Medical monitor and plug-in module thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of medical instruments, and discloses a medical monitor and a plug-in module thereof, the medical monitor comprises: a communication module and a communication connector, the communication module comprises a first communication module and a second communication module, the communication rate of the first communication module is greater than the communication rate of the second communication module; the communication connector comprises a first pin and a second pin, the fixed end of the first pin is connected with the first communication module, the free end of the first pin is used for being connected with a first communication module of a plug-in module of the medical monitor, and the fixed end of the second pin is used for being connected with a second communication module. The free end of the second pin is used for being connected with a second communication module of the plug-in module of the medical monitor. According to the invention, the data transmission efficiency can be improved, and the accuracy and timeliness of data transmission are further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical instruments, and in particular to a medical monitor and a plug-in module thereof. Background Art

[0002] Medical monitors can usually access different plug-in modules through slots and other interfaces to expand the parameter functions of the monitor. Plug-in modules can be divided into multi-parameter plug-in modules and single-parameter plug-in modules. Multi-parameter plug-in modules usually integrate but are not limited to the collection and monitoring functions of multiple physiological parameters such as ECG, blood oxygen, blood pressure, and body temperature, while single-parameter modules only have the collection and monitoring function of a single physiological parameter. Due to the different integrated parameters, the data communication volume of multi-parameter plug-in modules is much larger than that of single-parameter plug-in modules.

[0003] The existing plug-in communication system of medical monitors, whether it is a multi-parameter plug-in module or a single-parameter plug-in module, uses the same communication signal type, which is generally a lower-speed communication signal type, such as optically coupled isolation communication or serial port (such as RS232 or RS485) signals.

[0004] For single-parameter plug-in modules with small communication data volumes, these lower-speed communication signal types can meet the needs. However, for multi-parameter plug-in modules with large communication data volumes, due to the low efficiency of low-speed communication signals and the long data transmission time, data delays and even packet loss are easily caused, affecting the accuracy and real-time performance of physiological parameter detection. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a medical monitor and a plug-in module thereof to solve the problem that the multi-parameter plug-in module of the existing medical monitor takes a long time to transmit data, easily causing data delay or even packet loss, and affecting the accuracy and real-time performance of physiological parameter detection.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a medical monitor, comprising: a communication module and a communication connector, the communication module comprising a first communication module and a second communication module, the communication rate of the first communication module being greater than the communication rate of the second communication module;

[0007] The communication connector includes a first pin and a second pin, the fixed end of the first pin is connected to the first communication module, the free end of the first pin is used to connect to the plug-in module having the first communication module, the fixed end of the second pin is used to connect to the second communication module, and the free end of the second pin is used to connect to the plug-in module having the second communication module.

[0008] The medical monitor provided in the embodiment of the present invention is configured with both a high-speed communication module (first communication module) and a low-speed communication module (second communication module). Therefore, the plug-in module can transmit the collected data to the medical monitor through the high-speed communication module, thereby improving the data transmission efficiency, and further improving the accuracy and timeliness of data transmission. If the amount of data collected by the plug-in module is small (for example, a single-parameter plug-in module) or the timeliness and accuracy of data transmission are not required, the collected data can also be transmitted to the medical monitor through the low-speed communication module to reduce the cost and technical requirements of communication.

[0009] In addition, in the medical monitor provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the pins of the low-speed communication module and the high-speed communication module are arranged in the same connector. Correspondingly, although the connector of the plug-in module may not necessarily be provided with the same number of pins and the positions are completely corresponding, for example, some plug-in modules only have pins corresponding to the first pin, and do not have pins corresponding to the second pin, and some are the opposite, but the connection structure used for plug-in of the communication connector of the plug-in module is consistent, and all correspond to the connection structure of the communication connector of the medical monitor. In this way, the connector types of the high-speed communication plug-in module and the low-speed communication plug-in module can be kept consistent, thereby ensuring that different plug-in modules can be blindly plugged into the universal slot of the plug-in medical monitor, which is convenient for operation.

[0010] In an optional implementation, the first communication module is an Ethernet communication module.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the Ethernet communication module includes an Ethernet data link layer chip, a physical layer chip, and a network isolation transformer that are connected in sequence.

[0012] In an optional implementation, there are multiple communication connectors, and the first pins of the multiple communication connectors are sequentially connected in series and then connected to the network isolation transformer.

[0013] In an optional implementation, there are multiple communication connectors, and the first pins of the multiple communication connectors are connected in parallel and respectively connected to the network isolation transformer.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the Ethernet communication module includes an Ethernet data link layer chip, an Ethernet switch chip, and a network isolation transformer connected in sequence;

[0015] There are multiple network isolation transformers, each of which is connected to the Ethernet switch chip respectively, and each of which is connected to the first pin of a communication connector respectively.

[0016] In an optional implementation, the second communication module is an optically coupled isolation communication module or a serial communication module.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a plug-in module for a medical monitor, comprising a parameter acquisition module, a communication module and a communication connector;

[0018] The communication module is a first communication module or a second communication module, and the communication rate of the first communication module is greater than the communication rate of the second communication module;

[0019] The communication connector includes a third pin or a fourth pin, the fixed end of the third pin is used to connect to the first communication module, the free end of the third pin is used to connect to the first pin of the medical monitor, the fixed end of the fourth pin is used to connect to the second communication module, and the free end of the fourth pin is used to connect to the second pin of the medical monitor.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the parameter acquisition module is a single parameter acquisition module, and the communication module is a second communication module; or,

[0021] The parameter acquisition module is a multi-parameter acquisition module, and the communication module is a first communication module.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, the first communication module includes a network isolation transformer, a physical layer chip and an Ethernet data link layer chip connected in sequence; or, the first communication module includes a network isolation transformer, a network conversion chip and an Ethernet data link layer chip connected in sequence. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 is a structural block diagram of a medical monitor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of pin assignment of a communication connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 It is a block diagram of a medical monitor and its plug-in module using infrared isolation communication;

[0027] Figure 4 is a structural block diagram of a medical monitor and its plug-in module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5is a structural block diagram of another medical monitor and its plug-in module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 4 is a structural block diagram of another medical monitor and its plug-in module according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention provides a medical monitor, which improves the data transmission efficiency between the medical monitor and the plug-in module by adding a high-speed communication module, thereby improving the accuracy and timeliness of data transmission.

[0032] See also Figure 1 In this embodiment, a medical monitor 1 is provided, comprising: a communication module and a communication connector, the communication module comprising a first communication module 102 and a second communication module 103, the communication rate of the first communication module 102 is greater than the communication rate of the second communication module 103; of course, the medical monitor may also include a display module, a data processing module, etc.; Figure 1 The plug-in module 2 shown in has only a first communication module;

[0033] See also Figure 2 The communication connector includes a first pin 104 and a second pin 105, wherein the fixed end of the first pin 104 is connected to the first communication module 102, and the free end of the first pin 104 is used to connect to the plug-in module 2 having the first communication module 102, the fixed end of the second pin 105 is used to connect to the second communication module 103, and the free end of the second pin 105 is used to connect to the plug-in module 2 having the second communication module 103. The specific shapes of the first pin 104 and the second pin 105 can be various styles that exist or will appear in the future, which are not limited here.

[0034] The plug-in module 2 here can be a multi-parameter plug-in module or a single-parameter plug-in module. The multi-parameter plug-in module usually integrates but is not limited to the collection and monitoring functions of multiple physiological parameters such as electrocardiogram, blood oxygen, blood pressure, and body temperature, while the single-parameter module only has the collection and monitoring function of a single physiological parameter. The plug-in module 2 does not necessarily have the first communication module 102 and the second communication module 103 at the same time. Generally speaking, the single-parameter plug-in module is configured with the second communication module 103, and the multi-parameter plug-in module is configured with the first communication module 102. Of course, the single-parameter plug-in module can also be configured with the first communication module 102.

[0035] In addition, the medical monitor may also include wireless communication modules, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, and 5G.

[0036] The communication connector can be arranged in the plug-in box of the medical monitor, and can be specifically arranged in the form of a plug-in slot (also called a slot). The communication connector can also include a power supply pin 10a and a ground pin 10b.

[0037] The medical monitor provided in this embodiment is configured with both a high-speed communication module (first communication module 102) and a low-speed communication module (second communication module 103). Therefore, the plug-in module 2 can transmit the collected data to the medical monitor through the high-speed communication module, thereby improving the data transmission efficiency, and further improving the accuracy and timeliness of data transmission. If the amount of data collected by the plug-in module 2 is small (for example, a single-parameter plug-in module) or the timeliness and accuracy of data transmission are not required, the collected data can also be transmitted to the medical monitor through the low-speed communication module to reduce the cost and technical requirements of communication.

[0038] In addition, in the medical monitor provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the pins of the low-speed communication module and the high-speed communication module are arranged in the same connector. Correspondingly, although the connector of the plug-in module may not necessarily be provided with the same number of pins and the positions are completely corresponding, for example, some plug-in modules only have pins corresponding to the first pin, and do not have pins corresponding to the second pin, and some are the opposite, but the connection structure used for plug-in of the communication connector of the plug-in module is consistent, and all correspond to the connection structure of the communication connector of the medical monitor. In this way, the connector types of the high-speed communication plug-in module and the low-speed communication plug-in module can be kept consistent, thereby ensuring that different plug-in modules can be blindly plugged into the universal slot of the plug-in medical monitor, which is convenient for operation.

[0039] In some optional specific implementations, the second communication module 103 may be an optically coupled isolation communication module or a serial communication module. The optically coupled isolation communication module may be, for example, Figure 3The infrared isolated communication module shown is used, and the medical monitor and the plug-in module are respectively provided with an infrared transceiver module and a modulation and demodulation circuit (such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA)) to realize communication. The serial communication module can be, for example, an RS232 communication module or an RS485 communication module.

[0040] In some optional specific implementations, the first communication module 102 is an Ethernet communication module. Of course, the first communication module 102 can also be other high-speed communication modules, which is not limited here.

[0041] For some of the optional implementations, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 The Ethernet communication module includes an Ethernet data link layer chip, a physical layer chip and a network isolation transformer which are connected in sequence.

[0042] Specifically, the data link layer chip is used to implement the media access control sublayer (Media Access Control, MAC) protocol, such as 10 / 100M Ethernet MAC. The data link layer chip is generally linked to the physical layer chip through a media independent interface (MII) or a reduced media independent interface (RMII). The specific implementation form of the data link layer chip can be an application chip such as a CPU, MCU or switch chip. The physical layer chip, that is, the PHY chip, is a chip responsible for physical layer protocol processing in Ethernet communication. The data link layer chip and the physical layer chip can be implemented by one application chip or by two different application chips.

[0043] The network isolation transformer is used to enhance the differential signal sent from the PHY end by coupling and filtering with a differential mode coupled coil, and couples it to different levels through electromagnetic field conversion.

[0044] The network isolation transformer and the communication connector can be integrated together. For example, an integrated isolated network port can be used to implement the functions of the network isolation transformer and the communication connector.

[0045] In some optional specific implementations, there are multiple communication connectors, and the first pins of the multiple communication connectors connected in series are connected sequentially or in parallel. Specifically, the first pins of the multiple communication connectors are connected in series sequentially and then connected to the network isolation transformer; or the first pins of the multiple communication connectors are connected in parallel and respectively connected to the network isolation transformer.

[0046] Specifically, see Figure 4, the data link layer chip (10 / 100M Ethernet MAC) at the medical monitor (host) end is connected to the physical layer chip (PHY chip) through the MII / RMII interface; the physical layer chip is connected to the network isolation transformer, and outputs the PHY differential signal to the network isolation transformer; the *PHY differential signal coupled and output by the network isolation transformer is then serially routed to the distribution pins (i.e., the first pin 104) of the multi-parameter plug-in module communication signal of each connector of the medical monitor (host) slot. For example, the medical monitor (host) is provided with n communication connectors, namely, communication connector-1, communication connector-2, communication connector-3...communication connector-n-2, communication connector-n-1, communication connector-n, then the first pin of communication connector-1 is connected to the network isolation transformer and then connected to the first pin of communication connector-2, the first pin of communication connector-2 is also connected to the first pin of communication connector-3,...the first pin of communication connector-n-2 is connected to the first pin of communication connector-n-1, and the first pin of communication connector-n-1 is connected to the first pin of communication connector-n. Specifically, if there are multiple first pins of the communication connector, then the multiple first pins of the multiple communication connectors are connected in series in sequence. For example, the communication connector has 4 first pins: first pin No. 1, first pin No. 2, first pin No. 3 and first pin No. 4, then the first pin No. 1 of the multiple communication connectors is connected in series in sequence, the first pin No. 2 is connected in series in sequence, the first pin No. 3 is connected in series in sequence, and the first pin No. 4 is connected in series in sequence, and different first pins do not interfere with each other. The same data link layer chip at the multi-parameter plug-in module end is connected to the physical layer chip, the physical layer chip is connected to the network isolation transformer, and the output *PHY differential signal is connected to the connector of the multi-parameter plug-in module. Finally, the multi-parameter plug-in module can be inserted into any slot of the medical monitor (host), and the connector of the multi-parameter plug-in module is connected to the connector of the medical monitor (host) slot, forming an Ethernet interconnection communication link between the two.

[0047] See also Figure 5, the *PHY differential signals output by coupling through the network isolation transformer in the medical monitor (host) are respectively routed in parallel to the distribution pins (i.e., the first pin 104) of the multi-parameter plug-in module communication signals of each connector of the slot of the medical monitor (host). For example, the medical monitor (host) is provided with n communication connectors, namely, communication connector-1, communication connector-2, communication connector-3...communication connector-n-2, communication connector-n-1, communication connector-n, then the first pin of communication connector-1 is connected to the network isolation transformer, the first pin of communication connector-2 is also connected to the network isolation transformer, the first pin of communication connector-3 is also connected to the network isolation transformer...the first pin of communication connector-n-2 is also connected to the network isolation transformer, the first pin of communication connector-n-1 is also connected to the network isolation transformer, and the first pin of communication connector-n is also connected to the network isolation transformer. Specifically, if there are multiple first pins of the communication connector, then the multiple first pins of the multiple communication connectors are connected to the network isolation transformer respectively. For example, the communication connector has 4 first pins: first pin No. 1, first pin No. 2, first pin No. 3 and first pin No. 4, then the first pin No. 1 of each communication connector is connected to the network isolation transformer, the first pin No. 2 is also connected to the network isolation transformer, the first pin No. 3 is also connected to the network isolation transformer, and the first pin No. 4 is also connected to the network isolation transformer, and different first pins do not interfere with each other. Finally, the multi-parameter plug-in module can also be inserted into any slot of the host, and the connector of the multi-parameter plug-in module is connected to the connector of the host slot, and an Ethernet interconnection communication link is formed between the two.

[0048] In the use configuration of the medical monitor, a medical monitor generally only uses one multi-parameter plug-in module, that is, the connector of only one slot will be connected to the connector of the multi-parameter plug-in module to connect the Ethernet communication signal, and the multi-parameter plug-in module communication signal pins of the connectors of other slots are suspended and not used. This embodiment can realize the blind insertion of a single multi-parameter plug-in module in any slot of the medical monitor in a low-cost manner.

[0049] For other optional specific implementations, please refer to Figure 6 , the Ethernet communication module includes an Ethernet data link layer chip, an Ethernet switch chip and a network isolation transformer connected in sequence;

[0050] There are multiple network isolation transformers, each of which is connected to the Ethernet switch chip respectively, and each of which is connected to the first pin of a communication connector respectively.

[0051] Specifically, an Ethernet switch chip is a network switching chip based on the Ethernet standard, which is used to process and distribute network data. The network isolation transformer and the communication connector can be integrated together, for example, an integrated isolated network port can be used to implement the functions of the network isolation transformer and the communication connector.

[0052] If the medical monitor needs to access multiple plug-in modules that require high-speed communication, such as multiple multi-parameter plug-in modules that use Ethernet communication, the technical solution provided in this embodiment can be used. Figure 6 The data link layer chip (10 / 100M Ethernet MAC) at the medical monitor (host) end is connected to the Ethernet switch chip through the MII / RMII interface; the switch chip allocates different PHY ports to output PHY1~PHYn differential signals to different network isolation transformers; the *PHY1~*PHYn differential signals coupled and output by the network isolation transformer are then routed to the distribution pins (i.e., the first pin 104) of the communication signal of the multi-parameter plug-in module of the communication connector 1~communication connector n of the medical monitor (host) slot.

[0053] In this embodiment, different Ethernet communication links are extended through an Ethernet switch and connected to the connectors of the medical monitor (host) slots respectively. The circuit will no longer limit the number of plug-in modules that use Ethernet communication. Even single-parameter plug-in modules can also be upgraded to Ethernet communication.

[0054] In some optional specific implementations, the second communication module 103 is an optically coupled isolation communication module or a serial communication module.

[0055] The optical coupling isolation communication may be an infrared optical coupling isolation communication module, and the serial communication may adopt RS232 protocol or RS485 protocol. The specific implementation of the second communication module 103 may refer to the relevant technology, which will not be described here.

[0056] This embodiment also provides a plug-in module of a medical monitor, which may be the medical monitor in the above embodiment, and the plug-in module includes a parameter acquisition module, a communication module and a communication connector;

[0057] The communication module is a first communication module or a second communication module, and the communication rate of the first communication module is greater than the communication rate of the second communication module;

[0058] The communication connector includes a third pin or a fourth pin, the fixed end of the third pin is used to connect to the first communication module, the free end of the third pin is used to connect to the first pin of the medical monitor, the fixed end of the fourth pin is used to connect to the second communication module, and the free end of the fourth pin is used to connect to the second pin of the medical monitor.

[0059] The communication connector of the plug-in module may also include a power pin and a ground pin, etc.

[0060] The plug-in module provided in this embodiment can be a multi-parameter plug-in module or a single-parameter plug-in module. The multi-parameter plug-in module is generally provided with a first communication module, while the multi-parameter plug-in module is generally provided with a second communication module. The plug-in module provided with only the first communication module is only provided with a third pin, but not a fourth pin, and the plug-in module provided with only the second communication module is only provided with a fourth pin, but not a third pin. However, regardless of the type of plug-in module, the connection structure of the communication connector used for plug-in is consistent, and corresponds to the connection structure of the communication connector of the medical monitor, so that the connector types of the high-speed communication plug-in module and the low-speed communication plug-in module can be kept consistent, thereby ensuring that different plug-in modules can be blindly plugged into the universal slot of the plug-in medical monitor, which is convenient for operation.

[0061] In some optional specific implementations, the parameter acquisition module is a single parameter acquisition module, and the communication module is a second communication module; or,

[0062] The parameter acquisition module is a multi-parameter acquisition module, and the communication module is a first communication module.

[0063] In some optional specific implementations, the first communication module includes a network isolation transformer, a physical layer chip and an Ethernet data link layer chip connected in sequence; or, the first communication module includes a network isolation transformer, a network conversion chip and an Ethernet data link layer chip connected in sequence.

[0064] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A medical monitor, characterized in that: include: A communication module and a communication connector, wherein the communication module includes a first communication module and a second communication module, and the communication rate of the first communication module is greater than the communication rate of the second communication module; The communication connector includes a first pin and a second pin, the fixed end of the first pin is connected to the first communication module, the free end of the first pin is used to connect to a plug-in module having the first communication module, the fixed end of the second pin is used to connect to the second communication module, and the free end of the second pin is used to connect to a plug-in module having the second communication module.

2. The medical monitor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first communication module is an Ethernet communication module.

3. The medical monitor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The Ethernet communication module comprises an Ethernet data link layer chip, a physical layer chip and a network isolation transformer which are connected in sequence.

4. The medical monitor according to claim 3, characterized in that: There are multiple communication connectors, and the first pins of the multiple communication connectors are connected in series in sequence and then connected to the network isolation transformer.

5. The medical monitor according to claim 3, characterized in that: There are multiple communication connectors, and the first pins of the multiple communication connectors are connected in parallel and respectively connected to the network isolation transformer.

6. The medical monitor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The Ethernet communication module includes an Ethernet data link layer chip, an Ethernet switch chip and a network isolation transformer connected in sequence; There are multiple network isolation transformers, each of which is connected to the Ethernet switch chip respectively, and each of which is connected to the first pin of the communication connector respectively.

7. The medical monitor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second communication module is an optical coupling isolation communication module or a serial communication module.

8. A plug-in module for a medical monitor, characterized in that: It includes a parameter acquisition module, a communication module and a communication connector; The communication module is a first communication module or a second communication module, and the communication rate of the first communication module is greater than the communication rate of the second communication module; The communication connector includes a third pin or a fourth pin, the fixed end of the third pin is used to connect to the first communication module, the free end of the third pin is used to connect to the first pin of the medical monitor, the fixed end of the fourth pin is used to connect to the second communication module, and the free end of the fourth pin is used to connect to the second pin of the medical monitor.

9. The plug-in module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The parameter acquisition module is a single parameter acquisition module, and the communication module is a second communication module; or, The parameter acquisition module is a multi-parameter acquisition module, and the communication module is a first communication module.

10. The plug-in module according to claim 8, characterized in that The first communication module includes a network isolation transformer, a physical layer chip and an Ethernet data link layer chip connected in sequence; or, the first communication module includes a network isolation transformer, a network conversion chip and an Ethernet data link layer chip connected in sequence.

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