Device and method for the interactive release of an operating mode

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for the automated, dynamic release of an operating mode of a system. The device comprises a user interface and a control unit, which is programmed to automatically determine, with respect to each of a plurality of parameters which, on the basis of an input made by means of the user interface, are ascertained as being required for an operating mode to be released, the latest available measured value from a database, to compare each determined measured value with a set point value and / or with a tolerance range surrounding said set point value, and to output, for each determined measured value, an indication of the comparison result and the criticality of said comparison result, preferably directly adjacent to the measured value, by means of the user interface. The output by means of the user interface is in the form of an overview of the parameters ascertained as being required, the overview allowing a user to release, in a centralized way, the operating mode to be released, in view of the plurality of parameters ascertained as being required, or to reject the release.

Description

[0001] Device and method for interactively enabling an operating mode

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a device and a method for interactively enabling an operating mode of a system or at least one component thereof, in particular in the field of medical technology and / or water technology in a medical context, for example for producing dialysis water, ultrapure water, etc.

[0004] In hospitals, before operating treatment devices, such as dialysis units, it is necessary to ensure patient safety that the water produced for this purpose meets the required quality standards. For this purpose, the water technology used, such as a water treatment plant, must function perfectly. Therefore, before operating treatment devices, the associated water technology and / or water quality must always be tested and approved, for example, before they can be used to provide dialysis water. The testing and approval of the water technology plant and / or the water supplied by the water technology plant should take place as soon as possible before the intended use in order to minimize the risk of recurring errors.

[0005] In larger hospitals, such testing and approval is traditionally not possible. The inspection of the water technology system is usually done manually, which means that the inspectors sometimes have to travel long distances to inspect the water technology system components, such as a reverse osmosis system, a chlorine sensor, or a filtration unit, which are sometimes located in various rooms within a hospital, or to read the corresponding sensors.

[0006] In practice, this conventional approach results in significant delays, which can lead to, for example, the first measured value being determined being out of date. This puts patient safety at risk.

[0007] In addition, valuable time is traditionally lost even in the event of a detected malfunction, as the user must first independently identify and then contact the responsible contact person, for example a treating physician or a service technician.

[0008] Until the final release is given, for example because the attending physician considers a recorded deviation in the water temperature to be non-critical, further sources of error may have arisen.

[0009] Furthermore, the delays make it more difficult to plan the already hectic daily routine of the clinic, as decisions can only be made very late as to whether a planned treatment needs to be carried out, changed, postponed or cancelled altogether.

[0010] Against this background, the objective is to mitigate or even completely eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the present invention is based on the objective of increasing patient safety and the user-friendliness of the approval process.

[0011] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0012] Accordingly, a device for interactively enabling an operating mode of a system, in particular a water technology system, or at least one component thereof, is provided, wherein the device has a user interface and a control unit which is programmed to automatically determine the most up-to-date available measured value from a database with regard to a number of parameters recorded as required for an operating mode to be enabled based on an input made via the user interface, to compare the determined measured value with a target value and / or a tolerance range surrounding it, and to output, by means of the user interface, for each determined measured value, preferably immediately adjacent to the measured value, an indication of the comparison result and / or its criticality,wherein the output is provided by means of the user interface in the form of an overview of the parameters recorded as required, which enables a user to centrally release the operating mode to be released with regard to the number of parameters recorded as required or to reject the release.

[0013] The number of parameters can include one or more parameters. The parameters can reflect water quality and / or the condition of the system or at least one component thereof.

[0014] Parameters required to enable the operating mode of the water treatment system can be parameters relating to water quality and / or the condition and / or status of the water treatment system. Water quality parameters can be parameters of the incoming water, the supplied pure water or supplied dialysis water and / or parameters that occur in the system between the inlet and outlet stages. The latter can, for example, be parameters related to what is known as water pretreatment. Water pretreatment usually comprises at least a physical filter, an activated carbon filter, and a softening stage. A parameter can be measured at or between the filter stages. One parameter that changes significantly beyond the activated carbon filter stage, for example, is the chlorine content as a water quality parameter, because an activated carbon filter removes chlorine from water flowing through it.For example, a useful measurement might be the chlorine content after the water has flowed through the activated carbon filter. Water quality parameters can also be understood as general water properties, such as water temperature.

[0015] Preferably, the term "interactive release" is to be understood as meaning that a device according to the invention, in interaction with a user, performs an operation of a device, for example, an operation of a water technology system for producing dialysis water. For example, the release process is carried out jointly by the device and one or more human users and / or contact persons, with the device supporting the human users and / or contact persons during the release process and / or guiding them through the release process.

[0016] For example, in a device according to the invention, a user inputs that operation of a water technology system for producing dialysis water should be authorized.

[0017] Based on this input, the device preferably automatically records which parameters are to be considered during release and are therefore required. For example, a database may contain information that when releasing a water technology system for producing dialysis water, it is necessary to check the temperature of the water produced and its chlorine content. Instead of the phrase "required parameters", the phrase "relevant or critical parameters" can also be selected. The parameters stored in the database as required can be based on user input or, for example, have been recorded on the basis of regulatory provisions currently applicable at a specific location.

[0018] For example, the user may have specified in the database that, when authorizing a water technology system for producing dialysis water, the parameters required for authorizing this operating mode are the temperature of the produced water and its chlorine content. Furthermore, the user may have specified in the database that, when authorizing a water technology system for producing pure water, the parameters required for authorizing this operating mode are the hardness of the produced water and its chlorine content.

[0019] These examples are not intended to be limiting, but merely to illustrate that the parameters stored in the database as required for release can be set by a user.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that, after the user has entered that operation of a water technology plant for the production of dialysis water is to be approved, the device automatically accesses the regulatory provisions currently applicable at a location of the water technology plant and automatically extracts the parameters required for approval from these.

[0021] For example, due to the legal regulations in force in country X at a time X, it may be a requirement that when a water treatment plant is released to produce dialysis water, the parameters required for approval of this operating mode are the temperature of the water produced and its chlorine content. In this example, the device therefore records or extracts the temperature and chlorine content parameters required for approval. However, in country Y at the same time X, it may be a requirement that when a water treatment plant is released to produce dialysis water, the parameters required for approval of this operating mode are the hardness of the water produced and its chlorine content. In this example, the device therefore records or extracts the hardness and chlorine content parameters required for approval.

[0022] These examples are not intended to be limiting, but merely to illustrate how parameters can be recorded as required for release.

[0023] In principle, only one parameter may be required for a release, but several parameters may also be required for a release.

[0024] For each parameter required for release, a device according to the invention preferably determines the most recent measured value, for example the most recent available measured value of the water temperature or the water hardness.

[0025] By automatically determining the most recent available measured value for each recorded parameter by the device, for example by using a database, it is possible to eliminate the need for the user to manually read the measured values ​​at different locations and manually enter them into the device, usually on foot.

[0026] Preferably, the available measured values ​​are collected in real time or almost in real time and thus always reflect the current status of the system.

[0027] The device is connected directly and / or indirectly, wirelessly and / or wired, to the system and / or a database in which the measured values ​​are stored. Preferably, each measured value of each parameter required for release is compared with a target value.

[0028] A system whose operating mode is enabled by means of the present device or method preferably comprises at least one of the following components, but possibly also several or all of them: a water pretreatment system with at least one physical filter, a softener and an activated carbon filter, a reverse osmosis system, sensors and a monitoring device, one or more gateways that transmit data from one of the aforementioned components to a server or a cloud, alternatively the reverse osmosis system, water pretreatment system and / or sensor device itself can be capable of data communication via a network or have an integrated gateway, a ring main for transporting water, to which medical devices, in particular dialysis machines, can be connected.

[0029] The respective setpoint and / or the tolerance range surrounding it can either be set by the user, result from the technical specifications of the system or its component and / or result from legal or regulatory provisions or medical specifications, for example from the attending physician.

[0030] Alternatively or in addition to the target value, a target range may also exist. I

[0031] Preferably, the respective measured value is displayed to the user as well as an indication of the comparison result of the measured value with the target value, e.g. “value increased” or “value increased, but still within the tolerance range”.

[0032] The comparison result can also be indicated by displaying measured values ​​below the threshold in a font size that is smaller than the standard size, and by displaying measured values ​​above the threshold in a font size that is larger than the standard size. The criticality of a deviation of a measured value from a target value and / or a tolerance range surrounding it can be indicated, for example, as a color code, as a numerical scale, or by adjusting the size of the measured value (the greater the deviation, the larger the measured value is displayed). The criticality indication can include displaying a symbol, e.g. a flag or a star, etc., in the vicinity of a specific measured value.

[0033] For example, a traffic light-type color code can be provided, in which measured values ​​that correspond to the target value or a target range are marked green or not marked at all, measured values ​​that fall within a tolerance range are marked, for example, by yellow symbols or flags, and measured values ​​that fall outside the tolerance range are marked, for example, by red symbols or flags.

[0034] However, these explanations are only examples and the indication of criticality can take any form as long as it is stated to what extent a measured value deviates from a target value.

[0035] Preferably, the output is designed in the form of an overview of the parameters and / or the associated measured values ​​recorded as necessary for the release, in such a way that a user can record all parameters and / or associated measured values ​​and indications of their criticality at a glance and can release the operating mode to be released or reject the release with preferably just one click.

[0036] In addition, it can be provided that the user is also shown parameters and / or measured values ​​that are not absolutely necessary for the release. For example, a device according to the invention can be configured such that the user can select, by means of an input, which parameters and / or measured values ​​should be displayed in the overview in addition to the parameters recorded as required for the release.

[0037] Preferably, the output or overview contains a summarized indication created by the device or a status display of the system's condition, for example, by providing a traffic light-like color code in the overview, by means of which the condition of the entire system is assessed as normal (green), slightly deviating from the target condition or within the tolerance range (yellow), or significantly deviating (red). In this way, the user preferably receives a summary of the overall condition of the system at a glance. If, for example, the condition of the entire system was directly assessed as green, the user preferably does not have to look at individual measured values, but can directly enable the operating mode.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the device is further configured to automatically document a user's approval or rejection, preferably including the timestamp, user name, position, and / or authorization, recorded parameters, measured values, operating mode to be approved, and indication of the criticality of individual deviations and / or the summarized indication of the system's status created by the device. The documentation is preferably carried out in a digital logbook, taking into account the currently applicable local legal and regulatory requirements, to which the device preferably automatically adapts the documentation.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the control unit is programmed to automatically detect the majority (or number, since in principle only one parameter may be required for the release) of the parameters required (or critical and / or relevant) for this operating mode on the basis of an input regarding the operating mode to be released, preferably using information regarding the type, a current or planned operating mode, a current or planned maintenance mode and / or the location of the system or component thereof and / or the regulatory provisions currently applicable at this location.

[0040] For example, the "provision of dialysis water" mode can be selected as the operating mode to be enabled. The device then preferably automatically determines the system components required for this purpose, e.g., the reverse osmosis system, as well as the parameters relevant for testing the functionality of these components, e.g., the pressure in a specific line. Alternatively, the parameters required for enabling an operating mode can also be specified by the user or another authorized person.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the control unit is programmed, in the event of a refusal by the user to release the operating mode, to automatically determine at least one responsible contact person from a database for at least one, but in principle also for each, measured value that has been identified as deviating from the associated target value and / or tolerance range, and preferably to create a notification to the contact person(s), which enables the contact person to release the operating mode to be released with reference to the respective measured value or to reject the release.

[0042] The notification(s) will only be sent after the user has consented to their sending. Preferably, a notification will include at least the measured value identified as deviating from the corresponding target value and / or tolerance range.

[0043] In other words, according to one embodiment, a two-stage or multi-stage release process is provided.

[0044] Preferably, the device automatically determines the respective contact person. For example, if a pressure deviation is detected in a water pipe, the responsible contact person can be a service technician. If, for example, a temperature deviation in the supplied water is detected, the responsible contact person can be the attending physician. Preferably, the contact persons and their assignment to specific measured values ​​and / or parameters are stored in a database.

[0045] The responsible contact person can also vary depending on the criticality or size of a deviation, so that, for example, approval of a treatment must be given by an assistant physician despite minor deviations, but approval must be given by a senior physician in the case of major deviations.

[0046] Furthermore, it can be provided that a device according to the invention records an authorization and / or a position (e.g. service technician, doctor, etc.) of the user and then determines with regard to which parameters the user is authorized to release and / or with regard to which parameters release by a contact person, in other words a two-stage release process, is required.

[0047] If, for example, the device detects that the parameters water temperature and chlorine content of the water are required for a release process and also detects that the user is a service technician, the device can, for example, only allow the user to release the water despite a deviating measured value of the chlorine content (since it can be assumed that a service technician can assess the correct functioning of a dechlorination device), but require notification of a contact person (e.g. a doctor) when releasing the water despite a deviating measured value of the water temperature, since it can be assumed that a doctor can better assess whether a deviating water temperature is dangerous for a patient.In other words, a device according to the invention can be designed to record an authorization and / or position of a user and / or contact person and to limit the user's and / or contact person's authorization to the parameters and / or measured values ​​corresponding to the authorization and / or position. Which parameters and / or measured values ​​correspond to which authorization and / or position is preferably stored in a database.

[0048] Notification to a contact person can be made wirelessly or wired, and the respective contact person can be reached via email, messenger services, push notifications, SMS, social media or other means.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the control unit is programmed, in the event of a refusal by the user to release the operating mode, to determine a responsible contact person from a database and preferably to create a notification to the contact person only if the deviation of the measured value from the target value exceeds a certain threshold of criticality and / or the measured value lies outside a tolerance range surrounding the target value and / or if the measured value belongs to a parameter recorded as necessary for the release of the operating mode to be released.

[0050] This offers the advantage that minor deviations, which the device considers non-critical, do not require a two-stage approval process. This reduces the burden on the contact persons and further increases the user-friendliness of the approval process. For example, a physician registered as a contact person for the temperature parameter does not receive a notification for every minor deviation in temperature (e.g., 37.1°C instead of 37°C), but only when the deviation exceeds a certain level of insignificance and the measured value lies outside a tolerance range (e.g., 37.5°C, where the target value is 37°C and the tolerance range is + / - 0.4°C).For example, it can also be provided that if the criticality of the comparison result is displayed, for example, in the manner of a traffic light, a contact person is only notified if the comparison results of a measured value to a target value are classified in the "red" category.

[0051] If, for example, a user refuses to authorize operation of the water technology system for the provision of dialysis water because a deviation of the measured value from the target value classified in the "red" category was recorded for one parameter, e.g. the water temperature, and a deviation of the measured value from the target value classified in the "yellow" category was recorded for another parameter, e.g. the water hardness, it can be provided that the device does not determine a contact person for both the water temperature and water hardness parameters and creates a notification, but only for the contact person with regard to the water temperature, since only for this parameter there is a deviation classified in the "red" category.

[0052] It may be provided that, despite such a presetting of the device, a user can select that the contact person should nevertheless also be notified of the water hardness.

[0053] If a contact person is responsible for several parameters, the device can be designed to summarize the notifications relating to the several parameters in a common overview and preferably to order or sort the notifications according to urgency, for example based on the criticality of a related comparison result (e.g. deviations classified in the "red" category are communicated first or are placed at the top of a list).

[0054] According to one embodiment, the control unit is programmed to automatically create content, in particular text content, for at least one, a plurality, or even each notification to the respective responsible contact person. According to one embodiment, the control unit is programmed to automatically insert an option for viewing via electronic remote access to record the deviating measured value and / or its criticality and / or an associated status report of the system or the component thereof, preferably in the form of a link, into at least one, a plurality, or even each notification to the respective responsible contact person.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the deviating measured value and / or an indication of the criticality of the deviation and / or an associated status report of the asset or component may be included in a notification.

[0056] This offers the contact person the opportunity to directly assess the condition of the system and the deviating measured value without having to consult the user.

[0057] Preferably, the link is a deep link, i.e., preferably an address for access via a digital data connection that leads directly to the deviating measured value and / or the indication of the criticality of the deviation and / or the associated status report of the system or component. For example, access rights or authorization and / or identity of a user or contact person can also be encoded in the link.

[0058] According to one embodiment, in the event of a refusal to release the operating mode by the user, the control unit is programmed to release or start the operating mode directly after one or more deviating measured values ​​have been released by the respective responsible contact person, without the need for renewed release by the user.

[0059] This configuration also offers the possibility of accelerating the approval process, as no consultation between the contact person and the user and subsequent approval by the user are required. According to one embodiment, the control unit is programmed to provide notification in the form of an overview of the deviating measured values ​​in a case where a contact person is responsible for multiple parameters or measured values. This overview allows the contact person to centrally approve the operating mode to be approved with regard to the majority of deviating measured values ​​or to reject the approval.

[0060] This preferably ensures that a contact person can record the relevant measured values ​​and / or parameters at a glance and can centrally release or reject the operating mode, preferably with just one click.

[0061] For example, a service technician receives an overview that the pressure in a certain line is 3.8 bar instead of the target value of 4 bar and a flow rate in another line is 898 l instead of the target value of 890 l.

[0062] In this case, the overview contains, for example, these values, which the service technician can preferably check off or mark as safe using a button. The service technician can then approve or reject the operating mode by clicking the corresponding button, without having to approve or reject each measured value or parameter separately. The step of checking off or marking individual values ​​as safe is optional.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the control unit is programmed to automatically determine the most recent available measured value from a database for the majority of parameters identified as critical immediately before a planned start of the operating mode to be released and / or to execute the entire release process immediately before a planned start of the operating mode to be released. This reflects the specific characteristics of the field of medical technology or water technology in the medical sector, where the water produced or used must always and immediately meet the highest standards. Thus, the rapid, frequently repeated monitoring of the function of systems or their components, as well as their release, is necessary.

[0064] Preferably, a device according to the invention is designed to determine the most recent available measured value and / or to carry out the entire release process in a period of time between 1 minute and 30 minutes, preferably between 1 minute and 20 minutes, in particular between 5 minutes and 20 minutes before the planned start of the operating mode to be released.

[0065] A device according to the invention can be, for example, a laptop, computer, tablet or other electronic device which is used, for example, in a control room or in a control center of a clinic.

[0066] Examples of recorded parameters include conductivity, chlorine content, flow rate, total volume of produced water, water hardness, temperature, pressure, membrane permeability, component age (e.g., a filter cartridge), and maintenance status (e.g., overdue hot disinfection). However, this list is only exemplary, and other parameters may be considered alternatively or in addition.

[0067] Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer-implemented method for interactively enabling an operating mode of a system, in particular a water technology system, or at least one component thereof, wherein the method is preferably carried out by means of a device according to the invention, comprising the steps:

[0068] - Automatically determine from a database the most recent available measured value for a number of parameters recorded as necessary for the release of an operating mode to be released based on an input made via the user interface,

[0069] - comparing the measured value with a target value and / or a tolerance range surrounding it, and

[0070] - Outputting, by means of the user interface, for each measured value determined, preferably immediately adjacent to the measured value, an indication of the comparison result and its criticality, wherein the output by means of the user interface takes the form of an overview of the parameters recorded as critical, which enables a user to centrally release the operating mode to be released with regard to the majority of critically recorded parameters or to reject the release.

[0071] The above statements regarding a device according to the invention are also applicable to a method according to the invention, even if not all features are explicitly repeated in order to avoid redundancies.

[0072] According to one embodiment, based on an input regarding the operating mode to be released, the majority of the parameters critical for this operating mode are automatically recorded, preferably using information regarding the type, a current or planned operating mode, a current or planned maintenance mode and / or the location of the system or component thereof and / or the regulatory provisions currently applicable at this location.

[0073] According to one embodiment, if the user refuses to release the operating mode, at least one responsible contact person is automatically determined from a database by means of the control unit for each measured value that has been identified as deviating from the associated target value and / or a target range and / or a tolerance range, and a notification is preferably sent to the contact person, which notification enables the contact person to release the operating mode to be released with reference to the respective measured value or to refuse release. In this case, a notification preferably contains an option for digital remote access, for example in the form of a link or deep link. A deep link is preferably an address for remote access via a digital data connection, which preferably leads directly to the release query or the release.

[0074] For example, a notification can contain a button that a contact person can click. Clicking the button opens a link that allows the contact person to remotely access the device and authorize a release. The contact person preferably does not need to log in separately or confirm their identity, as the contact person's identity, position, role, authorization, and / or authorization are preferably encoded in the deep link.

[0075] The deep link can lead from one level of interaction with the contact person to a deeper instance of a web-based application.

[0076] Different contact persons can have different authorizations, which are preferably stored in a database to which the device has access. The authorizations can be related to the role or position of a contact person (doctor, service technician, etc.).

[0077] It may be specified that multiple contacts receive notifications, but only one of these contacts has authorization to issue a release, and the others receive the notification only for information purposes. For example, it may be specified that only a physician can issue a release, but service technicians also receive notifications to be informed of any abnormal measured values ​​and to carry out appropriate work on the system if necessary.According to one embodiment, in the event of a refusal to release the operating mode by the user, a responsible contact person is only determined from a database and preferably a notification is sent to the contact person if the measured value lies outside a tolerance range surrounding the target value and / or if the measured value belongs to a parameter recorded that is necessary for the release of the operating mode to be released and / or the deviation of the measured value from the target value exceeds a certain threshold of criticality.

[0078] It may be provided that content, in particular text content, is automatically created for at least one, a plurality or each notification or for a number of notifications to the respective responsible contact person.

[0079] Furthermore, each notification or a number of notifications to the respective responsible contact person can automatically include an option to view the deviating measured value and / or an associated status report of the system or its component by means of electronic remote access, preferably in the form of a link.

[0080] If the user refuses to release the operating mode, the operating mode can be released or started directly after one or more deviating measured values ​​have been released by the responsible contact person, without requiring further user approval. Alternatively, (re)approval by the user may also be required.

[0081] In a case where a contact person is responsible for several parameters or measured values, the notification of this contact person can be made in the form of an overview of the deviating measured values, which enables the contact person to centrally release the operating mode to be released with regard to the majority of deviating measured values, preferably with only one action, such as a click, or to reject the release.

[0082] According to one embodiment, immediately before a planned start of the operating mode to be released, the most recent available measured value is automatically determined from a database with regard to the majority of the parameters recorded as critical and / or the entire release process takes place immediately before a planned start of the operating mode to be released.

[0083] For example, the measured values ​​can be determined in a period between 1 minute and 30 minutes, preferably between 1 minute and 20 minutes, in particular between 5 minutes and 20 minutes before the planned start of the operating mode to be released and / or the entire release process can be carried out in these time ranges.

[0084] A method according to the invention preferably includes a step of automatic or self-directed documentation. For example, it can be provided to automatically document an approval or rejection made by the user, preferably including the time stamp, name, position, and / or authorization of the user, recorded parameters, measured values, operating mode to be approved, and indication of the criticality of individual deviations and / or the summarized indication of the system status created by the device. The documentation is preferably carried out in a digital logbook, taking into account the currently applicable local legal and regulatory requirements, to which the device preferably automatically adapts the documentation.

[0085] Another aspect of the invention relates to a data carrier containing machine-readable instructions that enable a device to execute a method according to the invention. Furthermore, such a data carrier can also be used to retrofit an existing device in accordance with the present invention. A data carrier within the meaning of this application preferably also includes a data storage space in the cloud.

[0086] Further features, effects, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures. Herein:

[0087] Fig. 1 is an exemplary view of a summarized indication of the status of a plant before release;

[0088] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary view of an overview of recorded parameters and their measured values ​​as well as a button for approving or rejecting the approval;

[0089] Fig. 3 is an exemplary view of a summarized indication of the status of a system after release;

[0090] Fig. 4 is an exemplary view of an overview displayed to a user by means of which a detected deviation can be transmitted to a contact person for further approval;

[0091] Fig. 5 is an exemplary view of an overview displayed to a contact person, by means of which the contact person can comment on a recorded deviation and approve or reject it;

[0092] Fig. 6 is an exemplary view of a documentation from which the determination of the most recent measured values ​​can be derived;

[0093] Fig.7 is an example view of a documentation that reflects the recorded measured values ​​over the course of a day; and

[0094] Fig.8 is an exemplary view of a documentation that reflects the recorded measured values ​​over 17 days, with two errors recorded on day 12, the criticality of which is indicated.

[0095] As shown by way of example in Fig. 1, according to one embodiment, a summary of the status of a system comprising components A to C is displayed to the user by means of a device according to the invention. In this example, the operating status of the system, in particular that of components B and C for producing dialysis water, has not yet been released; release is therefore pending, and the displayed traffic light is red. The sampling status is as planned; for example, no sampling has been missed, and the associated traffic light is therefore green.

[0096] Fig. 2 shows an example view of an overview of recorded parameters and their measured values, as well as a button for approving or rejecting the approval. Such a view is displayed, for example, to a user of the device.

[0097] For a release at 9:00 a.m., the most recent measured values ​​of the parameters (in this example, conductivity, temperature, membrane pressure, etc.) are determined. For example, the most recent measured value for conductivity is 1.8 pS / cm, which was recorded at 9:00 a.m. The most recent measured value for total chlorine is 0 mg / L, which was recorded at 8:15 a.m.

[0098] In this example, no deviations or malfunctions were detected. Using the "Approve" and "Reject" buttons, the user can approve or reject the operating mode with just one click. Once approved, the system starts producing dialysis water.

[0099] It may be stipulated that release is only possible if a measured value has been determined for all parameters marked as critical or particularly important.

[0100] In the view in Fig. 2, a particularly important or critical parameter, in this example the conductivity, has been highlighted by a display with increased line thickness (in bold). The user's gaze is thus drawn directly to important parameter values. Fig. 3 shows an example view of a summarized indication of the status of a system after release. In this example, the operating status of the system, in particular that of components B and C for producing dialysis water, has been released. Release has therefore been granted and the displayed traffic light is green. The sampling status remains as planned; for example, no sampling has been missed and the corresponding traffic light is therefore green.

[0101] Fig. 4 illustrates a case in which a deviation of a measured value from a target value has been detected and a contact person needs to be notified. Fig. 4 shows an example view of an overview displayed to a user, which they can use to transmit a detected deviation to a contact person for further approval.

[0102] Since not all measured values ​​are within the target range, the user rejects the approval by clicking the "Reject" button. The device automatically generates a summary of the deviation for the contact person. A comment field allows the user to provide additional information to the contact person. In this example, a conductivity measurement is too high.

[0103] Fig. 5 shows an example view of an overview displayed to a contact person, which they can use to comment on a recorded deviation and approve or reject it. In this example, the contact person is a service technician. For example, after the notification, the service technician has resolved the problem and the conductivity is back within the target range. After resolving the problem, the service technician can, as shown in Fig. 5, for example, using a link in the notification that can lead to an approval screen and / or the measured value, enter that the problem has been resolved and release the operating mode. In this example, the service technician uses a comment function to enter that the problem has been resolved. The service technician then sends this feedback and preferably thereby approves the operating mode or cancels the process.

[0104] Fig. 6 shows an example view of a documentation showing the determination of the most recent or temporally closest measured values. For example, the measurement at 10 a.m. was assigned a pressure value of 4 bar, which was recorded at 10:18:30 a.m.

[0105] Preferably, the device has an automatic assignment function, for example in the form of a closest-match algorithm, which assigns the closest measured values ​​to fixed acquisition periods or points. The measured values ​​can be before or after the fixed acquisition periods or points.

[0106] For example, as part of the automatic documentation, the device automatically generates release reports which, as shown in Fig. 6, contain the measured values ​​assigned to the various recording times, the corresponding parameters such as pressure, water consumption, total chlorine content, etc., the name and position of the user and the contact person or contacts, as well as an indication of whether or not a release has been granted.

[0107] Fig. 7 shows an example view of a documentation that reflects the recorded measured values ​​for the recording times of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Furthermore, this view provides an indication that no malfunction was detected.

[0108] Evaluation and / or documentation over longer time intervals is also possible. For example, Fig. 8 shows a view of a documentation reflecting the recorded measured values ​​over 17 days. On day 12, two faults were recorded, the criticality of which is indicated. For example, the conductivity value in column 2 of day 12 is highlighted with a yellow flag, and the temperature value in column 4 of day 12 is highlighted with a red flag. Furthermore, this view provides an indication that a malfunction has been detected.

[0109] The diagram in Fig. 8 shows the conductivity measurement curve as a graph. The graph also shows the limit value, which, if exceeded, is marked with a yellow flag. This allows the observer to get an overview of the extent to which the limit value has been exceeded.

[0110] Furthermore, the skilled person will understand that when an element is specified in the singular with the article "a" or "an", this is not to be understood as "exactly one", but rather in the sense of "at least one", and the disclosure is not limited to exactly one of these elements.

[0111] Furthermore, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that where certain elements or features of the invention are disclosed in a particular combination or in connection with a particular embodiment, those elements or features of the invention may also be claimed in isolation or in other combinations or in connection with another embodiment.

[0112] All features disclosed in connection with the method according to the invention can equally relate to a device according to the invention and vice versa, even if for the sake of brevity not all of these features or combinations thereof are expressly disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. Device for the interactive activation of an operating mode of a system, in particular a water treatment system, or at least a component thereof, wherein the device has a user interface and a control unit which is programmed to automatically read or load into a memory the most recent available measured value from a database with respect to at least a number of parameters recorded as required for the activation of the operating mode, to compare the determined measured value with a target value and / or a tolerance range surrounding it, and to output, via the user interface, for each determined measured value, preferably directly adjacent to the measured value, an indication of the comparison result and / or its criticality, wherein the output via the user interface is in the form of an overview of the measured values ​​of the parameters recorded as required.which allows a user to specify the operating mode to be released with regard to the, to centrally release or reject the determined measured values ​​of the parameters required for enabling the operating mode.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is programmed to automatically determine the number of parameters required to enable the operating mode to be enabled, based on an input regarding the operating mode to be enabled and / or regarding a type of the plant or at least one component thereof, wherein preferably access is made to information regarding the type, a current or planned operating mode, a current or planned maintenance mode and / or the location of the plant or component thereof and / or the regulatory provisions currently applicable at that location.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is programmed to automatically determine at least one responsible contact person from a database for each measured value identified as deviating from the corresponding target value in the event of a refusal by the user to release the operating mode, and preferably to create an electronic notification to the contact person and, in the event of confirmation of sending by the user, to send the notification to the contact person, wherein the notification enables the contact person to release the operating mode to be released by means of electronic remote access to the device with reference to the respective measured value or to refuse the release.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is programmed to determine at least one responsible contact person from a database for a measured value only if the user refuses to release the operating mode, and preferably to create a notification to the at least one contact person if the measured value is outside a tolerance range surrounding the target value. lies and / or if the measured value belongs to a parameter required for enabling the operating mode to be enabled.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims 3-4, wherein the control unit is programmed to automatically create content, in particular text content, for at least one notification to at least one responsible contact person.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims 3-5, wherein the control unit is programmed to automatically insert into at least one notification to at least one responsible contact person a possibility of viewing the deviating measured value and / or an associated status report of the system or component thereof, preferably in the form of a link.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is programmed to directly release or start the operating mode after the responsible contact person has released one or more deviating measured values, in the event of a refusal by the user to release the operating mode, without requiring a new release by the user.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is programmed to provide notification in the form of an overview of the deviating measured values ​​in a case where one contact person is responsible for several parameters or measured values, which enables the contact person to centrally release the operating mode to be released with regard to the majority of deviating measured values ​​or to reject the release.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is programmed to immediately before a planned start of the The method for the interactive release of an operating mode of a system, in particular a water treatment system, or at least a component thereof, is to automatically determine the most recent available measured value from a database with respect to the majority of the parameters recorded as required for release and / or to execute the entire release process immediately before a planned start of the operating mode to be released. The method is a computer-implemented method for the interactive release of an operating mode of a system, in particular a water treatment system, or at least one component thereof, wherein the method is preferably carried out by means of a device according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps: - Automatic determination of the most recent available measured value for a number of parameters recorded as required for an operating mode to be released from a database using a control unit, - Comparing each measured value with a target value and / or a surrounding tolerance range using the control unit, and - Output via a user interface for each measured value, preferably directly adjacent to the measured value, an indication of the comparison result and / or its criticality, wherein the output via the user interface is in the form of an overview of the measured values ​​of the parameters recorded as required for release, which enables a user to centrally release the operating mode to be released with regard to the number of recorded parameters or to reject the release.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein, based on an input regarding the operating mode to be released and / or regarding a type of plant or at least one component thereof, at least one component for releasing this operating mode is automatically selected by means of the control unit. The required parameters are captured, preferably by accessing information regarding the type, current or planned operating mode, current or planned maintenance mode, and / or location of the plant or component thereof, and / or the regulatory provisions currently applicable at that location. This is as described in claim 10 or 11, wherein, in the event of a rejection of the The user enables the release of the operating mode for each measured value identified as deviating from the corresponding target value and / or lying outside the tolerance range. The control unit automatically determines at least one responsible contact person from a database and preferably generates an electronic notification for the contact person. Upon confirmation of sending by the user, this notification is sent to the contact person, enabling the contact person to release the operating mode to be released via remote electronic access to the device with reference to the respective measured value, or to reject the release. This is achieved according to claim 12, wherein, in the event of a rejection of the release, the... The operating mode is determined by the user from a database and preferably a notification is generated for the contact person only if the measured value lies outside a tolerance range surrounding the target value or the permissible range and / or if the measured value belongs to a parameter recorded as necessary for releasing the operating mode to be released, as described in claim 12 or 13, wherein content, in particular text content, which preferably includes at least one measured value, is automatically generated for each notification to the respective responsible contact person. experienced according to one of the preceding claims 12-14, wherein at least one notification to at least one responsible contact person automatically includes a possibility of viewing the deviating measured value and / or an associated status report of the system or component thereof, preferably in the form of a link. experienced according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the case of a If the user rejects the release of the operating mode after one or more deviations in measured values ​​have been released by the responsible contact person via remote electronic access to the device, the operating mode is released or started directly without requiring further release by the user. This is achieved according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in a case where one contact person is responsible for several parameters or measured values, the notification is provided in the form of an overview of the deviations in measured values, which enables the contact person to centrally release or reject the operating mode with respect to the several parameters or measured values.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein immediately before a planned start of the operating mode to be released, the most up-to-date available measured value is automatically determined from a database with regard to the number of parameters recorded as required for release and / or the entire release process takes place immediately before a planned start of the operating mode to be released.

19. Data carrier containing machine-readable instructions enabling a device to execute a method according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

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