Signalling device for medical devices and procedures

Abstract

The invention relates to signalling devices, in particular for medical devices. The invention also relates to a signalling device and to a procedure wherein the intensity with which a message is issued depends on an effort parameter and the distance of a person from the device issuing the message.

Description

[0001] Reporting device for medical devices and procedures

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention is in the field of reporting devices for monitored devices, in particular for medical devices, and methods for operating such reporting devices.

[0004] background

[0005] The present invention can be used for any monitored device that issues messages to users of the device that result in an action corresponding to the respective message on the device itself or in connection with the operation of the device. The present invention is particularly suitable for use in medical devices.

[0006] Medical devices are usually equipped with a variety of monitoring devices that ensure the device is operating properly and, if necessary, also monitor the treatment being performed on a patient using the device. In addition to treating a patient, medical devices can be used to monitor a patient, or for both. A dialysis machine, for example, performs therapy on a patient and is often set up to record and monitor device parameters, therapy parameters, and patient parameters. If one of the monitoring devices mentioned above detects that the device is not operating properly, or if the therapy or patient parameters, which are usually determined using sensors, violate specified limits, an alarm signal is often issued to alert medical personnel or the patient to an abnormal condition.This abnormal condition should be remedied as quickly as possible by operator intervention by medical personnel or the patient themselves, so that the proper operation of the dialysis machine or the proper treatment of a patient with the dialysis machine (as prescribed by the physician) is restored.

[0007] However, it is often necessary to issue messages when the medical device is operating properly, messages that should be perceived with a high probability by medical staff or the patient being treated. Such messages can, for example, relate to the imminent end of a treatment that requires further actions on the medical device or on or by the patient being treated. For example, if a dialysis treatment is planned for four hours on a dialysis machine and the dialysis machine is programmed accordingly, the dialysis machine can inform the patient of this a certain time before the end of the treatment by issuing a corresponding message. This allows all steps necessary to complete the treatment to be prepared, thus avoiding unnecessary waiting times.In hemodialysis, such steps include, among other steps, the disconnection of the vascular connections from the patient to the extracorporeal blood circuit of the dialysis treatment and the subsequent wound care of the puncture sites.

[0008] Messages or notification signals within the meaning of the provisional invention include the aforementioned alarm signals and the aforementioned output of other messages. Such messages or notification signals are often acoustic signals to reliably inform responsible personnel or the patient without requiring a line of sight to the device. However, notification signals can also be optical or haptic in nature.

[0009] To ensure that the alarm signals can be perceived by people at a distance, they are often emitted at a correspondingly high intensity. This intensity is often perceived as too high when a person is close to the device.

[0010] Healthcare facilities such as hospitals or doctor's offices often operate a variety of medical devices, often monitoring and / or treating multiple patients simultaneously. This often results in a multitude of alarm signals being issued simultaneously. This can make it impossible to reliably differentiate between the individual alarm signals and can also lead to overload and confusion among medical staff. The simultaneous output of a multitude of alarm signals can also be perceived as stressful and unpleasant, especially when the messages are issued as acoustic signals.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention is based on the object of designing the output of messages for medical devices in such a way that the aforementioned limitations are overcome. This is achieved according to the invention with a reporting device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 15.

[0013] Accordingly, according to claim 1, a reporting device 100 is proposed, comprising a first detection device 101 for detecting different activation states, an assignment unit 102, in which at least one message and an effort parameter are assigned to each individual activation state, which is characteristic of a processing time and / or of a typical processing complexity of the activation state, a second detection device 103 for detecting or determining the distance 401 of at least one person 400 to the device 200, wherein the reporting device 100 is configured such that when a first activation state is detected, the message assigned to the detected first activation state is output with an intensity that is dependent on a first effort parameter that is assigned to the detected first activation state and on the detected distance of the at least one person 400,or which depends on a second effort parameter associated with a previously detected second activation state and on the detected distance of the at least one person 400.,

[0014] Furthermore, a method according to claim 15 is proposed, which comprises the steps of detecting 301 different activation states of a device 200, assigning 302 to the individual activation states at least one message and an effort parameter that is characteristic of a processing time and / or a typical processing complexity of the activation state, detecting or determining 303 the distance 401 of at least one person 400 to the device 200, outputting 304 a message that is assigned to a first detected activation state, with an intensity that is dependent on a first effort parameter that is assigned to the detected first activation state and on the detected distance of the at least one person 400, or that is dependent on a second effort parameter that is assigned to a previously detected second activation state and on the detected distance of the at least one person 400.

[0015] The subclaims relate to preferred embodiments.

[0016] According to the invention, the first activation state is assigned to a current message that is currently being output and the second activation state is assigned to a message that was output before the current message.

[0017] Brief description of the drawings

[0018] The

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a signaling device according to the invention, and

[0020] Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention.

[0021] Detailed description of an embodiment

[0022] The present invention is based on the finding that the intensity of a message output by a device to be operated, in particular by a medical device, can be advantageously varied depending on the situation in such a way that the stress, in particular the acoustic stress, on the people dealing with the device is reduced without compromising operating safety. The invention makes use of the finding that the output intensity of such a message can advantageously be set such that it depends on the processing time and / or on a typical processing complexity for actions resulting from the output message or a previously output message, on the one hand, and on the distance of the person to whom the message is addressed from the device, on the other.

[0023] In one aspect of the present invention, a self-learning system is provided in which the above-mentioned parameters are dynamically adjusted based on system observations.

[0024] The invention will be described below using specific exemplary embodiments. In general, all devices or device components described below can be implemented as hardware or software, unless otherwise stated. Device components with a specific reference symbol do not necessarily form a structurally distinct unit. The devices and device components described below are characterized by their function. The specific implementations of the devices and device components play only a minor role in the invention. Thus, different devices and device components can be formed by the same entity.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the reporting device 100 according to the invention. The reporting device 100 serves to detect different activation states of a device 200, which is shown in Figure 1 with a dashed border and can contain a plurality of components 201, 202, and 203. The components 201, 202, and 203 represent any number of any hardware or software components of the device 200. The state of each component 201, 202, 203 can be monitored by the reporting device 100. For this purpose, the reporting device comprises a first detection device 101. For this purpose, the first detection device 101 can comprise different sensors for determining parameters of the components, or can be configured to read out sensor data from the device 200 that detect the state of the components 201, 202, 203, for example via appropriately configured data interfaces.According to the invention, sensors are understood to mean, for example, sensors for determining physical or chemical quantities, as well as software or circuits for determining the state of the software that controls the device 200.

[0026] For example, a component 201, 202, or 203 can comprise software that registers operator inputs from a user of the device 200 and, depending on these inputs, controls at least parts of the device 200. The state of a software is often characterized by specific memory contents of data storage elements accessed by the software. Depending on the operator input, such software can assume a state that, according to the programming, results in a specific message from the signaling device. According to the invention, such a state is an activation state, since it activates the output of a message associated with the state.

[0027] A component 201, 202, or 203 can also be a hardware component. For example, an actuator or a sensor of the device 200 or another device interacting with the device 200. In the case of a dialysis machine, a component 201, 202, or 203 can be, for example, a blood or dialysate pump, a pressure sensor for detecting blood pressures or other liquid or gas pressures, a conductivity sensor, an optical sensor, a tubing set, or a dialysis filter. It is essential that the component is monitored for a specific state that results in a specific message from the reporting device. According to the invention, such a state is also an activation state, since it activates the output of a message associated with the state.

[0028] For example, the blood pressure of the extracorporeal blood circuit in a dialysis machine can be monitored by a sensor. Its output signal can assume a state that triggers a message.

[0029] A message within the meaning of the invention can be an acoustic, optical or haptic

[0030] A signal, and in particular an alarm signal, can be emitted with a specific intensity. A message within the meaning of the invention can also be a text message displayed on a screen or an acoustic message emitted via a loudspeaker, which is emitted with a specific intensity.

[0031] The intensity of acoustic signals, messages and text messages refers in particular to their volume.

[0032] The intensity of haptic signals and messages refers in particular to the amplitude of the associated movement of the actuator that generates the haptic signal, for example the amplitude of a vibration signal.

[0033] The intensity of displayed text signals can be understood as a font size, with larger font sizes representing higher intensity within the meaning of the present invention. The font form or color, as well as the type of presentation (flashing font, underlined font, background font, bold font, font brightness on screens, etc.) can also be understood as intensity. The intensity of displayed and spoken text signals can also be understood as their content. For example, a particularly high intensity can be conveyed by characteristic words such as "attention," "urgent," or "important." Such characteristic words are "signal words" within the meaning of the present invention.

[0034] The intensity of optical signals refers, in particular, to their luminosity. The color and appearance (blinking frequency, rising or falling luminosity) can also be a measure of the intensity of optical signals within the meaning of the invention.

[0035] The messages assigned to the individual components depending on their activation state are each assigned at least one message and one effort parameter in the assignment unit 102, which is characteristic of a processing time and / or a typical processing complexity of the respective activation state. A processing time is understood to be a time that must generally be spent by a user of the device to carry out a specific action relating to the message, and a typical processing complexity is understood according to the invention to be a parameter that characterizes the effort of the action relating to the message. The effort parameter can be expressed by numbers or symbols that enable a comparison of different times and efforts.

[0036] For example, a specific alarm message that typically requires 10 seconds to process can be assigned an effort parameter of 2 (or B).

[0037] For example, another alarm message that requires a longer processing time and / or entails a higher effort can be assigned an effort parameter of 4 (or D).

[0038] The effort parameter can, for example, characterize whether a message issued by the device only needs to be confirmed by operator input, or whether the message entails actions by the person to whom the message is addressed. For example, a dialysis machine can issue a message some time before the end of treatment informing the person that treatment is about to end. This is a message that requires little or no further action on the device itself by the medical professional to whom this message is addressed, because the treatment continues as planned. After receiving the message, the medical professional can, for example, check the status of the treatment and the patient, which requires them to go to the dialysis machine. The corresponding message can then simply be confirmed by operator input, whereby the message is processed.

[0039] A message that requires action from the recipient is, for example, an alarm message or, in the case of a dialysis machine, a message that treatment has ended. In both cases, the user of the device typically has to perform actions on the device. In the event of an alarm, the cause of the alarm must be identified and remedied. For the example of the termination of dialysis treatment, the medical professional must perform extensive actions on the dialysis machine and the patient.

[0040] The above-mentioned assignment takes place in the assignment unit 102 or is stored there.

[0041] The second detection unit 103 is configured to detect or determine the distance 401 of at least one person 400 from the device 200. Such a detection unit 103 can, for example, comprise a camera that can determine the distance of objects or people using known image or video analysis methods. Other known distance sensors from the prior art, such as ultrasonic sensors, light barriers, capacitive or inductive proximity sensors, radar sensors, etc., are also possible.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, the second detection unit 103 or the reporting device 100 is configured to indirectly determine the distance of at least a first person 400 from the device 200 by inferring the presence of a person in the vicinity or directly at the device 200 from a state of the device 200. For example, operator inputs into a user interface, e.g., a graphical user interface, can be monitored. Once an operator input has been detected, the detection device infers for a specified time interval that a person is currently in the vicinity of the device. However, a status of a program sequence, which generally requires the presence of a person at the device, can also be used. This is particularly the case when preparing the device 200 for its proper operation.For example, it is likely that a person will be close to the device 200 when the device is being prepared or equipped for its function. This is the case, for example, with a dialysis machine during the upgrading with disposable medical items such as tubing sets or the dialysis filter, as well as during the filling of the fluid-carrying tubing components (blood tubing and dialysate tubing). Such upgrading processes are often accompanied by corresponding displays on a screen. Furthermore, sensors on the device can also detect the upgrading process or the normal operating process. These sensor signals can also be used according to the invention to detect the proximity or distance of a person to the device 200.

[0043] In one embodiment of the invention, a current first message is output with an intensity that is proportional to the first effort parameter assigned to the current message and proportional to the detected distance of the person 400 to the device 200. This means that the intensity is higher the further away the person 400 is from the device and the higher the effort parameter, and the lower the intensity the closer the person 400 is to the device and the lower the effort parameter. According to the invention, the absolute intensity of the output message can depend on further parameters. This ensures that the intensity of the output messages is not unnecessarily high and that the operator can nevertheless draw conclusions about the urgency and the workload resulting from an output message based on the perceived intensity differences.

[0044] According to the invention, the distance of at least a first person 400 from the device 200 can also be determined indirectly by evaluating the effort parameter of a previously issued message. If, for example, a previously issued second message has a low associated effort parameter, the second detection unit 103 or the reporting device 100 can be configured to conclude that the person to whom the message is addressed is not in spatial proximity to the device. Typically, messages with low associated effort parameters are processed quickly by the person 400 to whom they are addressed, and the person then moves away from the device 200. Conversely, it is likely that a person will be in spatial proximity to the device for a longer period of time if a message with a high effort parameter is issued.Accordingly, it can be concluded that if a further first message is issued within a certain time period linked to the effort parameter of the second issued message (for example, the processing time for which the effort parameter is characteristic), the person 400 to whom the message is addressed is in spatial proximity to the device 200. The indirect determination of the distance of the person 400 to the device 200 when issuing a first message using the information about the effort parameter of a previously issued second message takes place taking into account the time period between the issuance of the first and the second message.

[0045] In one embodiment of the invention, a first message is output with a high intensity if a second message was previously output, which is assigned a low effort parameter, and with a low intensity if a second message was previously output, which is assigned a high effort parameter. Low intensity and high intensity are to be understood as relative to one another. According to the invention, the absolute intensity of the output message can depend on further parameters and settings.

[0046] In the case of a dialysis machine as an embodiment of a device 200, for example, a message that is output with a high intensity after a predetermined period of time following a purely informative message that the operator only has to confirm, i.e. a message with a low associated effort parameter, can be output with a high intensity, because in this case it is concluded that the operator is no longer in spatial proximity to the dialysis machine.

[0047] A message that is issued after a predetermined period of time following a message with a high effort parameter, such as a pressure alarm in the extracorporeal blood circuit, is issued with a low or lower intensity, as it is assumed that the operator is currently still busy resolving the alarm and is in close proximity to the dialysis machine. Accordingly, the operator should not be stressed or confused by a new high-intensity message.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the invention, the identity of the at least one person 400 is additionally detected. Messages within the meaning of the invention can be addressed to specific persons. For example, messages from dialysis machines are addressed to medical professionals in general and, if applicable, to specific individuals. The second detection device 103 or the device 100 can be configured to determine the identity of the at least one detected person. This can be done, for example, using known person recognition software (facial recognition) and a camera as a sensor. It is also conceivable to evaluate additional devices for identifying persons that uniquely identify the person.Such devices can include, for example, graphic symbols (barcodes, QR codes) and markings on clothing worn by the person, or electromagnetic signals from devices associated with the person, such as RF-ID tags or Bluetooth signals from mobile devices worn by the person, which, in one embodiment, allow the person to authenticate themselves, for example, by entering a PIN or fingerprint. In general, any known technology for personal recognition is available to those skilled in the art.

[0049] According to the invention, the distances 401 of several persons 200 from the device 200 can also be determined. In this case, the detected identities of the persons 200 can be used to control the intensity of the first message output. If, for example, two persons are detected in spatial proximity to the device 200, but only one person is identified in the manner described above, e.g., as medical personnel, only the distance 401 of the person identified as medical personnel is relevant. If, for example, two persons are detected in spatial proximity to the device 200, and both persons are identified in the manner described above, e.g., as medical personnel, the distance 401 of a specific detected person 200 can be relevant if the message is characterized as being intended for this specific detected person 200.In one embodiment, the distances 401 of the detected persons 200 can also be exclusively or alternatively decisive, for example only the closest distance 401 or only the furthest distance 401 to the device 200. A control unit 104, as an exemplary embodiment of a suitable device, has data access to the above-mentionedrecorded and stored data. Here, the control device 104 is configured to control a signaling device 105, shown in Figure 1 as a loudspeaker by way of example, such that when a first activation state is recorded by the first recording device 101, the message assigned to the recorded first activation state in the assignment unit 102 is output via the signaling device 105 with an intensity that is dependent on the effort parameter assigned to the recorded first activation state and on the recorded distance of the at least one person 400 from the device 200, or that is dependent on the effort parameter assigned to a previously recorded second activation state and on the recorded distance of the at least one person 400 from the device 200.

[0050] In one embodiment, messages are delivered with lower intensity the closer the person 400 to whom the message is directed is to the device 200 and the lower the effort parameter associated with the message.

[0051] In principle, the dependence of the intensity of an output message on the distance of the person 400 to the device 200 and the effort parameter of the output message or the effort parameter of a previously output message can be configured as desired and depends on the particular circumstances of the operation of the device 200.

[0052] The processing times and effort parameters assigned to the individual messages to be output for the respective activation states can be derived empirically from field observations. For example, if, in a hemodialysis machine as an exemplary embodiment of device 200, the first detection device 101 detects a pressure increase in the arterial blood line located upstream of the dialysis filter, this represents an alarm condition, which is an activation state within the meaning of the invention. A comparatively high effort parameter is assigned to this activation state in the allocation unit 102, since such an activation state generally entails extensive activities by the person to whom the output message is addressed, such as stopping treatment, checking the extracorporeal blood circulation, replacing the dialysis filter if necessary, etc.

[0053] If, however, the first detection device 101 detects an activation state due to a treatment that will end in some time, a comparatively low effort parameter is assigned in the allocation unit 102, since such an activation state does not entail extensive activities by the person to whom the output message is addressed.

[0054] In one embodiment, person-dependent effort parameters can be assigned to the individual activation states in the allocation unit. This is based on the fact that different people handle messages within the meaning of the invention to varying degrees due to their experience or their knowledge and skills. Thus, a person A can process a message more quickly due to a certain activation state than a person B with less experience or knowledge. For this purpose, it is essential to also record the identity of at least one person 400 recorded by the recording unit 103.

[0055] In a further embodiment, the set intensity of the output message is additionally dependent on the identity of the at least one person 400 detected by the detection unit 103. For example, people with poor hearing can be addressed with louder alarm tones than people with normal hearing. In a further embodiment, the set intensity of the output message is additionally dependent on a detected ambient noise level. In a noisy environment, it can be ensured that output messages are not masked by background noise. The noise level can be detected by any acoustic sensors, which do not have to be part of the detection device 100 or the device 200. What is crucial is that the information about the ambient noise level is made available to the detection device, for example via an appropriately designed interface.

[0056] In a further embodiment, the individual effort parameters can be adjusted based on recorded actions of individuals. For example, if it turns out that certain messages are always processed faster than assigned to the respective activation states in the allocation unit 103, then provision can be made to adjust the effort parameters accordingly. This can be done for a specific individual if their performance is above average, or generally without specific reference to a specific individual if a general reassessment of the effort parameter(s) is advisable based on the recorded actions of many individuals.

[0057] In a further embodiment, the reporting device 100 is configured to monitor whether, in response to an issued message, an action is taken on the device that is characteristic of the issued message. If this action is not taken or is not taken within a certain time period, the message is repeatedly issued in chronological order with increasing intensity. This can convey a measure of urgency for resolving or addressing the cause of the message.

[0058] The intensity of an output message can be determined based on mathematical calculations using the aforementioned recorded data. However, it can also be stored in a data memory in such a way that a specific intensity is saved for a specific combination of the aforementioned recorded or stored data. In principle, an intensity control can be provided that influences the intensity of all output messages, e.g., a general volume control for acoustic messages.

[0059] Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0060] In general, the method can be applied to any device that outputs messages to a user based on detected activation states, or is configured to do so, particularly for medical devices. The devices required to execute the individual steps can include the same devices as described in Figure 1.

[0061] In step 301, an activation state of a device is detected as described in Figure 1.

[0062] Step 302 comprises assigning at least one message and at least one effort parameter to the activation state, which is characteristic of a processing time and / or of a typical processing complexity of the activation state.

[0063] Step 302 typically occurs before the device is operated and is usually performed for multiple activation states. In one embodiment of the invention, the assignment changes as described above based on observing the device user's reaction to the output message.

[0064] In step 303, the distance 401 or the distance of at least one person 400 from the device 200 is detected or determined. The means or manner by which the distance is determined is irrelevant. In step 304, a message associated with the detected activation state is output with an intensity that depends on the effort parameter associated with the detected activation state and on the detected distance 401 of the at least one person 200, or that depends on a second effort parameter associated with a previously detected second activation state and on the detected distance of the at least one person 400.

[0065] In one embodiment, the effort parameter and / or the intensity of the message output in the manner described above is additionally dependent on the identity of the at least one person.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Reporting device (100), comprising a first detection device (101) for detecting different Activation states of a device (200), an allocation unit (102) in which at least one message and at least one effort parameter, characteristic of a processing time and / or of a typical processing complexity of the respective activation state, are assigned to each individual activation state, a second acquisition device (103) for acquiring or determining the distance (401) at least: a person (400) to the device (200), wherein the reporting device (100) is arranged such that when a first When the activation state is detected, the message associated with the detected first activation state is output with an intensity that depends on a first effort parameter that corresponds to the detected first activation state. is assigned to the activation state, and to the detected distance of at least one person (400), or which is dependent on a second Effort parameter that is assigned to a previously recorded second activation state, and- from the recorded distance of at least one person (400).

2. Signaling device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the signal is an acoustic, optical or haptic signal and in particular an alarm signal.

3. Signaling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the A message is a text message that is displayed or output audibly.

4. Signaling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Intensity of the message output, volume, brightness, the This concerns the form of appearance, the font, the font color, or the way in which the message is displayed. Reporting device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the intensity of the output The message is varied by signal words in the text message.

6. Reporting device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a device for determining the personal identity of at least one Person (400), wherein the intensity of the issued message or at least one effort parameter additionally depends on the specific person's identity. Person (400) is influenced.

7. Reporting device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the device for determining the identity of the at least one person (400) is a camera or a Device for receiving electromagnetic waves included.

8. Signaling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising Recording equipment for recording actions of at least one person (400), wherein at least one effort parameter depends on the recorded actions of the at least one person (400).

9. Signaling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Intensity of the issued message: additionally depends on a detected Ambient noise level of the device:

200.

10. Signaling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the The signaling device (100) is configured to monitor whether, in response to a signal issued, an action is performed on the device (200) that is characteristic of the signal issued, and in the event that If the action is not taken or not taken within a predetermined time period, the message will be issued with a higher intensity.

11. Reporting device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second detection device (103) comprises a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a light barrier, a capacitive or inductive proximity sensor, or a Includes radar sensor.

12. Reporting device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second detection device (103) is configured to evaluate The device (200) uses operator input to infer whether the person (400) is in The device is located within operator reach.

13. Reporting device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second detection device (103) is configured to determine the status of a to infer from the program sequence that controls the device (200) whether the person (400) is within operator reach in front of the device.

14. Medical device, in particular dialysis machine comprising a Signaling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Procedure for issuing a message, comprising the following steps: Detecting (301) different activation states of a device (200), Assign (302) to the individual activation states of at least one message and an effort parameter that is characteristic of a Processing time and / or for a typical processing complexity of the respective activation state, Determining or measuring (303) the distance of at least one person (400) to the device (200), Output (304) of a message associated with a detected first activation state, with an intensity that depends on a first effort parameter associated with the detected first activation state and on the detected distance of the at least one person (400), or that depends on a second effort parameter associated with a previously detected second activation state and on the detected distance of the at least one person (400).

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