Electrical medical device comprising an antenna

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a medical device (1) comprising a housing (3) including a front plate (13), and comprising a wireless communication unit (25) which is formed in the housing (3) and has at least one antenna (27). The housing (3) includes at least one EMC-proof housing portion and at least one EMC-permitting housing portion and the at least one antenna (27) of the wireless communication unit (25) is formed in the at least one EMC-permitting housing portion within the housing (3).

Description

[0001] Electrical medical device with an antenna

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an electrical medical device having an antenna for wireless communication.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] In the course of digitalization and due to ever-increasing demands for traceability and documentation in medicine, medical devices are being designed or connected to communication devices that receive and transmit data from the medical device. To enable such medical devices to be used flexibly and still be able to communicate and exchange data with other individual devices and device systems located in the same environment, as well as with hospital information systems and external IT systems (servers, clouds, and the like), the communication device can be designed as a wireless communication device.

[0007] EMC regulations (electromagnetic compatibility regulations) impose stringent requirements on medical electrical devices and equipment regarding emissions and immissions to ensure safe and reliable operation. For this purpose, medical electrical devices and equipment are designed with "radio-tight" or EMC-tight device housings. One example of such regulations is the standard EN 60601-1-2:2015 + A1:2021, which sets out EMC requirements for medical electrical devices.

[0008] State of the art

[0009] To still enable wireless communication, the prior art involves connecting the radio antennas of the communication device to the medical device from the outside. For example, in the prior art, the antennas are mounted in antenna connectors designed for the antennas in the device housing, or external communication devices are provided that are connected to the medical device via a cable.

[0010] A disadvantage of the current technology is that externally contactable antennas can be forgotten, especially during surgical preparation. Furthermore, such antennas can be damaged or broken if they protrude from the device housing during transport of the medical device. Another disadvantage is that externally contacted antennas create edges and joints that are difficult to clean, which can act as breeding grounds for germs and bacteria, thus endangering patient health and safety, especially in a surgical environment.

[0011] In principle, it would be possible to provide additional compartments on the outside of the housing to accommodate antennas. It would also be possible to extend the housing on one side to create an internal space for an antenna. While this would eliminate the aforementioned problems, it would increase the overall device dimensions. Furthermore, it would increase the manufacturing effort and thus increase production costs.

[0012] The object of the present disclosure is therefore to eliminate or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art. Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical medical device, in particular a desktop device, that complies with EMC regulations without the disadvantages of an externally contacted antenna and / or the problems resulting from increasing housing dimensions.

[0013] This object is achieved by an electrical medical device in the form of a tabletop device according to independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are part of the subclaims.

[0014] The basic idea of ​​the invention is essentially to identify a position within the housing of a medical electrical device in the form of a table-top device (e.g. infusion or syringe pump or similar devices) which

[0015] - is suitable for accommodating / installing one or more antennas in terms of its spatial conditions,

[0016] - has little or no shielding to the outside and

[0017] - can be shielded or is shielded internally from the rest of the housing space.

[0018] In other words, the inventive concept is to shield an area within the existing housing that is not or only slightly shielded from the outside, and to equip the thus inwardly shielded housing area with at least one antenna for data communication outside the housing. This at least one antenna can be wired to electronics within the housing, but outside this area and thus shielded from the at least one antenna.

[0019] As a result, it has been found that, for example, the housing front panel of such a medical device (apparatus) in the form of a desktop device usually has displays and / or control elements and therefore has little or no shielding effect, at least in these areas. Thus, a compartment separated from the rest of the housing space by a shield is predestined to accommodate at least one antenna directly behind such a housing front panel. Housing parts can also protrude beyond side or rear walls / rear panels and thus lie outside the housing's internal shielding. These protruding housing parts can then be used to accommodate at least one antenna.

[0020] Specifically, the problem is solved by a medical device or a medical appliance in the form of a tabletop device with a housing containing a front panel and / or a rear panel and a wireless communication unit which is formed or arranged in (within) the housing(s) and which has at least one antenna. The housing contains / comprising (spatially) at least one substantially EMC-tight housing section (in which the communication unit is arranged with the exception of the antenna) and at least one EMC-permeable housing section. The at least one antenna of the wireless communication unit is formed or arranged in the at least one EMC-permeable housing section within the housing.

[0021] A tabletop device is a medical device with a closed housing that is suitable for operation on a surface, such as a table, or inserted / installed in a rack or the like. The tabletop device can be, for example, a motor control unit, a pump, or the like, which can be operated individually or as a group in the rack.

[0022] In other words, the medical device in the form of a tabletop device includes the preferably cuboid-shaped housing, which has a front panel facing an operator and / or a rear panel facing away from the operator. The wireless communication unit and the at least one antenna connected to the wireless communication unit (as a functional component thereof) are formed or arranged in the housing. Furthermore, essential (electrical) components for the function of the medical device are formed or arranged in the housing. The housing contains (spatially encompasses) the at least one EMC-tight housing section, which is made, for example, of metal or metallized plastic components. In this case, EMC-tight means that electromagnetic waves, such as light or high-energy microwaves, cannot pass through the EMC-tight housing section.Metallized plastic components can be understood to mean both plastic parts that are coated with a metal layer and plastic parts that contain metal particles incorporated into the plastic. The components essential for the function of the medical device are preferably spatially enclosed by the at least one EMC-tight housing section. In addition to the at least one EMC-tight housing section, the housing spatially contains / encompasses at least one EMC-permeable housing section. EMC-permeable in this case means that electromagnetic waves, in particular radio waves, can pass through the EMC-permeable housing section. The radio waves can be Bluetooth, WLAN / radio network according to an IEEE 802.11 standard or any other type of radio wave that is designed to transmit data wirelessly.The antenna, which is connected to the wireless communication unit via a cable, is provided and configured to receive and / or transmit radio waves. The antenna is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the EMC-permeable housing section in an interior of the housing.

[0023] By designing the housing with at least one EMC-tight housing section, the components relevant for EMC can be reliably protected from electromagnetic radiation and thus from any impairment of their function by the electromagnetic radiation.

[0024] By forming / placing the at least one antenna inside the housing, the housing can be designed with a surface that is as flat as possible, and creases and edges in which dirt, germs, and bacteria can adhere and multiply can be avoided. Damage and / or forgetting of the antennas, for example, before the start of surgery, can also be prevented. Since the at least one antenna is formed in the at least one EMC-permeable housing section, reliable function of the wireless communication unit can be ensured.

[0025] The core of the invention is therefore to design the electrical medical device in the form of a table-top device with both the at least one EMC-permeable housing section and the at least one EMC-tight housing section, wherein the at least one antenna of the wireless communication unit is formed / placed in the at least one EMC-permeable housing section.

[0026] In a first aspect, the at least one antenna can be shielded in a direction toward a housing interior with a shielding plate.

[0027] In other words, the at least one antenna can be enclosed by the shielding plate and the EMC-permeable housing section, with the shielding plate shielding the at least one antenna from the housing interior. The shielding plate can be made of metal or metallized plastic components.

[0028] The shielding plate can prevent electromagnetic radiation from the environment surrounding the medical device from penetrating the interior of the housing through the at least one EMC-permeable housing section and the at least one antenna, thereby limiting or disrupting the functionality of the components essential to the function of the medical device and thus endangering patient safety. In addition, it can also prevent electromagnetic radiation emanating from the at least one antenna from penetrating the interior of the housing and limiting or disrupting the functionality of the components essential to the function of the medical device, thereby endangering patient safety.

[0029] In a further aspect, the at least one antenna and the wireless communication unit can be connected to one another by a cable guided through a hole in the shielding plate.

[0030] In other words, the shielding plate can have a cable feedthrough in the form of a hole. The diameter of the hole can essentially correspond to the cable diameter. Alternatively, the diameter of the hole can be slightly larger than the cable diameter. This design of the cable routing ensures that the cable routing does not cause any permeability in the EMC shielding. This reliably prevents the essential components of the medical device from being restricted or disrupted in their function.

[0031] In a further aspect, the at least one EMC-permeable housing section can be formed in a frame of the housing and the at least one antenna can preferably be formed in a frame recess of the frame.

[0032] In other words, the housing can have the frame formed on the (outer) edges of the housing. In particular, the frame can protrude from the housing. The frame can be formed entirely or partially from the EMC-permeable material and thus form the EMC-permeable housing section. Frame recesses can preferably be formed in the frame, which recesses are matched to a geometry of the antenna and are provided and designed to accommodate at least one antenna. The frame can also be formed exclusively in the frame recesses from the EMC-permeable housing section.

[0033] By forming the EMC-permeable housing section in the frame, the manufacturing effort for the housing can be reduced. Furthermore, this allows the at least one antenna to be arranged in a position favorable for transmitting and receiving radio waves. By providing a frame recess, the at least one antenna can be positively fixed in the frame or in the EMC-permeable housing section. This prevents slipping of the at least one antenna and ensures consistent reception and transmission power.

[0034] In a further aspect, the medical device in the form of a desktop device can include a display unit, preferably in the form of a screen, in the front panel, and the at least one antenna can be formed / arranged on an inner surface of the front panel facing the housing interior. In other words, the at least one antenna can be formed on a rear side of the front panel. Preferably, the at least one antenna can be formed on a rear side of the display unit.

[0035] When the medical device is used in the form of a tabletop unit in everyday hospital use, it is normally oriented with the front panel containing the display unit facing the center of the room so that a user can easily read content displayed on the display unit or, if the display unit is a touch-sensitive screen, so that the user can adjust settings on the medical device. If at least one antenna is formed on the front panel, it is ensured that the antenna is positioned as far as possible toward the center of the room, which improves the reception and transmission performance of the antenna and thus of the wireless communication unit.

[0036] In a further aspect, the front panel can be formed from glass, among other things, and the at least one antenna can be fixed to the front panel in a materially bonded manner.

[0037] In other words, the front panel, particularly in a region of the display unit and / or in a region in which the at least one antenna is fixed to the front panel, can be made of a glass material. The at least one antenna can preferably be bonded to the front panel over a large area.

[0038] Since glass is a material through which radio waves can pass, reception and transmission performance can be improved. By bonding the at least one antenna to the front panel, it can be ensured that the at least one antenna does not move away from a designated antenna position. In a further aspect, the at least one antenna can be formed in a front frame section of the frame, preferably in the frame recess, below the front panel.

[0039] In other words, the frame can form the front frame portion, which is arranged below the front panel. The at least one antenna can be formed in the front frame portion, which is arranged substantially at a level with a bottom of the medical device.

[0040] When using the medical device in the form of a tabletop unit, it is normally aligned with the front panel containing the display unit in a direction towards the center of the room so that the user can easily read content output via the display unit. If the at least one antenna is formed in the front frame below the front panel, it is ensured that the antenna is positioned as far as possible towards the center of the room, which improves the reception and transmission performance. In addition, with such an arrangement of the at least one antenna, it is ensured that the housing section made of the EMC-permeable material is arranged as far as possible from the components essential for the function of the medical device.

[0041] In a further aspect, the at least one antenna may be flat and aligned substantially normal to the front panel.

[0042] In other words, the at least one antenna can be oriented substantially parallel to the ground. Such an arrangement allows for the medical device to be as compact as possible.

[0043] In a further aspect, the at least one antenna can be formed in a rear frame section, preferably in the frame recess, which encloses a rear side of the housing opposite the front panel, and the rear frame section can be formed further away from the front panel than the rear side. In other words, the rear frame section can at least partially encompass the rear side of the housing and protrude from the rear side in a direction normal to the rear side, such that the rear frame section forms the section of the housing furthest away from the front panel. A frame recess for receiving the at least one antenna can optionally be formed in the rear frame section. The rear frame section can preferably form an LI shape that opens towards a cover plate of the medical device.

[0044] By forming the at least one antenna in the rear frame section protruding from the housing, the reception and transmission performance of the at least one antenna can be improved. In particular, this protrusion can prevent or at least reduce any impairment of the reception and transmission performance caused by the housing itself.

[0045] In a further aspect, the at least one antenna can be flat and aligned substantially parallel to the front panel.

[0046] In a further aspect, at least two antennas may be formed in the medical device, wherein the two antennas may be arranged oriented at an angle of 90° to each other.

[0047] Such an arrangement allows the radiation area covered by the two antennas to be maximized.

[0048] In a further aspect, the at least two antennas can be arranged on mutually different EMC-permeable housing sections. For example, the first antenna can be arranged below the front panel, and the second antenna can be arranged in the rear frame section protruding from the housing. In a further aspect, a plurality of antennas can be formed in the housing.

[0049] In a further aspect, the at least one EMC-permeable housing section of the housing can be smaller than the at least one EMC-tight housing section of the housing.

[0050] In a further aspect, a total of the EMC-permeable housing sections of the housing can be smaller than a total of the EMC-tight housing sections of the housing.

[0051] In a further aspect, the data transferred via the at least one antenna and the communication unit may be statistics, control programs, treatment protocols and the like.

[0052] In a further aspect, the at least one antenna may be a Wi-Fi antenna.

[0053] In a further aspect, the at least one antenna may be a Bluetooth antenna.

[0054] In a further aspect, the at least one antenna may be a mobile radio antenna.

[0055] In a further aspect, the frame may be made of plastic.

[0056] In a further aspect, the at least one antenna can be formed above the display unit on the front panel

[0057] In a further aspect, at least two antennas can be formed in the medical tabletop device. In a further aspect, the two antennas can be arranged oriented at an angle of 90° to each other.

[0058] In a further aspect, the at least two antennas can be arranged on mutually different, preferably spaced-apart, EMC-permeable housing sections.

[0059] In another aspect, the housing may include a base that forms a base for the tabletop medical device.

[0060] In another aspect, the housing may include a cover plate and the front plate may be disposed substantially between the cover plate and the base.

[0061] Short description of the characters

[0062] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tabletop medical device according to the present disclosure;

[0063] Fig. 2 is a first sectional view of the medical device according to a first embodiment;

[0064] Fig. 3 is a second sectional view of the medical device according to the first embodiment;

[0065] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the medical device according to a second embodiment without a cover plate;

[0066] Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the medical device according to a third embodiment; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the medical device according to the third embodiment without a cover plate and without a rear frame geometry.

[0067] Description of the embodiments

[0068] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the accompanying figures.

[0069] Fig. 1 shows an electrical medical device 1 in the form of a table-top device, here in the form of a motor control unit, for example for driving and controlling a medical drill, with a housing 3. The housing 3 essentially has a cuboid geometry and includes a cover plate 5 on an upper side, a base 7 on an underside, two side walls 9, a rear side 11 and a front plate 13. The side walls 9, the rear side 11 and the front plate 13 are essentially arranged between the cover plate 5 and the base 7. The front plate 13 contains connections 15, a function key 17 and a screen 19. Frame geometries 21 are formed on the edges of the housing 3. Edges are to be understood as transitions between the cover plate 5, the side walls 9, the rear side 11, the front plate 13 and the base 7. The base 7 forms a standing surface for the medical device 1.The side walls 9 and the back 11 are oriented essentially normal to the cover plate 5 and the base 7.

[0070] The housing 3 is essentially made of an EMC-tight material. A metal or a metallized plastic (TSG material) or the like can be used as the EMC-tight material. The frame geometries 21 are EMC-permeable in defined areas. This means that the frame geometries 21 are not metallized or not made of metal in the defined areas.

[0071] Fig. 2 shows the electrical medical device 1 in a first section along a vertical direction of the medical device 1 in a first embodiment. The vertical direction refers to a direction between the base 7 and the cover plate 5. The section is arranged parallel to the side walls 9.

[0072] The screen 19 is embedded in the front panel 13. The front panel 13 is angled for better readability of the screen 19. In other words, the front panel 13 is oriented at a (slight) angle to a normal of the cover plate 5 and the base 7.

[0073] Electrical components 23, which are essential for the function of the medical device 1, are formed in an interior space enclosed by the housing 3. The electrical components 23 are protected by the EMC-tight housing 3 of the medical device 1 from being influenced or disrupted by electromagnetic interference emanating from the environment surrounding the medical device. At the same time, the EMC-tight housing 3 simultaneously prevents the electrical components 23 from emitting electromagnetic interference to the environment.

[0074] The medical device 1 further includes a wireless communication module 25 (see Fig. 3 or Fig. 4). The wireless communication module 25 is provided and designed to wirelessly exchange / transfer data via antennas 27 between the medical device 1, in particular the electrical components 23 of the medical device 1, and individual devices, device systems, hospital information systems, and external IT systems (cloud, online connection to the device manufacturer, and the like) located in the vicinity of the medical device 1. The communication module 25 is connected to the antennas 27 via cables (not shown). In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the antennas 27 are formed below the screen 19 in the frame geometry 21. In other words, the antennas 27 in the first embodiment are formed in frame recesses substantially parallel to the base 7.The frame indentations are free spaces in the frame geometry 21. In a direction away from the interior of the medical device 1, the antennas 27 are delimited exclusively by the frame geometry 21, which is permeable to electromagnetic radiation, in particular radio waves, emitted by the antennas 27. In a direction toward the interior of the medical device 1, the antennas 27 are shielded by shielding plates 29. The shielding plates 29 ensure that EMC protection of the electrical components 23 is also guaranteed in areas in which the antennas 27 are formed.

[0075] Fig. 3 shows the electrical medical device 1 in a second section in a direction parallel to the base 7 in the first embodiment. The communication module 25 is screwed onto a main board 31 in the interior of the medical device 1, normal to the main board 31. The rear side 11 contains a power plug 33, which is connected to the main board 31 and supplies the electrical components 23 and the communication module 25 with electrical energy. The two antennas 27 of the first embodiment shown here are formed as far as possible from the interior of the medical device 1 in the frame geometry 21 of the front panel 13 below the screen 19. In this way, the largest possible radiation area can be ensured by the antennas 27. The two antennas 27 are glued to the frame geometry 21. In the embodiment shown in Fig.In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the antennas 27 are arranged substantially symmetrically to a center of the front panel 13.

[0076] Fig. 4 shows the electrical medical device 1 in a perspective view in a second embodiment, wherein the cover plate 5 has been removed for better illustration. The two antennas 27 are attached to a rear side of the front plate 13. The rear side of the front plate 13 refers to a surface of the front plate 13 that faces the interior of the medical device 1. The antennas 27 are attached to the rear side of the front plate 13 by adhesive. The front plate 13 is made of glass. The front plate 13 is thus permeable to the electromagnetic radiation, in particular to the radio waves that are received and emitted by the antennas 27. In the second embodiment, the antennas 27 are also shielded with shielding plates in a direction toward the interior of the medical device 1. The shielding plates are not shown in Fig. 4 for better illustration.The two antennas 27 are fixed at an angle of 90° to each other on the back of the front panel 13.

[0077] Fig. 5 shows the electrical medical device 1 in a section taken in the direction parallel to the side wall 9 in a third embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the section in a rear section of the medical device 1 near the rear side 11. The frame geometry 21 protrudes from the medical device 1 in a direction normal to the rear side 11. The frame geometry 21 frames the rear side 11 in an I-shape. The frame indentation is formed in the frame geometry 21 and accommodates the antenna 27 between the frame geometry 21, which is permeable to the electromagnetic radiation, in particular to the radio waves of the antenna 27, and the shielding plate 29, which is impermeable to the electromagnetic radiation, in particular to the radio waves of the antenna 27. The antenna is positioned exposed with respect to the rear side 11.

[0078] Fig. 6 shows the electrical medical device 1 in the third embodiment in a state in which the frame geometry 21 and the cover plate 5 have been removed. The antenna 27 is aligned substantially parallel to the base 7. The antenna 27 is glued to the shielding plate 29. More precisely, the antenna 27 is glued to the shielding plate 29 on a side of the shielding plate 29 facing away from the interior of the medical device 1. The shielding plate 29 includes cable bushings 35 through which the cable connecting the antenna 27 to the communication unit 25 is guided without reducing the EMC protection of the electrical components 23 arranged in the interior of the medical device 1.

[0079] In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the antenna can be formed in the frame geometry between the side wall and the cover plate. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the antenna can be formed above the screen in the front panel.

[0080] The embodiments described here can be combined with each other in any combination.

[0081] List of reference symbols

[0082] I (electrical) medical device / tabletop medical device

[0083] 3 housings

[0084] 5 Cover plate

[0085] 7 Floor

[0086] 9 Side wall

[0087] II Back

[0088] 13 Front panel

[0089] 15 Connection

[0090] 17 Function key

[0091] 19 screen

[0092] 21 Frame geometry

[0093] 23 electrical component

[0094] 25 Communication module

[0095] 27 Antenna

[0096] 29 Shielding plate

[0097] 31 Motherboard

[0098] 33 power plugs

[0099] 35 Cable entry

Claims

Claims 1. Medical table device (1) with a housing (3) including a front panel (13), and a wireless communication unit (25) which is formed in the housing (3) with at least one antenna (27) characterized in that the housing (3) includes at least one EMC-tight housing section and at least one EMC-permeable housing section and the at least one antenna (27) of the wireless communication unit (25) is formed in the at least one EMC-permeable housing section inside the housing (3).

2. Medical table device (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one antenna (27) is shielded in one direction towards an interior of the housing by a shielding plate (29).

3. Medical table device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one antenna (27) and the wireless communication unit (25) are connected to each other by a cable guided through a bore (35) in the shielding plate (29).

4. Medical table device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one EMC-permeable housing section is formed in a frame (21) of the housing (3) and the at least one antenna (27) is preferably formed in a frame recess.

5. Medical table device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the medical table device (1) includes in the front panel (13) an operating or display unit (19), preferably in the form of a screen and / or buttons, and that at least one antenna (27) is formed on an inner surface of the front panel (13) facing the interior of the housing.

6. Medical table device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the front panel (13) is made of glass and the at least one antenna (27) is fixed to the front panel (13) in a material-bonded manner.

7. Medical table device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one antenna (27) is formed in a front frame section of the frame (21), preferably in the frame recess, below the front panel (13).

8. Medical table device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one antenna (27) is designed as a flat surface and is oriented substantially normal to the front plate (13).

9. Medical table device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one antenna (27) is formed in a rear frame section, preferably in the frame recess which encloses a rear side (11) of the housing (3) opposite the front panel (13) and the rear frame section is formed further away from the front panel (13) than the rear side (11).

10. Medical table device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 or 9, characterized in that the at least one antenna (27) is designed as a planar element and is oriented substantially parallel to the front panel.

11. Medical table device (1) according to one of claims 4, 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the frame (21) is made of plastic.

12. Medical table device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 characterized in that the at least one antenna (27) is formed above the display unit (19) on the front panel (13).

13. Medical tabletop device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least two antennas (27) are formed in the medical tabletop device (1).

14. Medical table device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the two antennas (27) are arranged at an angle of 90° to each other.

15. Medical table device (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the at least two antennas (27) are arranged on different EMC-transmitting housing sections.

16. Medical table device (1) according to claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the housing (3) includes a base (7) which forms a standing surface of the medical table device (1).

17. Medical table device (1 ) according to claim 16, characterized in that the housing includes a cover plate (5) and the front plate (13) is arranged substantially between the cover plate (5) and the base (7).

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