Storage device for a plurality of medical electronic components and medical system having such a storage device

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to a storage device (1) for a plurality of electronic components (2i), which are intended for use in a medical technology system (26), having: a receiving module (4) for receiving the electronic components (2i), a diagnostic unit (5) for diagnosing the electronic components (2i) received in the receiving module (4), wherein the receiving module (4) has several receiving spaces (3i) accommodated in a main body (24) of the storage device (1) or in a drawer of the receiving module (4) for receiving an electronic component (2) in each case, and wherein each of the receiving spaces (3i) has a plug connection (7i) that is complementary to a mating plug connection of the respective electronic component (2i) to be received in the receiving space (3i). A further aspect relates to a medical system having a storage device.

Description

[0001] Storage device for a plurality of medical electronic components and medical system with such a storage device

[0002] The invention relates to a storage device for a plurality of medical electronic components intended for use in a medical system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a medical system with such a storage device.

[0003] Components for a patient ventilation system are known from WO 2007 / 051 230 A1, DE 10 2019 216 489 A1, US 9,903,371 B2, and US 2019 / 0290866 A1. Sensors as examples of medical electronic components used in a medical system are known from WO 2021 / 069 550 A1.

[0004] Electronic components intended for use in a medical device system are often required in large numbers and are often complex in terms of conditioning. Furthermore, it is desirable to design such electronic components to be interchangeable.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to create a storage device that is as flexible as possible to handle and as informative as possible with regard to the stored electronic components.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a storage device having the features specified in claim 1. According to the invention, a storage device designed to store electronic components intended for medical use includes, in addition to a receiving module, a diagnostic unit.

[0007] The diagnostic unit can ensure that the respective electronic component is in a sufficient condition, especially for continued use. For example, if the electronic component has an energy storage device, the diagnostic unit can determine whether this energy storage device is sufficiently full or charged. The diagnostic unit can also initiate condition diagnostics for the electronic component. The diagnostic unit can also record the service life or operating life of the respective electronic component and compare it with specified values ​​regarding a permissible service life or operating life.

[0008] The electronic component can, in particular, be a medical electronic component, for example, a medical sensor. The medical sensor can, in particular, be a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a pressure sensor.

[0009] A calibration unit according to claim 2 can calibrate the electronic component so that it is available with precise properties in a predetermined manner for further use in the medical technology system.

[0010] A sterilization unit according to claim 3 prevents unwanted contamination of the electronic component and ensures safety during subsequent use in the medical technology system. The sterilization unit can be designed for sterilization using UV radiation and / or ethylene oxide, or also using another chemical or physical mechanism. When using radiation-based sterilization, a receiving space for the respective medical electronic component in the receiving module of the storage device for the sterilizing radiation can be mirrored to increase sterilization efficiency. This can be ensured by a corresponding reflective coating on at least one wall of the receiving space. The sterilization unit can be designed for time-controlled sterilization of the respective electronic component.The sterilization unit can be in signal communication with the diagnostic unit and / or the calibration unit.

[0011] A diagnostic unit according to claim 4 enables counterfeit protection. Unauthorized and / or non-operational electronic components can then be sorted out.

[0012] A status display unit according to claim 5 enables a quick comparison of the operating status of the electronic components stored in the storage device. The number of currently stored electronic components can also be quickly communicated via such a status display unit. Display data of the status display unit can be adapted to the possible operating situations of the storage device, in particular to the results of the diagnostic unit and / or the calibration unit. The display unit can be implemented using various lighting elements, which can also be of different colors, and / or using pictogram representations and / or using a display, in particular using a matrix display.

[0013] A calibration unit according to claim 6 enables precise calibration by comparing the electronic component to be calibrated with the reference component. The reference component can be a reference sensor. The sensor type of the reference sensor can correspond to that of the electronic component. A data storage device according to claim 7 enables documentation of the stored electronic components. Retrieval of corresponding operating software for the electronic components, which can then be updated, is also possible via this device. Current diagnostic or calibration data can also be stored in the data storage device. The storage device can also have other components for data processing or data communication, in particular interfaces for communication with external end devices.

[0014] Designs of the receiving module according to claims 1 and 8 have proven successful in practice. The "drawer" design provides special protection for the stored electronic components in the receiving position.

[0015] A plug connection according to claim 1 enables a defined connection of the electronic components stored in the receiving space.

[0016] The plug connection can provide a mechanical coupling of an electronic component with the respective receiving space, for example via a snap-in connection, as well as a signal connection.

[0017] The connector can be designed for the electrical transmission of electrical signals. The connector can, in particular, comprise electrical contacts.

[0018] The optionally present status display unit can inform the user of the correct plug connection via a corresponding status display. Alternatively or additionally, the plug connection can also be designed as a mechanical plug connection. A plug connection design according to claim 11 enables protection against confusion between the different types of electronic components. Such a plug connection design represents an example of mechanical coding of the storage device, so that when storing several types of electronic components, a specific set of receiving spaces is assigned to each specific type. As an alternative to a plug connection solution, such mechanical coding can also be implemented, for example, via a snap-in connection with different snap-in types for each type of electronic component.

[0019] The type-dependent plug-in or snap-in connections can differ from one another, for example, in their shape or size. Such protection against confusion can be ensured alternatively or additionally by color-coding the electronic components and / or the receptacles.

[0020] A supply unit according to claim 12 enables the refilling of an electronic component equipped with a corresponding component container with a supply medium. Refill electronic components can thus be reliably reused. The fill level of the respective component container can, in turn, be displayed via the optionally provided status display unit. A pharmaceutical, for example, can be used as the supply medium.

[0021] A charging unit according to claim 13 ensures that fully functional electronic components are always available. The charging unit can operate wired and / or inductively. A rechargeable battery or other energy storage device, such as a supercapacitor, can be used as the energy storage device. Charging can be done via the respective plug connection or inductively.

[0022] The advantages of a medical technology system according to claim 15 correspond to those already explained above with reference to the storage device.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The figures show:

[0024] Fig. 1 schematically shows main components of a storage device for a plurality of medical electronic components;

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a more concrete representation of an embodiment of the bearing device; and

[0026] Fig. 3 also shows a more concrete representation of another embodiment of the bearing device.

[0027] A storage device 1 is used to store a plurality of medical electronic components 2i (i = 1, 2, ...) that are intended for use in a medical system. The medical system can be a ventilation system. The electronic components 2i can be sensors, probes, or sensor modules. The electronic components 2 can be provided for the sensory detection of a temperature, a humidity, in particular an air humidity, or a pressure, in particular an ambient pressure. If the respective electronic component 2 is designed for sensory parameter detection, another parameter can also be detected, for example the concentration of a chemical component in a medium to be examined. The storage device 1 is designed, in the embodiment schematically shown in Fig. 1, for the storage of a total of eleven electronic components 2 (i = 1, ...N, N = 11).Depending on the design of the storage device 1, it can be provided for storing, for example, two to one hundred of the electronic components 2i, for example for storing four to twenty of the electronic components 2,.

[0028] In Fig. 1, a total of three of eleven provided receiving spaces 3 (i = 1...N, N = 11) are occupied by electronic components 2j, namely the receiving spaces 3i to 33. The other receiving spaces 34 to 3n are free in the situation of the storage device 1 shown in Fig. 1, and can therefore accommodate corresponding electronic components 2. The storage device 1 has a receiving module 4 for receiving the electronic components 2j. The receiving module 4 contains the receiving spaces 3i.

[0029] The storage device 1 further comprises a diagnostic unit 5 for diagnosing the electronic components 2j housed in the receiving module 4. The diagnostic module 5 is connected to the receiving module 4 and, via this, to the receiving chambers 3 via a signal line 6. To provide a correspondingly high-performance signal connection, the receiving module 4 of the storage device 1 can be connected to the other electronic units of the storage device 1 via a signal bus connection.

[0030] Each of the receiving spaces 3 has a plug connection 7 (i = 1 ... N, N = 11), which is designed to complement a mating plug connection of the respective electronic component 2 to be accommodated in the receiving space 3. The storage device 1 is designed to store several different types, in the illustrated embodiment two types, of electronic components 2i. Each of these types of electronic components 2i is assigned a different receiving space plug connection. In the schematic representation according to Fig. 1, the receiving space plug connections of the two electronic component types are illustrated as "rectangular plug connection" (see, for example, plug connection 75) and "triangular plug connection" (see, for example, plug connection 76). Other different shapes of corresponding receiving space plug connections 7 hwhich are designed to complement the corresponding mating connectors of the electronic components 2i, are possible, e.g., different types of existing standard connectors. A corresponding type assignment can alternatively or additionally be achieved via other mechanical or color coding of the electronic components 2 and / or the receiving spaces 3i.

[0031] The plug connections 7i provide a mechanical coupling of the electronic components 2 with the respective receiving space 3j, e.g. via a snap-in connection, as well as a signal connection.

[0032] The diagnostic unit 5 has an identification subunit 8 for identifying the electronic component 2i accommodated in the respective receiving space 3 of the receiving module 4. Such an identification subunit 8 can be designed to provide protection against plagiarism, meaning that only previously defined and specified types of electronic components 2i are recognized by the identification subunit 8 and released for further use within the storage device 1 and the medical system.

[0033] Identification via the identification subunit 8 can be performed by reading a unique identification number of the respective electronic component 2i. With the aid of the diagnostic unit 5, the expected service life of the electronic component 2i can be recorded or read out. With the diagnostic unit 5, state or operating parameters, in particular sensor signals, status signals, self-test signals, but also sensor data histories and error memory data of the electronic component 2i can be measured or read out. A software status check or a software update of the respective electronic component 2i can also be performed via the diagnostic unit 5.

[0034] The storage device 1 further has a calibration unit 9 for calibrating the electronic component 2i accommodated in the receiving module 4.

[0035] The calibration unit 9 is connected to the recording module 4 via a signal line 9a. The calibration unit 9 is connected to a reference component 10 for comparing data from the electronic component 2 recorded in the recording module 4 with reference data from the reference component 10 via a signal line 11.

[0036] The reference component 10 can be a reference sensor, for example a temperature or humidity sensor, in particular suitable reference sensors assigned to the types of electronic components 2. The calibration unit 9 is used to adjust or calibrate the respective electronic component 2i. This allows a basic test for proper functioning of the electronic component 2i and, in particular, a zero-point adjustment. Sensor adjustment via temperature using heating structures in the receptacles is also conceivable. The reference component 10 serves to adjust measurement data of the electronic component 2i. The storage device 1 further has a sterilization unit 12 for sterilizing the electronic components 2i accommodated in the receptacle module 4. The sterilization unit 12 is in signal communication with the receptacle module 4.The sterilization unit 12 is connected to the receiving spaces 3 of the receiving module 4 via a sterilization connection 13, in particular for the transfer of a sterilization medium.

[0037] The sterilization unit 12 can be designed for sterilization using UV radiation. In this case, the sterilization unit 12 has a UV source for generating the sterilizing UV radiation of the appropriate wavelength. Alternatively or additionally, the sterilization unit 12 can be designed for sterilization using a sterilization fluid, e.g., ethylene oxide (ETO). In this case, the sterilization unit 12 has a suitable fluid source for the sterilization fluid, for example, a sterilization reservoir. The sterilization unit 12 can also be designed for sterilization using other chemical or physical mechanisms.

[0038] Alternatively or in addition to the sterilization unit 12, a cleaning unit can be provided for cleaning the electronic component 2 accommodated in the receiving module 4. Cleaning can be performed based on the condition, e.g., based on diagnostic data.

[0039] If sterilization is performed via the sterilization unit 12 using radiation, the receiving spaces 3 can be correspondingly mirrored, so that the efficiency of the sterilization effect via the sterilization radiation is improved. Such a mirroring can be applied by evaporation or by applying a mirror layer, for example, an interference layer. At least one mirror foil can also be used for this purpose. A mirroring can also be realized by a vapor-deposited or otherwise applied, particularly thin, metal or metal oxide layer. Silver can be used as the metal.

[0040] Sterilization via the sterilization unit 12 can be performed on a time-controlled basis, e.g., at regular intervals. Sterilization can also be performed based on the condition, e.g., depending on the duration of use.

[0041] An occupancy signal from the respective receiving space 3i can ensure that only the receiving spaces 3j occupied by the respective electronic components 2 are sterilized.

[0042] The receiving module 4 of the storage device 1 further has, assigned to each of the receiving spaces 3 ä, a status display unit 14, (i = 1,...N, N = 11) for displaying the status of the electronic component 2j accommodated in the respective receiving chamber 3; of the receiving module 4. The status display unit 14i is in signal communication with the diagnostic unit 5 and / or the calibration unit 9. Status indicators that can be displayed via the status display unit include, for example, "diagnosis successful," "error," "calibrated," "xx% of operating time reached," "operating time exhausted," and "sensor replacement necessary."

[0043] The status display unit 14 can be designed as a color-coded traffic light system, for example, with LEDs in the colors red, yellow, and green. Alternatively or additionally, it can be designed in the form of a pictogram display or a matrix display. The status display unit 14i can also be used to visualize the occupancy of the receiving spaces 3, so that the storage device 1 can quickly see how many of the receiving spaces 3 are currently equipped with electronic components 2. When using a central display for the status display unit 14, each of the receiving spaces 3i can be assigned a status display, for example in the form of a pictogram. The storage device 1 also has a central control unit 15, which is in signal communication with the receiving module 4 and thus also with the other units of the storage device 1 via a signal line 16.Part of the control unit 15 is a data storage unit 16a, which is in signal communication, in particular, with the diagnostic unit 5 and the calibration unit 9. The control unit 15 enables, in particular, monitoring the occupancy of the receiving spaces 3i with the electronic components 2, so that, for example, if a minimum number of occupied receiving spaces or insertion cavities 3 is not reached, an alarm signal or even an automatic reorder can be triggered.

[0044] The minimum number can, for example, be less than half the number of recordings 3i and can be five in the example shown.

[0045] The electronic components 2 can be designed such that they contain a component container 17 for a supply medium, for example, a pharmaceutical, which is dispensed to a patient in a controlled manner by the electronic component 2 during operation of the medical system. For filling or refilling such a component container 17, the storage device 1 has a supply unit 18, which is fluidly connected to a supply container 20 via a control valve 19. The supply unit 18, in turn, is fluidly connected to the receiving module 4 and the respective receiving spaces 3 via a supply control valve 21. The supply medium, for example in the form of the respective pharmaceutical, is stored in the supply container 20.Controlled by the control unit 15, the supply medium is supplied, if necessary, via the supply unit 18 to the component container 17 of the respective electronic component 2i, with the control valves 21 and 19 being opened and closed as required. In this case, the status display unit 14 can display a fill level of the component container 17 of the associated electronic component 2i. The shelf life of the supply medium in the component container 17 can also be displayed via the status display unit 14. A dosage of the supply medium, which is carried out via the component container 17 when the electronic component 2i is used in the medical system after storage in the storage device 1, can be specified via the control unit 15 of the storage device 1.

[0046] The electronic components 2 can have a rechargeable energy storage device 22, which is again illustrated in Fig. 1 using the example of the electronic component 2i. The storage device 1 has a charging unit 23 for charging the energy storage device 22 of the respective electronic component 2. This charging can be carried out via the respective plug connection 7 or, for example, inductively. The charging unit 23 is connected to the receiving module 4 via a signal line 24.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a more concrete design of the storage device 1 compared to Fig. 1. The receiving module 4 is designed in the form of a drawer that is accommodated in a base body 24 of the storage device 1. The base body 24 can be firmly connected to a component of the medical system.

[0048] The drawer receiving module 4 can be moved in the base body 24 between a receiving position and a removal position. In the receiving position, the electronic components 2i accommodated in the receiving module 4 are protected in the base body 24. In the removal position, the electronic components 2i accommodated in the receiving module 4 can be removed from the receiving module 4. To insert the electronic components 2i into the receiving spaces 3i, the electronic components 2i are inserted into the receiving spaces 3i from above in the receiving position of the drawer receiving module 4. In the receiving position of the drawer receiving module 4, the stored electronic components 2i can be removed accordingly from the receiving spaces 3. Fig. 2 shows the respective status display unit 14 in the form of an LED traffic light with three LEDs 25 each.

[0049] The storage device 1 can have several such drawer receiving modules 4.

[0050] Fig. 3 shows a further design of the support device 1 in a representation similar to Fig. 2. In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, a base body 24 of the support device 1 is part of a module of the medical system 26, which is designed, for example, as a ventilation system. This module can be a humidifier unit of the medical system 26.

[0051] In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, the receiving spaces 3> are designed as plug-in cavities for inserting the respective electronic component 2 from the side into the base body 24.

[0052] The storage device 1 can have several rows of such insertion cavities 3i.

[0053] This description also covers the following aspects:

[0054] 1. Storage device (1) for a plurality of electronic components (2) intended for use in a medical technology system (26), comprising:

[0055] - a receiving module (4) for receiving the electronic components (2), - a diagnostic unit (5) for diagnosing the electronic components (2) received in the receiving module (4).

[0056] 2. Storage device according to aspect 1, characterized by a calibration unit (9) for calibrating the electronic components (2,) accommodated in the receiving module (4).

[0057] 3. Storage device according to aspect 1 or 2, characterized by a sterilization unit (12) for sterilizing the electronic components (2) accommodated in the receiving module (4).

[0058] 4. Storage device according to one of aspects 1 to 3, characterized in that the diagnostic unit (5) has an identification subunit (8) for identifying the electronic components (2i) respectively accommodated in the receiving module (4).

[0059] 5. Storage device according to one of aspects 1 to 4, characterized by a status display unit (14>) for displaying a status of the electronic components (2) accommodated in the receiving module (4), which is in signal connection with the diagnostic unit (5) and / or the calibration unit (9).

[0060] 6. Storage device according to one of aspects 1 to 5, characterized in that the calibration unit (9) is provided with at least one reference component (12) for comparing data of the electronic component (2) accommodated in the receiving module (4). ( ) is in signal connection with reference data of the reference component (12).

[0061] 7. Storage device according to one of aspects 1 to 6, characterized by at least one data memory (16a) which is in signal connection with the diagnostic unit (5) and / or with the calibration unit (9). 8. Storage device according to one of aspects 1 to 7, characterized in that the receiving module (4) is designed in the form of a drawer which is guided in a base body (24) of the storage device (1) and can be moved between a receiving position in which electronic components (2) received in the receiving module (4) are protected in the base body (24), and a removal position in which the electronic components (2) received in the receiving module (4) can be removed from the receiving module (4).

[0062] 9. Storage device according to one of aspects 1 to 8, characterized in that the receiving module (4) has a plurality of receiving spaces (3j) accommodated in a base body (24) of the storage device (1) or of the receiving module (4) on the one hand or in the drawer of the receiving module (4) on the other hand, for receiving one electronic component each (2.

[0063] 10. Storage device according to aspect 9, characterized in that each of the receiving spaces (3) has a plug connection (7) which is complementary to a mating plug connection of the respective receiving space (3) S ) to be accommodated electronic component (2,).

[0064] 11. Storage device according to aspect 10, designed to store several different types of electronic components (2i), each type being assigned a different receiving space plug connection (7).

[0065] 12. Storage device according to one of aspects 1 to 11, characterized by a supply container (20) with a supply medium and by a supply unit (18) for supplying the supply medium from the supply container (20) to a component container (17) of the electronic component (2i) respectively accommodated in the receiving module (4).

[0066] 13. Storage device according to one of aspects 1 to 12, characterized by a charging unit (23) for charging an energy storage device (22) of the electronic component (2) respectively accommodated in the receiving module (4).

[0067] 14. Medical system (26) with a storage device (1) according to one of aspects 1 to 13.

Claims

M26700.0 Patent claims 1. Storage device (1) for a plurality of electronic components (2) intended for use in a medical technology system (26), comprising: - a receiving module (4) for receiving the electronic components (2), a diagnostic unit (5) for diagnosing the electronic components (2) received in the receiving module (4), wherein the receiving module (4) has a plurality of receiving spaces (3) accommodated in a base body (24) of the storage device (1) on the one hand or in a drawer of the receiving module (4) on the other hand, for each receiving an electronic component (2), and wherein each of the receiving spaces (3) has a plug connection (7) which is designed to be complementary to a mating plug connection of the electronic component (2) to be received in the respective receiving space (3i).

2. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a calibration unit (9) for calibrating the electronic components (2) accommodated in the receiving module (4).

3. Storage device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sterilization unit (12) for sterilizing the electronic components (2) accommodated in the receiving module (4).

4. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diagnostic unit (5) has an identification sub-unit (8) for identifying the electronic components (2) respectively accommodated in the receiving module (4).

5. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a status display unit (14) for displaying a status of the electronic components (2) accommodated in the receiving module (4), which is in signal connection with the diagnostic unit (5) and / or the calibration unit (9).

6. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the calibration unit (9) is in signal connection with at least one reference component (12) for comparing data of the electronic component (2i) accommodated in the receiving module (4) with reference data of the reference component (12).

7. Bearing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising at least one data memory (16a) which is in signal connection with the diagnostic unit (5) and / or with the calibration unit (9).

8. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the receiving module (4) is designed in the form of a drawer which is guided in a base body (24) of the storage device (1) between a receiving position in which electronic components (2i) received in the receiving module (4) are protected in the base body (24), and a removal position in which the electronic components (2i) received in the receiving module (4) can be removed from the receiving module (4).

9. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plug connection (7) provides, on the one hand, a mechanical coupling of an electronic component (2) with the respective receiving space (3 ( ), for example via a locking connection, as well as a signal connection.

10. Bearing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plug connection (7i) is used for the electrical transmission of electrical signals. len, wherein the plug connection (7,) comprises in particular electrical contacts.

11. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the storage device is designed to store several different types of electronic components (2,), each type being assigned a different receiving space plug connection (7,).

12. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a supply container (20) with a supply medium and a supply unit (18) for supplying the supply medium from the supply container (20) to a component container (17) of the electronic component (2j) respectively received in the receiving module (4).

13. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a charging unit (23) for charging an energy storage device (22) of the electronic component (2) respectively accommodated in the receiving module (4).

14. Storage device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the charging takes place via the respective plug connection (7) or inductively.

15. Medical system (26) with a bearing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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