that allows the health care provider to select: (1) send the issue (Step 87), (2) edit the edits (Step 88), or (3) cancel the edits (Step 89). If the health care provider selects to send the modified protocol (Step 87), the new protocol is sent to the ventilator (Step 90), and the health care provider is fired. The health care provider is then transferred to the conversation mode with the patient (Step 91), and the health care provider is put in connection with the patient to verify the schedule (Step 92). After checking the programming changes with the patient, the health care provider hangs up the remote telephone (Step 93) and concludes the programming session. If the health care provider selects the creation mode in Step 94 (see Figure 7A1), the health care provider is asked to program parameters for the new protocol. As illustrated in Figure 7A2, the health care provider is asked to enter the regime volume (Step 95) after which the volume of the regimen entered is read again, and the provider is asked to care for the condition. Health that press the # button to accept this rate. The healthcare provider follows the same procedure to enter the breathing rate, the high pressure setting, the mode, the peak flow, the low pressure setting, and the PEEP level (Steps 96-101), and then the same control menu illustrated in Figure 7D.

If the health care provider selects the fax reporting mode in Step 102, the interface 14 generates a number of questions that are transmitted to the health care provider and provides a number of options. Referring now to Figure 7B, Step 103, the health care provider has the option of selecting a flow report, a pressure report (Step 104), or a complete report (Step 105). If the health care provider enters a non-option number (Step 106) the interface unit returns to Circle E. Next, the health care provider is requested in Step 107 to enter the fax number in the location where the report will be sent. In Step 108, the healthcare provider can select a text report by pressing a certain button on the numeric keypad or in a chart report by pressing a different button (Step 109). If the health care provider selects the text report, in Step 108, the health care provider can then choose to have the text report sent to the fax number on a daily basis by pressing a button on the numeric keypad (Step 110). If the health care provider selects to request that the remote system of the medical device send a daily report to the fax number, then the health care provider enters the time through the numeric keypad that the report should be sent to the number (for example, 1430 for 2:30 PM) (Step 111). If the health care provider selects a chart report (Step 109), the interface will ask the health care provider to select a sample time interval (in seconds) of 1 - 300 seconds (Step 112). If the health care provider selects to request that the remote system of the medical device send a daily graphic report to the fax number (Step 113), then the health care provider will enter the time through the tonepad that the report should be sent to the number (for example 1430 to 2:30 PM) (Step 114). If the health care provider chooses not to have a daily report, then it will be returned to the main menu (Step 115) where the report of the graphics will be sent to the fax number after concluding the session.

If the health care provider selects the file delivery mode in Step 116, the health care provider will be transferred to the file submission menu (Circle F) in Figure 7C. Steps 117-124 are similar to the previous steps for faxing a report except that the computer's phone number is entered (Step 121) instead of the fax number so that the report file is sent to a computer in place of a fax. The healthcare provider also has the option of having the remote system of the medical device send the file to the remote computer on a daily basis (Steps 122 123). Adaptation of the Present Invention System for Use with a Vital Signs Monitor With reference to Figure 8A, Circle D, the specific examples of the main menu options will be described when the medical device comprises a vital signs monitor. This monitor usually obtains patient data such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, saturation of 02, CO 2 level, weight and / or breathing speed. If the health care provider has selected the revision of the current protocol in Step 125, interface 14 provides the health care provider with a variety of information. Health care provider is instructed in blood pressure (Step 126); the temperature (Step 127); the pulse (Step 128), - the saturation of 02 (Step 129); the level of carbon dioxide (Step 130); the weight (Step 131), - and the speed of breathing (Step 132). After providing this information to the health care provider, interface 14 in Step 133 returns to the main menu. If the health care provider selects the fax reporting mode in Step 134, the health care provider is transferred to the fax reporting menu as illustrated in Figure 8B. At the time of accessing this menu, the interface 14 generates a number of questions by voice that are transmitted to the health care provider with a number of options. The health care provider has the option to select one: (1) blood pressure report, (2) temperature report, (3) pulse report, (4) 02 saturation report, (5) carbon dioxide report, (6) weight report; (7) breath report or (8) full report, by pressing 1- 8 respectively on the keypad of tones (Steps 135 - 142). Next, the health care provider is requested in Step 143 to enter the fax number of the location where the report will be sent. In Step 144, the health care provider can select a text report by pressing a certain button on the tone keyboard or a chart report by pressing a different button (Step 145). If the health care provider selects a text report, interface 14 asks the health care provider to enter a certain number on the keypad to hang up and end the session (Step 146) where the text report is will send to the fax number or enter a different number if the health care provider wants to return to the main menu (Step 147) where the text report will be sent to the fax number after the session ends. If the health care provider selects a chart report (Step 145), the interface 14 will ask the healthcare provider to select a sample time interval (in seconds) of 1 - 300 seconds (Step 148) . If an invalid number is selected (Step 149), interface 14 returns to Step 148. Then, the health care provider enters a number on the number keypad to hang up and end the session where the chart report will be sent to the fax number (Step 150) or enter a different number (in this case the number "2") in case the health care provider wants to return to the main menu where the graphics report will be sent to the fax number after concluding with the session (Step 147). Alternatively, the device 10 can store a fax number and the device can be programmed to send faxes including the desired information at specific times. If the health care provider selects the file submission mode in Step 151, the health care provider will be transferred to the file submission menu (Circle F) illustrated in Figure 8C. Steps 152-163 are similar to Steps 135-147 above except that the health care provider can enter a sample of the time interval (Step 160) and the computer's telephone number is entered instead of the number of the time. fax (Step 161) so that the report file is sent to the computer instead of a fax. In addition, the device 10 can be programmed to send emails through a communication network such as the Internet. In this feature of the invention, the device will be programmed to register in the communication network, enter a password stored in the memory and send a report by e-mail. In another aspect of the present invention, the device can be programmed to ask the patient questions about how he feels, when pain is experiencing, "etc. The answers to these questions can be accessed by a health care provider to assist in the programming of the device protocol as it will be understood by the people enabled in the technology For example, if a patient indicates that he or she is feeling well, it is likely that the health care provider will not have to edit the protocol. feature of the invention allows the healthcare provider to have access to more information and will give a better treatment to the patient A patient can enter their data through the device 10 by itself, through the local telephone 48A or other way as through a computer, etc. The patient can enter this data when their condition changes or is requested, that is, through a telephone call or an alarm in the device 10, to enter the information at fixed intervals. In accordance with the present invention, a medical system allowing remote access and control of a medical device has been provided. The system is arranged to allow a caregiver to control the medical device from a remote telephone, computer or other transmitter and receiver. The caregiver may obtain data from the medical device, such as in the form of a written report (such as by facsimile), through voice data, or through graphic or alphanumeric data provided to a computer (which may be presented as graphs). and other data on a screen and / or stored in the memory of a computer). The caregiver can also program the medical device if the device stores a programmable protocol. Additionally, the system is arranged in such a way that the alarm signal through the medical device also triggers remotely. Specific examples of the adaptation of the system of the invention to specific medical devices have been described above. Those skilled in technology will appreciate the adaptation of the system to a wide variety of other medical devices. Of course, the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (2)

1. CLAIMS 1. A system for a medical device that is remotely accessible that has a programmable protocol and storage of patient data, the medical device system is programmable through a transmitter and receiver and has the ability to send data from a patient to a remote location, wherein the medical device system comprises: an electronically controllable medical device connected to a patient having a protocol or patient data associated therewith; a memory for storing a programmable protocol or patient data; a data storage unit for storing a data signal; a communication port for connection to a remote transmitter and receiver to send a data signal to a remote location and to receive a signal from the remote transmitter and receiver; a processor arranged to manipulate the programmable protocol in memory in response to receiving a remote programming signal or to send the data signal including patient data from the data storage unit in response to a data access signal remote.
2. 2. A method for accessing a medical device from a transmitter and receiver remotely placed from the medical device, including a control associated with the medical device, in which the control has a programmable protocol or patient data associated therewith, comprising the steps of: establishing a connection between the medical device and the remote transmitter and receiver; send a signal from the remote transmitter and receiver to said control process the signal and manipulate the programmable protocol if the signal is a programming signal from the remote transmitter and receiver and send the patient data to the transmitter and receiver or to a secondary location in case that the signal is a data transfer signal.