Method of operating infusion pump for operating in wireless communication network, infusion pump and communication module

Abstract

A method of operation of an infusion pump for operation in a wireless communication network is provided, where the method comprises: detecting, by the infusion pump, a shutdown command, where the shutdown command signals a shutdown of the infusion pump or a switch to a standby mode of the infusion pump; transmitting a wake-up call from the infusion pump to a communication module in the wireless communication network in response to the detection of the shutdown command; closing the infusion pump or switching to a standby mode of the infusion pump if an acknowledgement message is received from the communication module during the first timeout interval, the acknowledgement message signaling the infusion pump that the communication module has completed data transmission to a remote server of the wireless communication network; and transmitting a timeout expiration message to the communication module if the acknowledgement message is not received from the communication module during the first timeout interval. Corresponding infusion pumps and communication modules for operation in a wireless communication network and systems for operation in a wireless communication network are also provided.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating method of an infusion pump for operating in a wireless communication network, as well as an operating method of a communication module for operating in a wireless communication network, an infusion pump, a communication module, and a system including the infusion pump and the communication module.

[0002] Infusion pumps administer medications and anesthesia to patients in an automated and controlled manner. During the infusion, the pump records and / or measures infusion-related information. This information includes, for example, the infusion rate, rest periods ("stop" and "resume" events), and the type of medication administered. To enable remote patient monitoring and care, infusion information is periodically transmitted to a documentation server, also known as an EMR server (EMR, Electronic Medical Record). This automatic, periodic transmission of infusion information from the infusion pump to the EMR server, typically via a dedicated application server, is referred to as automated documentation. Infusion information is stored on the EMR server as part of the electronic medical record. The EMR constitutes a local documentation system that includes medical data associated with patients being treated at a local facility, such as a hospital. The infusion information can then be displayed on an EMR user interface on a terminal or user device coupled to the EMR server. This enables remote access and manipulation of infusion information. For example, an infusion chart can be displayed remotely and signed by a nurse or doctor. The interval at which each infusion pump transmits its infusion information or infusion status to the application server, and thus to the remote server and its documentation system, defines the automated documentation cycle.

[0003] In order to achieve wireless communication between the infusion pump and the application server, the infusion pump is connected to the communication module, for example via a wired LAN connection. The communication module, also known as a wifi module, is configured to communicate wirelessly with the application server, for example via a WLAN connection. Therefore, the infusion pump, the communication module and the application server are part of a wireless communication network. In practice, multiple infusion pumps are connected to one communication module. Multiple infusion pumps are typically connected to one communication module via a rack. For example, multiple infusion pumps are stacked on top of each other in a rack of an infusion pump station. The pumps are interconnected via the rack, and the rack itself is connected to the communication module.

[0004] At the end of an infusion, the pump may be shut down immediately. In this case, the final automatic documentation data is not transmitted to the application server because the communication module or Wi-Fi module is turned off after the pump is shut down. Therefore, the application server loses the automatic documentation data. The automatic documentation data received by the application server is incomplete. The amount of lost data depends on the length of the automatic documentation cycle. The longer the cycle, the more data may be lost. In any case, the final event (the shutdown event) itself is not recorded as part of the automatic documentation data.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the handling of data, such as automatic documentation data, transmitted between an infusion pump and a remote server via a communication module, in particular with regard to data loss protection and error management.

[0006] The object is achieved by means of an operating method for an infusion pump operating in a wireless communication network, wherein the method comprises the following steps: detecting a shutdown command by the infusion pump, wherein the shutdown command signals to shut down the infusion pump or switch to a standby mode of the infusion pump; transmitting a wake-up call from the infusion pump to a communication module in the wireless communication network in response to the detection of the shutdown command; shutting down the infusion pump or switching to the standby mode of the infusion pump if a confirmation message is received from the communication module during a first timeout interval, wherein the confirmation message signals to the infusion pump that the communication module has completed the data transmission to a remote server of the wireless communication network; and transmitting a timeout expiration message to the communication module if no confirmation message is received from the communication module during the first timeout interval.

[0007] Therefore, when a shutdown command is detected, the infusion pump does not immediately shut down or switch to standby mode. Instead, it transmits a wake-up call to the communication module. This wake-up call triggers a final automatic documentation cycle, during which the communication module attempts to transmit any missing automatic documentation data to the remote server. Therefore, this final automatic documentation cycle does not share the same trigger as a normal automatic documentation cycle. The final automatic documentation cycle is triggered solely by the wake-up call. After transmitting the wake-up call, the infusion pump waits for a first timeout interval. Preferably, this first timeout interval is long enough to allow for the complete transmission of data for an average automatic documentation cycle. For example, the first timeout interval lasts less than 60 seconds, such as 30 seconds. If the infusion pump receives an acknowledgment message from the communication module during the first timeout interval, signaling that the data transmission to the remote server has been completed and, therefore, that the final automatic documentation cycle has been successfully completed, the infusion pump shuts down or switches to standby mode in accordance with the shutdown command. The first timeout interval provides the communication module with additional time to attempt to save and transmit any remaining data to the remote server. If no confirmation message is received during the first timeout interval, the infusion pump signals the expiration of the first timeout interval to the communication module using a timeout expiration message. Thus, the present method improves the handling of automatically documented data. Through the present method, the likelihood that the automatically documented data is complete at the remote server is increased. Furthermore, the present method enables error tracking in the event that a complete data transmission cannot be completed.

[0008] In one example, the remote server is a dedicated application server. This means that the remote server is configured to execute software associated with processing data for or from an infusion pump or multiple infusion pumps. The remote server is connected to, for example, a hospital's document or EMR server so that the remote server can transmit and receive data to and from the document or EMR server, particularly automatically documented data received from or for an infusion pump. The communication module is configured to enable wireless communication with other nodes in the wireless communication network, such as a wifi module. The communication module is communicatively connected to one or more infusion pumps, for example, via a serial connection.

[0009] In one embodiment, the infusion pump shuts down or switches to standby mode after expiration of a second timeout interval following transmission of the timeout expiration message. For example, the second timeout interval is shorter than the first timeout interval. The second timeout interval is, for example, less than 10 seconds, such as 3 seconds. The second timeout interval provides the communication module with additional time to process, for example, store information, before shutting down or switching to standby due to the corresponding shutoff or switching to standby of the infusion pump. For example, the second timeout interval provides the communication module with time to store and / or transmit to a remote server information associated with the received timeout expiration message.

[0010] In one embodiment, the transmission of a wake-up call to the communication module is triggered only by a shutdown command. Thus, the wake-up call is initiated only by a shutdown command. The wake-up call then constitutes the sole trigger for the final automatic documentation cycle. The wake-up call is transmitted and the final automatic documentation cycle is initiated only when the pump is shut down or switched to standby.

[0011] The transmission of the wake-up call includes the transmission of an electrical signal sent by the pump to the communication module, for example, an internal electrical signal, in particular a CTS signal, sent by the pump to the communication module using the UART protocol. In one embodiment, the transmission of the wake-up call includes the transmission of a status message that includes information about the status of the pump. In particular, information about whether the pump is about to shut down or switch to standby and / or information about whether the pump is connected to the battery or to the mains. For example, the status message is a C2h / B5h message, in which a flag provided in the message signals to the communication module whether the shutdown or switch to standby is performed when the pump is connected to the battery or to the mains. The sub-identifier B5h signals the read information. Other information can be transmitted in addition or alternatively in the status message.

[0012] In one embodiment, the wake-up call is repeated a defined number of times at defined intervals before the first timeout interval begins. This redundancy increases the reliability of the method. For example, the wake-up call is repeated three times at intervals each having a minimum duration of 600 ms before the first timeout interval begins. This means that the transmission is paused for at least 600 ms between each wake-up call. In one embodiment, the transmission pause is 600 ms. The first timeout interval only begins when the transmission of the third wake-up call has completed.

[0013] In one embodiment, the infusion pump receives a failure message from the communication module, wherein the failure message signals to the infusion pump that transmission of the remaining data by the communication module has failed, and wherein, after receipt of the failure message and before expiration of a first timeout interval, the infusion pump shuts down or switches to standby. Thus, if transmission of the remaining data from the communication module to the remote server is impossible, the infusion pump does not unnecessarily wait for expiration of the first timeout interval. Instead, it shuts down immediately.

[0014] In one embodiment, the infusion pump transmits an acknowledgment message to the communication module upon receipt of the acknowledgment message. The acknowledgment message is, for example, a C2h / 35h command, wherein the flag signals acknowledgment. In one embodiment, the acknowledgment message is a 42h / 35h command, and the infusion pump responds with a C2h / 35h command as an acknowledgment. Thus, if command 42h is successfully received, command 42h is acknowledged by a C2h command, wherein the sub-identifier 35h signals the write information.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is an infusion pump for operating in a wireless communication network, wherein the infusion pump is configured to: detect a shutdown command, wherein the shutdown command signals the infusion pump to be turned off or switched to a standby mode of the infusion pump; transmit a wake-up call to a communication module of the wireless communication network in response to detecting the shutdown command; upon receiving an acknowledgment message from the communication module during a first timeout interval, turn off the infusion pump or switch to the standby mode of the infusion pump, wherein the acknowledgment message signals to the infusion pump that the communication module has completed data transfer; and upon not receiving an acknowledgment message from the communication module during the first timeout interval, transmit a timeout expiration message to the communication module. The infusion pump improves the handling of automatically documented data, particularly with respect to the integrity of the automatically documented data on the remote server, and also when the infusion pump is turned off or switched to standby mode.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is a method for operating a communication module configured to operate in a wireless communication network, wherein the method comprises: receiving a wake-up call from an infusion pump in the wireless communication network; initiating a data transmission to a remote server of the wireless communication network in response to receiving the wake-up call; and transmitting a confirmation message to the infusion pump when the data transmission is complete and no timeout expiration message is received from the infusion pump until the data transmission is complete. The method improves the processing of data, particularly automatically documented data, and particularly its integrity on the remote server.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is a communication module for operating in a wireless communication network, wherein the communication module is configured to: receive a wake-up call from an infusion pump in the wireless communication network; in response to receiving the wake-up call, initiate the transmission of data to a remote server of the wireless communication network; and transmit a confirmation message to the infusion pump when the transmission of the data is completed and no timeout expiration message is received from the infusion pump until the transmission of the data is completed. The communication module improves the processing of data, in particular automatic documentation data, in particular with respect to its integrity on the remote server, even when the connected infusion pump is turned off or switched to standby mode. The communication module is, for example, a network node of the wireless communication network. The communication module is, for example, a WiFi module that enables wireless communication with other network nodes of the network. The communication module is configured to provide wireless transmission of data, in particular automatic documentation data, from the infusion pump to the remote server.

[0018] Finally, the present invention is directed to a system for operating in a wireless communication network, wherein the system comprises an infusion pump according to the present invention and a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the infusion pump is communicatively coupled to the communication module, for example via a bus interface.

[0019] Furthermore, a method operating in the system of claim 14 is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a shutdown command by the infusion pump, wherein the shutdown command signals a shutdown of the infusion pump or a switch to a standby mode of the infusion pump; transmitting, by the infusion pump, a wake-up call to a communication module of the wireless communication network in response to the detection of the shutdown command; receiving, by the communication module, the wake-up call from the infusion pump; initiating, by the communication module, a transmission of data to a remote server of the wireless communication network in response to the receipt of the wake-up call; transmitting, by the communication module, an acknowledgment message to the infusion pump if the communication module completes the transmission of the data and if the communication module does not receive a timeout expiration message from the infusion pump until the transmission of the data is completed; shutting down the infusion pump or switching to the standby mode of the infusion pump if the infusion pump receives the acknowledgment message from the communication module during a first timeout interval, wherein the acknowledgment message signals to the infusion pump that the communication module has completed the data transfer; and transmitting a timeout expiration message to the communication module if no acknowledgment message is received from the communication module during the first timeout interval. In one embodiment, in the event that a battery alarm occurs on the infusion pump and the communication module is aware of the occurrence of the battery alarm, for example because the communication module has requested this information from the infusion pump, transmission of data initiated by the communication module to the remote server is blocked.

[0020] The basic concept of the present invention will be described in detail below with respect to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. For the sake of readability and to avoid repetition, the description of the drawings focuses on the claimed method. However, they also illustrate infusion pumps, communication modules, and systems according to embodiments of the present invention. In this article:

[0021] Figure 1 A method operating in an infusion pump for operating in a wireless communication network and a method operating in a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A method operating in an infusion pump for operating in a wireless communication network and a method operating in a communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0023] Figure 1A method operating in an infusion pump 1 for operating in a wireless communication network and a method operating in a communication module 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention are shown. The infusion pump 1 and the communication module 2 are communicatively connected. For example, they are connected via a serial interface, such as a serial bus. Multiple infusion pumps 1 can be connected to one communication module 2. In one embodiment, the communication module 2 is configured to connect to multiple infusion pumps 1. The infusion pump 1 and the communication module 2 form a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The infusion pump 1 receives a shutdown command 11, for example, initiated by pressing a corresponding button on the infusion pump 1. The shutdown command 11 signals the infusion pump to shut down or switch to standby. For example, the length of time the button on the pump 1 is pressed signals whether the infusion pump 1 should shut down or switch to standby. The infusion pump 1 detects the shutdown command 11 and accordingly transmits a wake-up call 12 to the communication module 2. In this embodiment, the wake-up call is repeated a defined number of times, for example, three times, at intermittent intervals, with transmission pauses during the intermittent intervals. For example, each intermittent interval is at least 600 ms. Each wake-up call 12 includes an electrical signal 121, specifically a CTS signal, sent by the pump 1 to the communication module 2. Additionally, the wake-up call 12 may include a status message 122 carrying information about the pump status. Such pump status information may include information about whether the pump 1 is about to shut down or switch to standby. Alternatively or additionally, the pump status information may include information about whether the pump 1 is connected to the battery or the mains when the shutdown command 11 is detected or initiated. The status message 122 is, for example, a C2h / B5h command. Depending on whether the pump 1 is connected to the battery or the mains after the shutdown command 11 is detected, a flag is set to 0x01 or 0x02. This is a particularly efficient way to signal to the communication module 2 whether the pump 1 is connected to the battery or the mains. After the last wake-up call is transmitted, a first timeout interval 13 begins on the infusion pump 1. During this first timeout interval 13, the pump 1 awaits a response from the communication module 2. This first timeout interval 13 is, for example, 30 seconds. After receiving one of the wake-up calls 12, the communication module 2 begins a final automatic documentation cycle 22. This means that the communication module 2 begins transmitting the remaining data that has not yet been transmitted to the remote server. Upon successful completion of the transmission of the remaining data during the first timeout interval 13—i.e., the final automatic documentation cycle 22—the communication module 2 transmits a confirmation message 21 to the pump 1. If the pump 1 receives this confirmation message 21 within the first timeout interval 13, it responds with an acknowledgement message 14. For example, the acknowledgement message 21 may be a 42h / 35h command with the flag set to 0x00, and the acknowledgement message may be a C2h / 35h command with the flag also set to 0x00. In this way, the pump 1 and the communication module 2 mutually confirm the successful data transmission to the remote server and the receipt of this information by the pump 1. When the pump 1 receives the confirmation message 21, it shuts down or switches to standby mode 15, respectively, after sending the corresponding acknowledgement message 14.The provision of the first timeout interval 13 together with the transmission of the wake-up call 12 to the communication module 2 ensures the integrity of the data transfer from the infusion pump 1 to the remote server via the communication module 2. Data processing, in particular of automatically documented data, is thereby improved.

[0024] If a battery alarm occurs on pump 1 before communication module 2 begins transmitting the remaining data, i.e., before the last automatic documentation cycle, the transmission of the remaining data is not initiated. This means that, in the event of a battery alarm, the last automatic documentation cycle does not occur. In this case, pump 1 will shut down or switch to standby mode 15, respectively, without initiating the first timeout interval 13. In particular, upon detecting a shutdown command, such as by pressing a corresponding button on pump 1, pump 1 will immediately shut down or switch to standby mode. Thus, the autonomy of the pump when connected to the battery is preserved.

[0025] If the communication module 2 is unable to transmit the remaining data, i.e., to execute the last automatic documentation cycle, the communication module 2 transmits a corresponding failure message to the pump 1. This failure message signals to the pump 1 that the transmission of the remaining data has failed. After receiving this message and before the expiration of the first timeout interval 13, the pump 1 is shut down or switched to standby. This prevents unnecessary time from expiring between the initiation of a shutdown command, for example, by pressing a corresponding button on the pump 1, and the actual shutdown or switching to standby.

[0026] Figure 2 A method of operating in an infusion pump 1 for operating in a wireless communication network and a method of operating in a communication module 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. Figure 1 As described in detail, after detection of a shut-down command 11, the pump 1 transmits a wake-up call 12 or a plurality of wake-up calls 12 to the communication module 2. After completion of the wake-up call 12, a first timeout interval 13 starts on the pump 1. Figure 1 FIG. 2 shows a case where the pump 1 receives a confirmation message 21 from the communication module 2 within the first timeout interval 13, while Figure 2Now, a situation is shown where no confirmation message 21 is received during the first timeout interval 13. If the first timeout interval 13 expires on the pump 1 before the confirmation message 21 is received from the communication module 2, the pump 1 transmits a timeout expiration message 16 to the communication module 2. This timeout expiration message 16 alerts the communication module 2 that the first timeout interval 13 has expired. The timeout expiration message 16 is, for example, a C2h / B5h command with a flag set to 0x04. In one embodiment, a second timeout interval 17 is initiated on the infusion pump 1, which is shorter than the first timeout interval 13. The second timeout interval 17 lasts, for example, 3 seconds. Only after the expiration of this second timeout interval 17 does the pump 1 shut down or switch to standby mode 15, respectively. The timeout expiration message 16 provides a form of error management and thus improves data processing.

[0027] Reference Signs List

[0028] 1 infusion pump

[0029] 2 Communication Module

[0030] 11 Shutdown Order

[0031] 12 Wake-up Call

[0032] 121 Electrical signal sent by the pump to the communication module (CTS signal)

[0033] 122 Status Message

[0034] 13 First timeout interval

[0035] 14 Acknowledge message

[0036] 15 Turn off or switch to standby

[0037] 16 Timeout Expiration Message

[0038] 17 Second timeout interval

[0039] 21 Confirmation message

[0040] 22 Automatic Documentation Cycle

Claims

1. A method for operating an infusion pump (1) for operating in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: - detecting a shut-down command (11) by the infusion pump (1), wherein the shut-down command (11) signals a shutdown of the infusion pump (1) or a switch to a standby mode of the infusion pump (1); - in response to the detection of the shut-down command (11), transmitting a wake-up call (12) from the infusion pump (1) to a communication module (2) in the wireless communication network; - switching off the infusion pump (1) or switching to a standby mode (15) of the infusion pump (1) upon receiving a confirmation message (21) from the communication module (2) during a first timeout interval (13), wherein the confirmation message (21) signals to the infusion pump (1) that the communication module (2) has completed the data transmission (22) to the remote server of the wireless communication network; and - in case no confirmation message (21) is received from the communication module (2) during the first timeout interval (13), transmitting a timeout expiry message (17) to the communication module (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein After expiration of a second timeout interval (16) following transmission of the timeout expiration message (17), the infusion pump (1) is shut down or switched to a standby mode (15).

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The transmission of the wake-up call (12) to the communication module (2) is triggered only by the shutdown command (11).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The transmission of the wake-up call (12) comprises the transmission of an electrical signal (121), in particular a CTS signal, sent by the pump to the communication module.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The transmission of the wake-up call (12) includes the transmission of a status message (122), the status message (122) including information about the status of the infusion pump (1).

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The wake-up call (12) is repeated a defined number of times at defined intervals before the first timeout interval (13) begins.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Before the first timeout interval (13) starts, the wake-up call (12) is repeated three times at time intervals each having a minimum duration of 600 ms.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The infusion pump (1) receives a failure message from the communication module (2), wherein the failure message signals to the infusion pump (1) that the sending of the remaining data by the communication module (2) has failed, and wherein, after receipt of the failure message and before expiration of the first timeout interval (13), the infusion pump (1) is shut down or switched to standby.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein After receipt of the confirmation message (21), the infusion pump (1) transmits an acknowledgement message (14) to the communication module (2).

10. An infusion pump (1) for operating in a wireless communication network, the infusion pump (1) being configured to: - Detecting a shutdown command (11), wherein The shutdown command (11) signals the shutdown of the infusion pump (1) or the switching to a standby mode of the infusion pump (1); - in response to the detection of the shutdown command (11), transmitting a wake-up call (12) to the communication module (2) of the wireless communication network; - upon receiving a confirmation message (21) from the communication module (2) during a first timeout interval (13), switching off the infusion pump (1) or switching to a standby mode (15) of the infusion pump (1), wherein the confirmation message (21) signals to the infusion pump (1) that the communication module (2) has completed the data transmission; and - in case no confirmation message (21) is received from the communication module (2) during the first timeout interval (13), transmitting a timeout expiry message (17) to the communication module (2).

11. A method of operating a communication module (2) configured to operate in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: - receiving a wake-up call (12) from an infusion pump (1) in the wireless communication network; - in response to receipt of the wake-up call (12), initiating transmission of data to a remote server of the wireless communication network; - transmitting a confirmation message (21) to the infusion pump (1) when the transmission of the data is completed and no timeout expiration message (17) is received from the infusion pump (1) until the transmission of the data is completed.

12. A communication module (2) for operating in a wireless communication network, wherein: The communication module (2) is configured to: - receiving a wake-up call (12) from an infusion pump (1) in the wireless communication network; - in response to receipt of the wake-up call (12), initiating transmission of data to a remote server of the wireless communication network; - transmitting a confirmation message (21) to the infusion pump (1) when the transmission of the data is completed and no timeout expiration message (17) is received from the infusion pump (1) until the transmission of the data is completed.

13. The communication module (2) according to claim 12, wherein: The communication module (2) is a network node of the wireless communication network.

14. A system for operating in a wireless communication network, wherein: The system comprises an infusion pump (1) according to claim 10 and a communication module (2) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the infusion pump (1) is communicatively coupled to the communication module (2).

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein: The infusion pump (1) is coupled to the communication module (2) via a bus interface.

Images