WO2008026980A1

WO2008026980A1 - Device and system for managing medical data

Info

Publication number: WO2008026980A1
Application number: PCT/SE2007/000751
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders Sonesson
Original assignee: Aidera Ab
Priority date: 2006-08-29
Filing date: 2007-08-29
Publication date: 2008-03-06

Abstract

A device (2) for managing medical data is disclosed. The device comprises means for detecting presence of a medical unit (3, 4, 5) having medical data to be received by the device, a first communication means for receiving the medical data from the medical unit and for receiving the medical data when having detected the presence of the medical unit, and a second communication means for sending the medical data to a computer (6). Also a system is disclosed comprising the device and at least one medical unit.

Description

DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MEDICAL DATA

TECHNICAL FIELD

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a device for managing medical data. According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system comprising the device and at least one medical unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technology of medical instrumentation both for diagnostics and treatment are developed increasingly for home use in order to reduce the pressure on the medical services and to ease the lives of patients giving them the opportunity to be in a home environment or at work. However, being away from a medical facility may create a risk and uncertainty for patients and medical staff because of the distance. Medical data and the patients are not as easily monitored by medical staff and the patients might feel insecure because of this which in turn may have a negative impact on the treatment of the patient.

In order to meet this trend several different solutions have been developed for connecting the patient to a medical facility or making data from instrumentation located with the patient available for medical staff. One such solution is presented in "Personal Mobile Hub", IEEE proceedings of the Eight International Symposium on Wearable Computers, November 2004, pp 85-91. In this document is shown a solution of a communication hub in communication with one or several external devices and the hub provide a wireless link between the external devices and a remotely located server.

The system presented in this publication acts as a router which simply forwards medical events to a server: it waits for an event to occur from a medical device and then transfers this event onwards to the server. Furthermore, it is a custom made solution relying on building blocks for setting up a custom tailored application and solution. It does not address the problems associated with providing a safe and reliable connection and to ensure the integrity of transferred data. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution that remedies at least some of these problems.

This is provided for in a number of aspects of the present invention.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a device for managing medical data is disclosed. It comprises means for detecting presence of a medical unit having medical data to be received by the device, it is also arranged to send a polling message to trigger the medical unit to send a type and/or individual reference, a first communication means for receiving the reference and medical data from the medical unit when having detected the presence of the medical unit, and a second communication means for sending the medical data to a computer.

In an embodiment, the computer is remote. Once the device detects presence of a medical unit, the device or the medical unit automatically sets up a communication link and the device receives medical data from the medical unit. Thus, the patient does not have to initiate the communication between the medical unit and the device. Non-limiting examples of locations where the device may be located include a patient's home, a hospital or another location of a health care provider. Also, the device may be battery driven and carried by health care staff, such as nurses or doctors.

In an embodiment, the device comprises a memory for the medical data.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises medical unit type data comprising information concerning communication protocols from a plurality of medical unit types. This offers the advantage that the device is able to communicatively interact with different medical unit types, potentially from a plurality of suppliers.

In an embodiment, the first communication means is constituted by one of a cable plug, an infrared (IR) receiver, Bluetooth, and Zigbee.

In an embodiment, the second communication means is constituted by one of a cable plug (e.g. for receiving a serial cable or a USB cable), telephone line plug, wireless communication means, a GPRS module, GSM module, a mobile network plug, and a cellular phone.

In an embodiment, the device further comprises a processor for triggering the processor triggers the second communication means to send medical data to the computer. In an embodiment, the processor is set to trigger communication using the second communication means immediately after having received medical data.

In an embodiment, the processor is set to trigger communication at a predetermined time and at that time trigger communication so that medical data that have been collected over a time period is communicated to the computer. In an embodiment, the processor is set to trigger communication when the size of the medical data exceeds, or is the same as, a predetermined data level.

In an embodiment, the medical data received by the first communication means from the medical unit is sent by the second communication means to the computer. In an embodiment, the device is configured to receive computer program updates for execution by the processor.

In an embodiment, the device is configured to receive updates for medical unit type data comprising information concerning communication protocols from a plurality of medical unit types.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a system comprising the device and at least one medical unit is disclosed. The at least one medical unit presents a communication means for communicating with the device.

In an embodiment, the medical unit is one of a glucose meter, insulin pen, an insulin pump, a PEF meter, a coagulation meter, and a sensor for sensing heart related data, such as electro cardiogram data (ECG data) and heart fillibration data.

In an embodiment, the at least one medical unit presents at least one of an individual reference, e.g. an identity reference for the specific medical unit, and a type reference, e.g. a type identity specific medial unit type. The medical unit communicates the individual reference or the type reference for identification purposes to the device. In an embodiment, the device communicates the thus received individual reference or the type reference to the computer.

In an embodiment, the system further comprises the computer.

In an embodiment, the computer presents means for making medical data available over a computer network, such as the internet.

In a further embodiment, the computer is arranged to send an acknowledgement signal to the device for managing medical data in order to confirm the receipt of medical data.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed, comprising the steps of detecting in a device for managing medical data the presence of a medical unit using a first communication interface in the device;

- checking from the device if the medical unit has medical data to send;

- polling from the device at least one of type and identity reference of the medical unit; receiving in the device type and/or identity information of the medical unit; - receiving in the device medical data from the medical unit;

- transmitting from the device the medical data to a remotely located computer together with at least one of type and identity reference using a second communication interface different from the first communication interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in a non-limiting way and in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a system including a device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates schematically in block diagram a method according to the present invention; and Fig. 3 illustrates schematically in a block diagram an embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Fig. 1 reference numeral 2 generally indicate a system according to the present invention. The system comprise a device 2 for managing medical data and events and a computer (or server) 6. The device 2 is arranged to communicate with at least one medical unit 3, 4, and 5 and the computer is arranged to store, analyze medical data, handle alarm concerning medical events or medical data, and/or present medical data to a patient 7 related to the data and/or a health care provider 8 (e.g. nurse, doctor, or similar person).

The device 2 for managing medical data comprises means 301 for detecting presence of a medical unit 3, 4, 5 having medical data to be received by the device 2, a first communication means 303, 304 (communication interface) for receiving the medical data from the medical unit 3, 4, 5 and for receiving the medical data when having detected the presence of the medical unit, and a second communication means 305 (communication interface) for sending the medical data to a computer 6. In an embodiment, the presence of a medical unit is detected e.g. by using polling technique or any other suitable technique. Thereafter the device checks whether the medical unit has medical data to be sent by the medical unit and to be received by the device. It further comprises medical unit type data comprising information concerning communication protocols from a plurality of medical unit types. In an embodiment, the medical type data comprises what manufacturer/supplier that has supplied the medical unit and/or what communication platform that medical unit has. The communication between the medical unit and the device is based on the communication platform, i.e. the device selects the communication platform so that it is possible to set up a communication between the medical unit and the device. That is the device is flexible in terms of what communication platform to use since the device has a number of platforms to choose from. The first communication means is constituted by one of a cable plug, an infrared (IR) receiver, Bluetooth, and Zigbee.

The device 300 further comprises a processor (or similar computational device) arranged to execute program code. The program code is stored in a volatile and/or non-volatile memory 302 such as but not limited to RAM, EEPROM, Flash, or hard disk. Furthermore, the device 300 may comprise optional user interface units 306, 307 for interacting with the user and optionally receiving control events from the user.

The second communication means 305 is constituted by one of a cable plug, telephone 5 line plug, wireless communication means, a GPRS module, GSM module, a mobile network plug, and a cellular phone.

The processor 301 triggers the second communication means to send medical data to the computer. 10

In the system, comprising the device and at least one medical unit 3, 4, 5 presenting a communication means for communicating with the device, the medical unit is one of a glucose meter, insulin pen, an insulin pump, a PEF meter, a coagulation meter, and a sensor for sensing heart related data. 15

The at least one medical unit presents at least one of an individual reference and a type reference.

Fig. 2 illustrates a method according to the present invention with the following steps of 20 operation:

201. detecting in the device 2 for managing medical data the presence of a medical unit;

202. checking from the device 2 if the medical unit has medical data to send;

203. receiving in the device 2 type and/or identity information of the medical unit;

204. receiving in the device 2 medical data from the medical unit;

25 205. transmitting from the device 2 the medical data to the computer 6.

Optionally the method may further comprise steps of:

in the computer making the data available in a format suitable for a graphical user 30 interface; and/or sending an alarm signal if a predetermined trigger level has been reached for medical data.

In an embodiment, the system also comprises the computer. The computer 6 presents 35 means for making medical data available over a computer network, such as the internet. A care provider may access the medical data over the computer network for a plurality of patients. Also the patient may log in to review his/her medical data over the computer network. The interface between the patient and the care provider(s) and the computer, in which the medical data is stored, may be HTML, or any other suitable protocol. Also, the medical data is shown using the interface. The medical data may be processed and presented in the form of graphs, tables and statistics. The computer is configured for receiving input from at least one of the patient and the health care provider. The input may concern comments on values, dosage, or information concerning events of the patient, such as heavy exercise or sickness.

The computer 6 may also be arranged to transmit an acknowledgement signal back to the device 2 which the device may use to indicate in a user interface (e.g. a LED, not shown) to confirm to the patient that data was successfully sent to the computer. The device 2 may also use the acknowledgement signal (or the absence) of the signal for control purposes to make sure the data has been sent successfully; otherwise the device 2 may be arranged to after a certain time without acknowledgement resend the data.

In the computer 6, a computer program is responsible for providing an alarm function in case values of the medical data, such as dosage, is outside preferred intervals. The alarm function may include sending an SMS (Short Message Service) and/or a mail to at least one of the patient 7 and the health care provider 8. Also in the computer, a computer program that monitors the usage of insulin doses and measuring sticks. The computer program keeps track of the usage and compares with a predetermined numbers of sticks or insulin doses. When a predetermined number is reached, the alarm function is triggered. Also in the computer, a computer program is configured to transfer the medical data, or processed medical data, to a patient journal information system. Such a communication may be activated by either the computer or the patient journal information system.

The computer may be arranged to relate data from several types of measurements to each other, e.g. relating and optionally showing medical data related to an insulin pen or pump with medical data from a glucose meter (both related to the same patient). In this way it is possible to compare measurements of different types and/or different instrumentation. The information is encrypted during communication between the device and the computer.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware, and that at least part of the invention may be implemented in either hardware or software.

The above mentioned and described embodiments are only given as examples and should not be limiting to the present invention. Other solutions, uses, objectives, and functions within the scope of the invention as claimed in the below described patent claims should be apparent for the person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. Device (2, 300) for managing medical data, comprising

- a first communication interface (303, 304);

- a second communication interface (305); - a processor (301 ) for executing program instructions and where the processor is arranged to: i. detect presence of at least one medical unit (3, 4, 5) using the first communication interface (303, 304); ii. send a polling message for triggering the medical unit (3, 4, 5) to send at least one of individual reference, type reference, and medical data; iii. receive at least one of an individual reference and a type reference from the medical unit using the first communication interface; iv. receive medical data from the medical unit using the first communication interface and interpreting data using at least one of the individual and type reference; and v. send the received medical data together with at least one of the individual and type reference to a computer using the second communication interface (305).

2. Device according to claim 1 , further comprising medical unit type data comprising information concerning communication protocols from a plurality of medical unit types.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the first communication interface is constituted by at least one of a cable plug, an infrared (IR) receiver, Bluetooth, and Zigbee.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second communication interface is constituted by one of a cable plug, telephone line plug, wireless communication means, a GPRS module, GSM module, a mobile network plug, and a cellular phone.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein processor is arranged to communicate with a medical unit chosen from at least one of a glucose meter, insulin pen, an insulin pump, a PEF meter, a coagulation meter, and a sensor for sensing heart related data.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is further arranged to encrypt medical data before sending to the computer.

7. A system for medical data management, comprising:

- a computer (6) arranged to receive medical data and present medical data in a format readable by a user interface; - a medical data management device (2) , comprising i. a first communication interface (303, 304); ii. a second communication interface (305); iii. a processor (301 ) for executing program instructions and where the processor is arranged to: o detect presence of at least one medical unit (3, 4, 5) using the first communication interface (303, 304); o send a polling message for triggering the medical unit (3, 4, 5) to send at least one of individual reference, type reference, and medical data; o receive at least one of an individual reference and a type reference from the medical unit using the first communication interface; o receiving medical data from the medical unit using the first communication interface and interpreting data using the individual or type reference; and o sending the received medical data together with at least one of the individual and type reference to the computer (6). wherein the computer is arranged to provide at least one user access to the medical data remotely.

8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a medical unit (3, 4, 5).

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the medical unit is one of a glucose meter, insulin pen, an insulin pump, a PEF meter, a coagulation meter, and a sensor for sensing heart related data.

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein the computer presents means for making medical data available over a computer network.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the medical data is presented in a hypertext markup language.

12. The system according to claim 7, wherein the computer is arranged to relate the medical data to at least one of the individual reference and the type reference.

13. The system according to claim 7, wherein the computer is arranged to send an alarm signal when medical data has been related to a trigger level.

14. The system according to claim 13, where the alarm signal is sent as at least one of a short text message in a wireless communication network and an email message.

15. The system according to claim 7, wherein the computer (6) is arranged to send an acknowledgement signal to the device (2) upon receipt of data from the device (2).

16. A method of managing medical data, comprising the steps of

- detecting in a device (2) for managing medical data the presence of a medical unit (3, 4, 5) using a first communication interface (303, 304) in the device (2);

- checking from the device (2) if the medical unit has medical data to send; - polling from the device (2) at least one of type and identity reference of the medical unit; receiving in the device (2) type and/or identity information of the medical unit; receiving in the device (2) medical data from the medical unit; - transmitting from the device (2) the medical data to a remotely located computer (6) together with at least one of type and identity reference using a second communication interface (305) different from the first communication interface (303, 304).