A supply system and method for supplying fluid to a medical device, including a wireless actuation unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a supply system (1) and a method for supplying a fluid to a medical device. A fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5) of a supply unit (2) provides the fluid. An actuation unit (6a, 6b) detects the actuation of an actuation element (7a, 7b) and generates a message with actuation information identifying the actuation. The message is transmitted from a transmitter (8) of the actuation unit (6a, 6b) to a receiver (9) of the supply unit (2) via a wireless data connection (Dv). In response to receiving the message, the supply unit (2) changes a parameter of the fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5) that affects the fluid supply.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a supply system and method capable of supplying at least one fluid to a medical device, such as a ventilator, an anesthesia device, or a patient monitor. The fluid may be, for example, breathing air, pure oxygen, nitrous oxide (N2O), water, a cleaning fluid, or a disinfectant. Background Art

[0002] Various such supply systems are known.

[0003] DE 10 2017 005 011 B3 describes a monitoring device for monitoring a facility for generating medical compressed air. Compressed air is drawn in via a measuring line 3. A sensor 2 measures the properties of the drawn-in compressed air. A humidifier 8 humidifies the compressed air.

[0004] DE 10 2014 018 727 A1 describes a supply system in which a source 1 supplies at least one fluid or electrical energy to at least two consumers 2 via a supply network 3. A plug connector 5 can be established by means of a plug 7 and a coupler 6, through which the fluid flows to the consumers 2. A mechanical coding 8 ensures that the correct plug 7 and coupler 6 are connected to each other.

[0005] It is desirable for a user to be able to vary the delivery of fluid to a medical device.

[0006] Various actuation units for medical devices are already known.

[0007] DE 10 2017 220 532 A1 describes an image recording device 2 designed as an X-ray device, which has a plurality of movable components 3 and a control device 4. A smart device 5 designed as a smartphone can detect inputs from a user. A radio interface of a control device 6 of smartphone 5 can wirelessly transmit messages to control device 4 via a wireless communication connection 7. Using smartphone 5, the user selects a component 3 of X-ray device 2 and causes an adjustment mechanism to move the selected component 3.

[0008] DE 20 2009 012 808 U1 describes a pulse sensor 10 that measures a patient's pulse and comprises a body 11, a battery pack 15, and a charging connection 16. Pulse sensor 10 is in the form of a ring 10a that can be inserted into a patient's finger, for example, or in the form of a sensor 10b that can be adhesively attached to the patient's chest. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a supply system and a method for supplying at least one fluid to a medical device, wherein the supply of the fluid can be varied more easily than in known supply systems.

[0010] This object is achieved by a supply system having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the supply system according to the invention are also advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0011] The supply system and method according to the present invention are designed to supply at least one fluid to a medical device. The medical device may be, for example, a ventilator, an anesthesia device, a patient monitor, or a breathing mask. The supplied fluid or fluids may be gaseous or liquid. The gaseous fluid may be under negative pressure or under positive pressure relative to the ambient pressure. The gaseous fluid or fluids may be, for example, breathing air, oxygen, nitrous oxide (N2O), or an anesthetic agent. The liquid may be or include water or another cleaning liquid.

[0012] The supply system comprises a supply unit and an actuating unit.

[0013] The supply unit comprises at least one fluid supply connection end, preferably a plurality of fluid supply connection ends, wherein the or each fluid supply connection end is designed to supply fluid to the medical device.

[0014] The actuation unit comprises at least one actuation element and a transmitter. The actuation element or each actuation element of the actuation unit can be actuated by a person. Optionally, the supply system comprises a plurality of actuation units, each of which has at least one actuation element and a transmitter.

[0015] The supply unit includes a receiver. A wireless data connection can be established, at least temporarily, between the respective transmitters of the actuation units and the receiver of the supply unit, in particular by means of electronic waves. If a data connection is established between the transmitter of the actuation unit or of one actuation unit and the receiver of the supply unit, the transmitter can wirelessly transmit a message to the receiver.

[0016] The or each actuation unit is capable of detecting an actuation of the actuation element or elements of the actuation unit. Furthermore, the actuation unit is capable of generating a message, wherein the message includes actuation information and wherein the actuation information identifies the detected actuation of the actuation element. When a data connection to the receiver of the supply unit is then established, the transmitter of the actuation unit is capable of transmitting the message with the generated actuation information to the receiver of the supply unit via the data connection. Thus, an identifier of the detected actuation is wirelessly transmitted to the supply unit.

[0017] The supply unit is capable of changing a parameter of the fluid supply connection or at least one, preferably each, fluid supply connection, i.e., changing the value of the parameter. Hereinafter, changing the parameter of the fluid supply connection or connections is referred to as "activation of the fluid supply connection." This parameter change, i.e., activation, is performed automatically by the supply unit in response to a received message carrying activation information and in accordance with the received activation information.

[0018] The changed parameters affect the provision of fluid and in particular the quality of the provided fluid.

[0019] - flow rate, i.e. a measure of quantity per time unit,

[0020] - pressure, preferably relative to the ambient pressure,

[0021] - temperature, or

[0022] -Chemical composition.

[0023] The change in the parameter may also be incremental, ie a change in the flow rate, the pressure or the temperature.

[0024] The parameter or parameters may also be the start and / or duration of a time period during which the fluid should be provided, wherein the provision should automatically end after expiration of the time period. The parameter may also be changed at the start (flow rate greater than zero) or end (flow rate equal to zero) of the fluid provision.

[0025] The actuation unit according to the present invention enables actuation of the supply unit. Due to the present invention, there is no need to directly actuate the medical device to alter the delivery of fluid to the medical device. Thus, the medical device can be actuated remotely. Furthermore, this effect of the present invention reduces the need for variability between actuation units in many cases, as the number of different supply units is typically much smaller than the number of medical devices to be supplied. In many cases, the same supply unit can sequentially supply different medical devices.

[0026] According to the present invention, an actuation unit is provided that can be spatially separated from the medical device. This allows the actuation unit or actuation area of the medical device to be designed smaller and clearer than if additional actuation elements had to be installed on the actuation unit or actuation area of the medical device in order to change the fluid supply.

[0027] According to the present invention, a message containing actuation information can be wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter of the actuation unit or one of the actuation units to the receiver of the supply unit via a data connection. This feature eliminates the need to connect the actuation unit to the supply unit via a cable or other data line. The length of this data line limits the maximum possible distance between the actuation unit and the supply unit during actuation of the actuation element of the actuation unit. In many cases, the distance between the actuation unit or the actuation unit and the supply unit can be more easily bridged using a wireless data connection between the transmitter and the receiver than using data lines.

[0028] Typically, the supply unit includes a housing. When the supply system is used in a hospital or other medical environment, the housing must be regularly cleaned and disinfected. If the actuator unit is connected to the supply unit via a cable or other data line, the data line must be passed through a recess in the housing. This recess can be an entry point for harmful particles. The data line must also be regularly cleaned and disinfected. This places additional demands on the material used to manufacture the sheath of the data line. In particular, longer data lines may require a roll-up mechanism or could become caught in other objects. Furthermore, the data line may be damaged by mechanical loads.

[0029] The present invention avoids the disadvantages of such data lines, since according to the invention the actuation information can be transmitted via a wireless data connection. In particular, the supply system according to the invention can be cleaned and disinfected more easily and in a less time-consuming manner.

[0030] It is possible that actuation of the actuation unit or an actuation element of an actuation unit triggers the establishment of a wireless data connection between the transmitter of the actuation unit and the receiver of the supply unit, followed by the transmission of a message containing the actuation information via the established wireless data connection. The data connection can then be interrupted or terminated again. The data connection can also be permanently established during use of the medical device.

[0031] In one embodiment, the supply unit includes a plurality of fluid supply connections. These fluid supply connections may be different depending on the fluid being supplied. Alternatively, two fluid supply connections may supply the same fluid with different parameters, such as different flow rates and / or pressures relative to ambient pressure and / or temperatures. Optionally, the supply unit includes at least one additional supply connection for electrical energy or for connecting the medical device to a data network.

[0032] According to the present invention, the transmitter of the actuation unit is capable of transmitting a message with actuation information to the receiver of the supply unit. In a preferred design, the actuation information includes an identifier of the fluid supply connection end involved in the actuation. In the case of multiple fluid supply connection ends and in the case of only one fluid supply connection end, the actuation information preferably additionally includes a message with the desired processing at the fluid supply connection end, in particular provisions on whether the volume flow rate should be increased or decreased. A special case is the following actuation information: the fluid supply is started through the fluid supply connection end, that is, it should be increased from zero to a value greater than zero, or the fluid supply is ended, that is, the volume flow rate should be reduced to zero. Another special case is the actuation information that the fluid supply should be increased to the maximum possible value. It is also possible that the user actuates the actuation element for a long time and / or frequently, so that the fluid supply connection end or the parameter of the fluid supply connection end adopts the desired value. Preferably, the value currently reached is output in a form that is perceptible to humans.

[0033] The medical device can preferably be releasably connected to the fluid supply connection end or at least one fluid supply connection end of the supply unit. Thus, various medical devices, including different medical devices, can be connected to the same supply unit in sequence and supplied with fluid.

[0034] The supply unit is preferably designed to be stationary, i.e., stationary. It can be used in particular in medical areas, such as hospital wards, operating rooms, and / or intensive care units, treatment rooms in doctors' offices, or ambulances. Mobile or otherwise transportable devices can be temporarily connected to the supply unit and then supplied with the fluid or fluids.

[0035] In one embodiment, the supply unit includes a connector that is fixed to the free end of a mounting arm, in particular, pivotably fixed to a swivel arm. The or each fluid supply connection extends into the connector. The other free end of the mounting arm is fixed to the ceiling or wall of the medical area. The mounting arm is designed to allow the connector of the supply unit to be moved relative to the ceiling or wall to which it is fixed. This allows the connector to be moved to a desired position as long as the mounting arm permits.

[0036] In one embodiment, the supply unit comprises a first receiving unit and optionally additionally at least one second receiving unit, wherein the second receiving unit or each second receiving unit is positioned at a distance from the first receiving unit. The receiving unit or each receiving unit can respectively accommodate an actuating unit. Preferably, the actuating unit or units can be brought into the receiving unit and removed from the receiving unit again or separated from the receiving unit in another way. A user can remove the actuating unit or units from the receiving unit or units, bring them to a desired location, for example, near a patient or near a display unit of a medical device, actuate at least one fluid supply connection from there at least once, and then bring the actuating unit back into the receiving unit or units. It is possible, but not necessary due to the design of the receiving unit, for the user to permanently carry the actuating unit with him or her.

[0037] It is possible that the supply system comprises as many or fewer actuating units as the supply units provide receiving units.

[0038] Different designs are possible for how the receiving unit holds the actuator unit. For example, the receiving unit may comprise a bag into which the actuator unit or the actuator unit can be placed. Alternatively, the receiving unit may comprise at least one protrusion and the actuator unit may comprise a corresponding recess, or vice versa, the actuator unit may comprise a protrusion and the receiving unit may comprise a recess. The protrusion may comprise, for example, a hook, a recess, or an eyelet. Alternatively, the receiving unit may hold the actuator unit by means of a snap-on connection, a clamping connection, a hook-and-loop connection, or a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

[0039] In one design, the supply unit comprises a housing having at least two outer wall sections. The two outer wall sections can extend in two planes that are perpendicular or inclined to each other and are preferably arranged vertically. Preferably, at least one accommodating unit is arranged on each of the two outer wall sections. Due to this design, at least one actuating unit can be grasped from at least two different directions without having to move around the supply unit and without having to rotate the supply unit. It is possible to additionally mount at least one fluid supply connection end on each of the two outer wall sections. In an extension of this design, the housing has the form of a rectangular parallelepiped column, optionally in the form of a column with a square profile. The column provides four outer wall sections. Preferably, at least one accommodating unit is arranged on at least three of the four outer wall sections, particularly preferably on all four outer wall sections.

[0040] In one embodiment, the supply system comprises precisely one actuating unit, with which each fluid supply connection of the supply unit can be actuated—or at least each fluid supply connection that can be remotely controlled and actuated.

[0041] In another embodiment, the supply system includes multiple actuation units. Each actuation unit includes a transmitter. A data connection can be established, at least temporarily, between the transmitter of each actuation unit and a receiver of the supply unit, and the transmitter can wirelessly transmit a message containing actuation information to the receiver via this data connection. Thus, the same supply unit can be actuated by different actuation units, and therefore by different personnel, either simultaneously or with temporal overlap.

[0042] In one embodiment, each remotely actuable fluid supply connection is assigned its own actuation unit. In turn, in this embodiment, exactly one fluid supply connection can be actuated with each actuation unit.

[0043] And in another design, can have the actuating unit less than fluid supply connection end.In addition, can actuate the same fluid supply connection end by different, also different positioning actuating unit.

[0044] In a preferred implementation of this alternative design, only one data connection can be established between the transmitter of the receiving unit and the receiver of the supply unit at any given time. In other words, once a data connection is established between the transmitter of one actuating unit and the receiver, it is impossible to establish a data connection between the transmitter of another actuating unit and the same receiver. More precisely, the supply system blocks and prevents the establishment of this additional data connection. This design ensures that the same supply unit cannot be actuated and modified simultaneously or in a temporally overlapping manner by different actuating units. This prevents, in particular, multiple people from simultaneously actuating the same supply unit, and in particular, the same fluid supply connection.

[0045] Preferably, the supply unit stores in a data memory an unambiguous identifier of an actuating unit whose transmitter is currently connected to the receiver of the supply unit via a wireless data connection, or stores information that no wireless data connection is currently established. The unambiguous identifier distinguishes this actuating unit from every other actuating unit of the supply system.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of this design, each actuator unit includes a first pairing unit. The supply unit includes a second pairing unit. During the step of establishing a data connection between the actuator unit's transmitter and the supply unit's receiver, the two pairing units attempt to pair. If pairing is successful, the data connection is established. As long as the data connection is established, the process of successfully pairing the first pairing unit and the second pairing unit of another actuator unit and thus enabling further data exchange is blocked. Furthermore, this prevents unintended or unauthorized actuation of the supply unit by a user using another actuator unit or other device.

[0047] According to the invention, the supply system is capable of establishing a wireless data connection, at least temporarily, between the transmitter of the actuation unit or one of the actuation units and the receiver of the supply unit. Messages with actuation information can be transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver via this data connection. In one embodiment, the receiver can, in turn, transmit messages to the transmitter. In one embodiment, the receiver of the supply unit sends a message with the actuation information to the transmitter as soon as the actuation specified in the actuation information has been performed on the fluid supply connection or one of the fluid supply connections. Alternatively, if the actuation cannot be performed, the receiver transmits a fault message to the transmitter. Preferably, the actuation unit comprises an output unit for outputting received messages in a form perceptible to humans. This design, in particular, reduces the risk that a user believes that a fluid supply connection has been actuated when in fact it has not.

[0048] In one design, the transmitter of the actuation unit transmits a message containing the actuation information in encrypted form. The receiver of the supply unit preferably transmits a computer-analyzable key to the transmitter. The transmitter uses the received key to encrypt the message containing the actuation information. This design further reduces the risk of unauthorized actuation of the fluid supply connection.

[0049] In a further development of this design, the supply system includes at least two supply units, each having a receiver. Each receiver is capable of transmitting an encrypted message to the actuation unit or its transmitter. The two supply units have different encryption keys. The actuation unit uses the received encryption key of the supply unit to transmit an encrypted message containing the actuation information to the supply unit. In one design, both supply units can be actuated by the same actuation unit.

[0050] The design of the different keys further reduces the risk of accidental or unauthorized activation of the fluid supply connection.

[0051] In one embodiment, an activation criterion is predefined, which relates to the position, orientation, movement, and / or acceleration of the actuating unit relative to the supply unit and / or to the distance between the actuating unit and the supply unit. A data connection between the actuating unit or a transmitter of the actuating unit and a receiver of the supply unit can only be established if this activation criterion is met. Otherwise, the data connection cannot be established.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment of this design, the supply system includes a position sensor that measures the position, orientation, movement, and / or acceleration of the actuating unit relative to the supply unit. The position sensor can be an integral part of the actuating unit or of the supply unit. The control device of the actuating unit and / or the control device of the supply unit receives the signals of the position sensor and, based on these signals, checks whether predetermined activation criteria are met. This design further reduces the risk of triggering unintended or unauthorized actuation of the fluid supply connection.

[0053] If the activation criteria are met, a wireless data connection can be established. Preferably, the position sensor measures the relative position, relative orientation, relative movement, and / or relative acceleration at least once, even while the data connection is established, and the control device checks, based on the signals from the position sensor, whether the activation criteria are still met. Preferably, if the activation criteria are no longer met, the control device terminates the established data connection. This design further reduces the risk of unintended, inadvertent, or unauthorized activation.

[0054] A design of the invention makes it possible in many cases to ensure that the fluid supply connection is actuated only when the distance between the actuation unit and the supply unit is not greater than a predetermined maximum distance and / or only when the actuation unit and the supply unit are located in the same room. This design reduces the risk of a user actuating the fluid supply connection unintentionally or in an unintentional manner, which could occur even if the user is authenticated as an authorized user.

[0055] In this design, the range of the transmitter is limited to a certain maximum transmission power, preferably to a transmission power in the range of -6 dBm to 3 dBm, and in particular to a transmission power of approximately 0 dBm. For example, the maximum transmission power can be designed such that the electromagnetic waves emitted by the transmitter cannot penetrate walls and / or the distance that the emitted electromagnetic waves can travel is at most equal to the maximum distance.

[0056] According to the invention, a wireless data connection can be established at least temporarily between the transmitter of the actuation unit and the receiver of the supply unit. In one embodiment, the data connection is established according to at least one of the following transmission methods:

[0057] -Bluetooth, specifically Bluetooth advertising,

[0058] -WLAN

[0059] - Certified Wireless USB

[0060] -ZigBee

[0061] -Z-Wave

[0062] -DECT

[0063] -WirelessHART

[0064] -HiperLAN

[0065] -HomeRF

[0066] -LoRaWAN.

[0067] The first transmission method may be used initially. If the attempt to establish wireless data transmission using the first method fails, the second transmission method may be used. It is also possible that the transmission method used depends on the measured environmental conditions. For example, the environmental conditions may depend on which electronic devices are located near the actuation unit used for actuation.

[0068] Preferably, the or each actuator unit has its own voltage supply unit. Preferably, the supply unit includes at least one docking station into which the actuator unit can be inserted. Once inserted, the voltage supply unit of the actuator unit in use is charged. This design eliminates the need to remove the voltage supply unit from the actuator unit for charging. Different actuator units can be charged sequentially in the same docking station.

[0069] Preferably, the or each actuation unit can selectively operate in an active mode or a standby mode. In the active mode, the actuation unit is capable of detecting actuation of an actuating element and transmitting a message containing actuation information to the receiver. In the standby mode, the actuation unit consumes less electrical energy per unit time than in the active mode. This design prolongs the operating time of the actuation unit compared to designs in which the actuation unit is permanently in the active mode.

[0070] Preferably, the actuation unit automatically switches to the standby mode if no actuation element is actuated during a time period of a predetermined minimum duration. Preferably, the actuation unit automatically switches back from the standby mode to the active mode, i.e., the actuation unit is "woken up", when at least one of the following events is detected:

[0071] The actuating element or elements of the actuating unit are actuated.

[0072] A movement sensor of the actuating unit detects a movement of the actuating unit.

[0073] The proximity sensor detects that a living being and / or an object is approaching the actuation unit. For example, the proximity sensor can measure temperature and thereby recognize that a user's hand is reaching toward the actuation unit.

[0074] The transmitter of the actuating unit can additionally receive messages, also in standby mode, and an activation message has been transmitted to the transmitter.

[0075] The actuation unit can be designed such that it switches into the active mode sufficiently quickly in the event of a desired actuation.

[0076] In one embodiment, the actuation unit includes an authentication unit. By means of the authentication unit, a user can be automatically authenticated as an authorized user of the actuation unit—or it can be determined that the user is unauthorized. The authentication unit detects, for example, an entered or spoken alphanumeric string and compares it with at least one stored alphanumeric string assigned to authorized users. Alternatively, the authentication unit detects a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint or iris characteristic, and compares the detected biometric characteristic with stored biometric characteristics assigned to authorized users. Only if the user is authenticated as an authorized user can the user use the actuation unit to actuate the fluid supply connection.

[0077] In one design, an authorized user of the actuation unit can actuate each fluid supply connection of the supply unit. In another design, each registered authorized user is assigned regulations that specify which fluid supply connections the user is allowed to actuate and which fluid supply connections the user is not allowed to actuate. For example, a specific user is allowed to actuate each fluid supply connection, while other users are only allowed to actuate one or several fluid supply connections respectively. This design ensures that only sufficiently qualified and authorized users can actuate the fluid supply connections. On the other hand, since specific fluid supply connections can also be actuated by other users, the burden on qualified users is reduced.

[0078] According to the present invention, the or each actuation unit comprises at least one actuation element. The or at least one actuation element preferably comprises a physical button and / or switch and / or key. The actuation element protrudes beyond the housing of the actuation unit or extends from the housing. Such an actuation element can in many cases be actuated more safely than actuation elements designed in a different manner, in particular when the user is wearing gloves and / or when the user actuates the actuation element while not looking at the actuation unit, for example, but rather at the patient, the supply unit, or a display unit showing vital patient parameters.

[0079] According to the present invention, the or each actuating unit comprises at least one actuating element. In one embodiment, the or at least one actuating unit comprises a plurality of actuating elements. Preferably, each actuating element can be actuated independently of the or each other actuating element. The plurality of actuating elements of an actuating unit can relate to different fluid supply connections and / or to different parameters of the same fluid supply connection.

[0080] Preferably, the supply unit and the actuation unit or each actuation unit each comprises a housing. Each housing is preferably designed such that it meets the housing-related requirements for medical devices, in particular requirements with regard to cleaning and sterilization of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] The present invention is described below based on embodiments.

[0082] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the supply system is shown, in which the actuating unit is omitted;

[0083] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the supply system is shown, in which an actuating unit is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The schematic diagram shows two slightly different embodiments of a supply system 1, which can supply different supply media, in particular different fluids, i.e., gases or liquids, to a medical device (not shown). The medical device is, for example, a ventilator, an anesthesia device, or a patient monitor. The stationary supply unit 2 is fixed, for example, to a wall or ceiling of a hospital room and comprises a connecting body 25 with a plurality of outer wall sections 11, 12.

[0085] Preferably, the connecting body 25 has the form of a column with a square or other rectangular outline. The connecting body 25 is suspended on a mounting arm 40, which is only partially shown in the figure. The upwardly pointing end face 30 of the connecting body 25 is connected to the mounting arm 40 via a mounting area 29.

[0086] A plurality of fluid supply connection terminals 3, 4, 5 are integrated into the connector 25. Each fluid supply connection terminal 3, 4, 5 is capable of providing a supply medium in fluid form and can be releasably connected to the corresponding supply pipeline of the medical device, respectively. In this embodiment, the supply connection terminal 3 is capable of providing oxygen, the supply connection terminal 4 is capable of providing breathing air with a lower flow rate, and the supply connection terminal 5 is capable of providing breathing air with a higher flow rate, i.e., a total of two different fluids. The additional supply connection terminal 27 is a network connection terminal, such as an RJ45 socket for Ethernet connection. By inserting the RJ45 plug into the socket, the medical device can be connected to the hospital's wired data network. The connector 25 optionally includes at least one electrical supply connection terminal in the form of a socket, not shown, to provide electrical energy, and optionally includes a handle to change the position of the connector 25 relative to the mounting arm 40.

[0087] Furthermore, the supply system 1 also includes two actuating units 6a and 6b, which are only Figure 2 The supply system 1 can optionally include at least one further actuating unit. Each actuating unit 6a, 6b includes its own voltage supply unit, preferably a battery or battery pack. In this embodiment, three receiving units 12, 13, 14 and optionally at least one further receiving unit (not shown) are arranged on the connecting body 25. The two receiving units 12 and 14 are arranged in a direction pointing to the left. Figure 1 The front outer wall portion 11, which is visible from the viewer, and the receiving unit 13 are arranged on the lateral outer wall portion 10. The receiving units 12, 13, and 14 can each comprise a bag into which the actuating units 6a and 6b can be inserted. In an alternative design, the receiving units retain the actuating units 6a and 6b using permanent magnets or electromagnets. Such receiving units are easier to disinfect and clean than those of different designs.

[0088] Each accommodating unit 12, 13, 14 can accommodate an actuating unit 6a, 6b, respectively. Actuating units 6a, 6b can be selectively inserted into or otherwise inserted into and removed from accommodating units 12, 13, 14. Preferably, each actuating unit 6a, 6b can be selectively inserted into each accommodating unit 12, 13, 14. Accommodating units 12, 13, 14 prevent inserted actuating units 6a, 6b from falling out.

[0089] The connecting body 25 also includes a docking station 24 located on the front outer wall portion 11 and optionally includes additional docking stations (not shown). The docking station 24 has contact surfaces. Each actuating unit 6a, 6b has a corresponding contact surface. When an actuating unit 6a, 6b is inserted into the docking station 24 or another docking station, the voltage supply unit of the actuating unit 6a, 6b in use is charged via these two contact surfaces. Alternatively, the docking station 24 can also charge the voltage supply unit inductively, thus contactlessly.

[0090] The actuation unit 6a includes two actuation elements 7a, 7b and optionally further actuation elements (not shown) that can be actuated by the user to externally manipulate the fluid supply connections 3, 4, 5 and thereby change the volume flow of the fluid passing through the fluid supply connections 3, 4, 5. In particular, the user can turn the volume flow on or off and increase or decrease the volume flow through the actuation. In one design, each actuation element 7a, 7b is assigned to a fluid supply connection 3, 4, 5, respectively. In another design, the user first selects the fluid supply connection 3, 4, 5 using the actuation element 7a and then changes the volume flow using the other actuation element 7b. In this embodiment, the actuation unit 6b is constructed in exactly the same manner as the actuation unit 6a.

[0091] Actuation unit 6a also includes a data-processing control device (controller) 18 and a transmitter 8. The other actuation unit 6b, or any other actuation unit 6b, also includes a control device and a transmitter. Control device 18 is capable of detecting the actuation of actuating elements 7a, 7b and generating a message containing actuation information corresponding to the actuation. This actuation information includes the specification of fluid supply connections 3, 4, 5 and the desired actuation of these fluid supply connections 3, 4, 5. Supply unit 2 includes a control device (controller) 19 and a receiver 9. Receiver 9 is disposed on protrusion 21. A wireless data connection Dv, particularly via radio waves, can be established, at least temporarily, between the transmitter 8 of actuation units 6a, 6b and the receiver 9 of supply unit 2. Transmitter 8 can transmit a message containing the actuation information to receiver 9 via this data connection Dv. Control device 19 of supply unit 2 receives and analyzes this message and actuates the specified fluid supply connections 3, 4, 5 as specified in the received message.

[0092] In this embodiment, it is ensured that at any given time, at most one actuator unit 6a, 6b can send a message to receiver 9 of supply unit 2. Of course, multiple actuator units 6a, 6b can each transmit a message to receiver 9 sequentially. Actuator unit 6a includes a pairing unit 15, and supply unit 2 includes a pairing unit 16. Before a message can be transmitted from actuator unit 6a to supply unit 2, the two pairing units 15 and 16 perform pairing, thereby establishing an exclusive wireless data connection Dv between actuator unit 6a and supply unit 2. "Exclusive" means that while this exclusive data connection Dv is established, no other actuator unit can transmit messages to supply unit 2. If a predetermined interruption criterion is met, for example, if no further data is transmitted to data exchange Dv within a predetermined minimum duration, the data connection Dv is interrupted or terminated. This also applies to actuator unit 6b.

[0093] The actuation unit should be prevented from inadvertently actuating one fluid supply connection 3, 4, 5 of the supply unit 2, for example because the user of the actuation unit actually intended to actuate another fluid supply connection of the same supply unit, another supply unit, or another device. Furthermore, improper actuation should be prevented. In this embodiment, a variety of mechanisms are employed to prevent this. These mechanisms are explained using actuation unit 6a as an example. Preferably, actuation unit 6b and the optional third actuation unit also have at least some or all of these safety mechanisms.

[0094] The actuation unit 6a includes a verification unit 22. This unit checks whether the user of the actuation unit 6a is an authorized user, i.e., a user authorized to transmit an actuation command to the supply unit 2 using the actuation unit 6a. The verification unit 22, for example, detects a password or PIN from the user or performs an isometric check. The actuation elements 7a, 7b are blocked until the user is recognized as an authorized user.

[0095] The user's authorization can be extended to all supply units and all fluid supply connections of these supply units, or be limited to specific supply units and / or specific fluid supply connections 3, 4, 5 and / or specific types of actuation. Optionally, if the current user is not authorized to trigger an actuation by means of an actuation element 7a, 7b, the actuation unit 6a blocks the actuation element 7a, 7b.

[0096] In this embodiment, transmitter 8 of actuator unit 6a is limited to a transmission power within the range of -6 dBm to 3 dBm (decibel milliwatts), specifically to a transmission power of approximately 0 dBm. This ensures that actuator unit 6a can only actuate supply unit 2 when the distance between actuator unit 6a and supply unit 2 is no greater than a predetermined maximum distance. Furthermore, due to this design, messages containing activation information generally cannot penetrate walls. This prevents actuator unit 6a from actuating a supply unit currently located in another room. Such activation from one room to another is generally undesirable.

[0097] Actuating unit 6a also includes a position sensor 17. This position sensor is capable of measuring the position, orientation, movement, and / or acceleration of actuating unit 6a relative to supply unit 2. A control device 18 of actuating unit 6a receives signals from position sensor 17 and checks whether the measured position, orientation, movement, and / or acceleration of actuating unit 6a relative to supply unit 2 meets predetermined activation criteria, such as whether the distance is within predetermined maximum distance limits. Only if these activation criteria are met does control device 18 of actuating unit 6a enable pairing between actuating unit 6a and supply unit 2.

[0098] Preferably, after establishing the data connection Dv, it is checked at least once whether the activation criteria are still met. This check is preferably repeated regularly, in particular at a fixed frequency. If the activation criteria are no longer met, the data connection Dv is preferably interrupted, for example by depairing.

[0099] In one design, the transmitter 8 transmits the measured position, orientation, movement and / or acceleration of the actuation unit 6a to the receiver 9. The control device 19 of the supply unit 2 enables pairing between the actuation unit 6a and the supply unit 2.

[0100] Actuating units 6a and 6b, as well as the further optional actuating units, each have their own voltage supply unit and are only connected to the hospital's fixed voltage supply network when the actuating units 6a, 6b are positioned in the docking station 24. In one embodiment, the supply system 1 comprises more actuating units 6a, 6b than docking stations 24. Furthermore, when the actuating units 6a, 6b are used to actuate the fluid supply connections 3, 4, 5, the actuating units 6a, 6b are generally not positioned in the docking station or docking station 24. To reduce the consumption of electrical energy, a saving mechanism is employed, as described below for the actuating unit 6a. This or other saving mechanisms are preferably also implemented in the actuating unit 6b and the further actuating units, or each further actuating unit.

[0101] The actuation unit 6a can selectively be in an active mode, in which it can detect actuation of the actuation elements 7a, 7b and issue a message containing actuation information, or in a standby mode, in which energy consumption is reduced compared to the active mode. If the actuation unit 6a is not used, and in particular, the actuation elements 7a, 7b are not actuated, for a period of time having a predetermined minimum duration, the actuation unit 6a automatically switches from the active mode to the standby mode. The actuation unit 6a automatically switches back to the active mode when at least one of the following events occurs and is detected:

[0102] - The user actuates the actuation elements 7a, 7b.

[0103] The position sensor 17 detects a movement or acceleration that exceeds a predetermined lower limit.

[0104] The proximity sensor 20 of the actuating unit 6a detects that a person is approaching the actuating unit 6a or has already grasped the actuating unit 6a.

[0105] Reference Signs List

[0106] 1 Supply system, comprising supply unit 2, actuation units 6a, 6b and optionally further actuation units 2 Supply unit, including connecting body 25, mounting arm 40, receiver 9, pairing unit 16 and control device 19 3 Fluid supply connection for oxygen on connector 25 4 Fluid supply connection for breathing air with a lower flow rate on the connecting body 25 5 Fluid supply connection for breathing air with a higher flow rate on the connecting body 25 6a Actuation unit of supply system 1, comprising actuation elements 7a, 7b, transmitter 8, pairing unit 15, position sensor 17 and control device 18 6b Additional actuating units of the supply system 1 7a, 7b Actuating element of the actuating unit 6a 8 The transmitter of the actuator unit 6a is temporarily in wireless data connection Dv with the receiver 9 9 The receiver of the supply unit 2 is temporarily in wireless data connection Dv with the transmitter 8 10 Lateral outer wall portion with accommodation unit 13 11 Front outer wall section with accommodation units 12, 14 12, 14 Accommodation unit on the front outer wall portion 11 13 Accommodation unit on the lateral outer wall portion 10 15 Counterpart unit of actuating unit 6 16 Pairing unit for supply unit 2 17 Position sensor of the actuating unit 6a, measuring the position, orientation, movement and / or acceleration of the actuating unit 6a relative to the supply unit 2 18 Control device for processing data of the actuator unit 6a 19 Control device for processing data of supply unit 2 21 A projection of the supply unit 2 on which the receiver 9 is arranged 22 The verification unit of the actuation unit 6a checks whether the user is authorized 24 Docking station on front outer wall portion 11 25 Connector, comprising fluid supply connectors 3, 4, 5, supply connector 27, docking station 24, receiving units 12, 13, 14, protrusion 21 and upwardly directed end face 30 27 Network connection terminal in the form of an RJ45 socket on the connector 25 29 The mounting area that connects the end surface 30 of the connecting body 25 to the mounting arm 40 40 A mounting arm fixed or fixable to the ceiling, from which the connector 25 is suspended Dv Wireless data connection between transmitter 8 and receiver 9

Claims

1. A supply system (1) for supplying at least one fluid to a medical device, The supply system comprises a supply unit (2) and an actuating unit (6a, 6b), The supply unit (2) comprises at least one fluid supply connection end (3, 4, 5) and a receiver (9), wherein the fluid supply connection end (3, 4, 5) or each fluid supply connection end (3, 4, 5) is designed to provide fluid to the medical device, The actuation unit (6a, 6b) comprises at least one actuation element (7a, 7b) actuatable by a person and a transmitter (8), wherein a wireless data connection (Dv) can be established at least temporarily for transmitting messages from the sender (8) to the receiver (9), wherein the actuation unit (6a, 6b) is designed to: detect the actuation element (7a, 7b) or the actuation of the actuation element (7a, 7b), and - generating, as a function of the detected actuation, a message with actuation information identifying said actuation and transmitting it to said receiver (9) via said data connection (Dv), wherein said supply unit (2) is designed to change a parameter of said supply unit (2) in response to receiving said message with said actuation information, wherein the parameter influences the provision of fluid by the fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5) or at least one fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5), The supply system (1) comprises a plurality of actuating units and the supply unit (2) can be actuated simultaneously or in a temporally overlapping manner by different actuating units and thus also by different persons.

2. The supply system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The supply unit comprises a first accommodating unit (12) which is designed to accommodate the actuating unit (6a, 6b) or the actuating unit (6a, 6b) and to releasably hold the actuating unit (6a, 6b) or the actuating unit (6a, 6b), The actuating unit (6a, 6b) can be inserted into the first receiving unit (12) and removed from the first receiving unit (12) again.

3. The supply system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The supply system comprises at least one second accommodation unit (13, 14), wherein the second receiving unit (13, 14) or each second receiving unit (13, 14) is spatially separated from the first receiving unit (12) and is also designed to receive and hold the actuating unit (6a, 6b), The actuating unit (6a, 6b) or the actuating unit (6a, 6b) can be selectively inserted into the first accommodating unit (12) or into the second accommodating unit (13, 14) or the second accommodating unit (13, 14), and can be taken out of the accommodating unit (12, 13, 14) again.

4. The supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The fluid is oxygen and / or compressed air.

5. The supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The wireless data connection (Dv) is a data connection by means of electromagnetic waves.

6. The supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The supply system (1) comprises at least two actuating units (6a, 6b), and The supply system (1) is designed to block the establishment of a data connection (Dv) for transmitting information from the transmitter (8) of another actuating unit (6b) to the receiver (9) when a data connection (Dv) for transmitting information is established from the transmitter (8) of the actuating unit (6a) to the receiver (9).

7. The supply system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that Each actuating unit (6a, 6b) comprises a first mating unit (15), and The supply unit (2) comprises a second pairing unit (16), Two pairing units (15, 16) are designed to perform pairing between the actuating unit (6a) and the supply unit (2).

8. Supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that After a data connection (Dv) has been established between the transmitter (8) or between the transmitter (8) and the receiver (9), a message can be transmitted from the receiver (9) to the transmitter (8), The supply unit (2) has a data memory in which a computer-analyzable key is stored. wherein the receiver (9) is designed to transmit a message having the key to the transmitter (8), and wherein the transmitter (8) is designed to automatically - encrypting the or each message with the activation information using the received key, and - transmitting the encrypted message to the receiver (9) via the data connection (Dv).

9. The supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The supply system (1) comprises a position sensor (17) designed to detect the position, orientation, movement and / or acceleration of the actuating unit (6a, 6b) or of the actuating unit (6a, 6b) relative to the supply unit (2), and / or the distance between the actuating unit (6a, 6b) and the supply unit (2), The supply system (1) is designed to establish or inhibit a data connection (Dv) between a transmitter (8) of an actuating unit (6a, 6b) and a receiver (9) depending on a signal from the position sensor (17).

10. A device comprising - medical equipment, and - a supply system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, The medical device is connected or can be connected to a fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5) or at least one fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5) of the supply system (1).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that The medical device is a ventilator or an anesthesia device or a patient monitor.

12. Use of the supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Used to supply at least one fluid to a medical device.

13. The use according to claim 12, characterized in that The medical device is a ventilator or an anesthesia device or a patient monitor.

14. The use according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The fluid is breathing air and / or oxygen.

15. Method for supplying at least one fluid to a medical device using a supply system (1), the supply system (1) comprising a supply unit (2) and an actuation unit (6a, 6b), The supply unit (2) comprises at least one fluid supply connection end (3, 4, 5) and a receiver (9), The actuation unit (6a, 6b) comprises at least one actuation element (7a, 7b) actuatable by a person and a transmitter (8), wherein the or each fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5) is designed to supply fluid to a medical device, and The method comprises the steps of automatically performing: - the actuation unit (6a, 6b) detects the actuation element (7a, 7b) or the actuation of the actuation element (7a, 7b), - said actuation unit (6a, 6b) generates, as a function of the detected actuation, a message with actuation information identifying said actuation, - establishing a wireless data connection (Dv) from said transmitter (8) to said receiver (9) for transmitting a message, - transmitting the generated message from the sender (8) to the receiver (9) via the established data connection (Dv), and - changing a parameter of said supply unit (2) in response to receiving said actuation information, wherein the parameter influences the provision of fluid by the fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5) or at least one fluid supply connection (3, 4, 5), The supply system (1) comprises a plurality of actuating units and the supply unit (2) can be actuated simultaneously or in a temporally overlapping manner by different actuating units and thus also by different persons.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The fluid is oxygen and / or compressed air.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The wireless data connection (Dv) is a data connection by means of electromagnetic waves.

18. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that A wireless data connection (Dv) is established from the transmitter (8) to the receiver (9) for transmitting a message only when a predetermined connection criterion is met, At least if - the position, orientation, movement and / or acceleration of the actuating unit (6a, 6b) relative to the supply unit (2) measured by a position sensor (17) meets a predetermined activation criterion, and / or - the distance between the actuating unit (6a, 6b) and the connecting unit (2) is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum distance, and / or - verification by a verification unit (22) that the detected actuation of the actuating element (7a, 7b) is performed by an authorized user, and / or - there is currently no data connection established from the transmitter of the other actuating unit to the receiver (9), Then the connection criterion is met.

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