Electro-medical device and measurement kit

Abstract

The invention relates to an electro-medical device (10) configured to relay, to a remote terminal, an analog signal representing a patient's physiological data, such as intracranial pressure or blood pressure. The electro-medical device (10) comprises: - a rechargeable battery (14), - a first electronic connector (30) which includes a first connection pin AA, allowing the reception of the incoming analog signal, - a power connector (60) which is electrically connected to the battery (14), the power connector (60) including a second connection pin BB. The spatial proximity between the two connectors (30, 60) and the crossing of their connection pins AA, BB prevent the simultaneous connection of the first electronic connector (30) and the power connector (60). [Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Electro-medical device and measurement kit technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an electro-medical device configured to relay, to a remote terminal, an analog signal representing a patient's physiological data. For example, the physiological data may correspond to the patient's intracranial pressure or blood pressure, etc. The invention may also relate to a physiological data measurement kit comprising an electro-medical device conforming to the invention and a physiological data sensor. Prior art

[0002] Currently, the development of an electro-medical device, such as a portable device for relaying a patient's physiological data between a sensor and a remote terminal (smartphone, computer, etc.), is subject to various standards that impose technical constraints. Most of the time, these technical constraints are prescribed for health and safety reasons related to biocompatibility, sterilization, device aging, and also the patient's physical integrity with regard to electrical or electroacoustic risks (radio, EMF). The cybersecurity of medical data is another important aspect that manufacturers must manage for new medical devices that offer connectivity with local or public networks.

[0003] With regard to portable electrical devices for medical use, standards stipulate, in particular, that the manufacturer must ensure that high-voltage alternating current, from a wall outlet for example, cannot be transmitted to the patient, as this would pose a life-threatening risk. The standard specifically states that the electro-medical device must prevent any short circuit and any transmission of high-voltage electricity from a high-voltage power source to the patient. Most often, the high-voltage power source is a wall outlet to which the electro-medical device is connected to recharge its battery or to operate. Reverse polarity protection, output voltage limitation, and overheat protection for the electro-medical device must also be addressed.

[0004] In order to protect patients from electrical hazards, some manufacturers have equipped portable medical electrical devices with electronic components such as AC / DC, DC / DC, and DC / DC converters, or with various device isolation / protection systems arranged on the electronic board. However, this type The cost of electronic components is very high, but also very bulky because they must be robustly designed to protect the patient. This makes it difficult for a manufacturer to produce compact and portable devices at a lower cost.

[0005] To solve this problem while controlling production costs, some manufacturers have chosen to equip their medical power devices with a removable rechargeable battery without including a power connector, so that the battery cannot be recharged from mains power while connected to the device. Manufacturers must therefore incorporate specific connector features to prevent the battery from being recharged while connected to the device. The aim is thus to force users to remove the rechargeable battery from the device to recharge it. The battery must therefore be extracted from the device to recharge it. Although this addresses the safety issue, a removable battery is more likely to be lost than a non-removable internal battery.This is especially true in a hospital setting where the equipment is used by several practitioners, or even by several teams of practitioners. Furthermore, from a design perspective, this implies providing an opening and a door in the casing to remove the battery for charging and then replacing it in the casing if necessary. This door must, in some cases, be sealed to prevent fluid splashes from damaging the battery while it is in its compartment. Such a solution is therefore unsatisfactory in many respects.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome all or part of these drawbacks. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention aims to protect the patient from all electrical risks from an electro-medical device while controlling manufacturing costs.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to an electro-medical device configured to relay, to a remote terminal, an analog signal representing a patient's physiological data such as intracranial pressure or the patient's blood pressure, the electro-medical device comprising a housing which includes:

[0009] - a rechargeable battery disposed in an internal space of the casing and providing from electrical energy to electro-medical devices,

[0010] - a first electronic connector comprising a first connection axis A- A, the first AA connection axis allowing the first electronic connector to be connected to a fitting of a physiological sensor producing the incoming analog signal, and

[0011] - a power connector that is electrically connected to the battery and configured to be connected to a power supply in order to transmit an electrical current to the battery for charging, the power connector includes a second BB connection pin,

[0012] The first electronic connector and the power connector are, on the one hand, spatially arranged contiguously in a connection area of ​​the housing, and on the other hand, spatially oriented so that the first connection axis AA is intersecting the second connection axis BB, the crossing of the first connection axis AA and the second connection axis BB and the spatial proximity of the connectors opposing a simultaneous connection of the first electronic connector and the power connector.

[0013] The invention therefore relates to a portable electrical device for medical use to collect and transmit medical data, also known as physiological data. When the electro-medical device receives physiological data, it is indirectly connected to the patient through the sensor that generates and transmits the physiological data. For example, to measure a patient's intracranial pressure, the sensor used is connected directly to the patient via a lumbar puncture, the sensor being connected to the lumbar puncture needle. Preventing the simultaneous connection of the two connectors avoids the electro-medical device being simultaneously connected to the patient and to a high-voltage alternating current source. The risks of serious electrical incidents that could harm the patient are thus limited.

[0014] The mechanical obstruction is primarily due to the arrangement of the power connector relative to the first electronic connector. More specifically, their spatial proximity and the crossing of their connection axes are two factors that contribute to providing a mechanical obstruction when one of the two connectors is plugged into an additional connection external to the electro-medical device. The electrical safety issue is thus addressed by a specific mechanical design of the connection area of ​​the housing. The inventor therefore solves the technical problem without using expensive and bulky electronic components.

[0015] The connection axis of a connector corresponds to the axis along which the connector's auxiliary plug or fitting is connected to the connector of the electro-medical device. The plug or fitting is connected to an external element, such as a physiological sensor or a transformer, the latter being itself connected to the electrical network via a mains socket.

[0016] Note that other types of data such as intracranial pressure, blood pressure, bladder pressure, and muscle compartment pressure of the patient can also be relayed by a conforming electro-medical device of an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] In some embodiments, the distance between the power connector and the first electronic connector may be less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, and even more preferably less than 2 cm or even less than 1 cm. The spatial proximity combined with an inclination of at least one of the two connectors provides an intersection of the connection axes and thus creates the mechanical barrier preventing the simultaneous connection of the two connectors.

[0018] To allow the connection of a maximum number of physiological data sensors, the first electronic connector can be selected from among the ODU MINI-MED®, LEMO®, Fisher®, Smith®, Attend®, jack, etc., type data connectors. Furthermore, the first electronic connector can advantageously be a female connector. This allows for a housing without protrusions, making it more easily portable and, for example, able to be carried in a lab coat pocket. For the same advantages, the power connector can also be a female connector. In addition, the power connector can be selected from among the USB-C, USB-A, DIN, etc., type connectors. Preferably, the power connector is USB-C.

[0019] Furthermore, the rechargeable battery is preferably non-removable from the casing. For example, the casing may include a specific compartment that permanently houses the battery. This compartment may be sealed to make the battery non-removable. This addresses electrical safety concerns while controlling the manufacturing costs of the casing. Indeed, the non-removable nature of the battery eliminates the need for the manufacturer to include an opening in the casing, thus reducing the number of parts and simplifying the design of the electro-medical device's casing.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first electronic connector and the power connector may be provided in a recess set back from or offset from a wall of the housing, the recess then forming the connection area of ​​the housing. Because the recess is set back from the housing wall, it contributes to creating a mechanical bulk in the connection area, notably by limiting access to the connectors.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first electronic connector is integrated on a first plane offset from a wall of the housing, the power connector being integrated on a second plane offset from said wall, the first and second offset planes intersecting so that the connection axes AA and BB intersect. The particular spatial orientation of the offset planes contributes to creating a spatial bulk in the connection area which will then produce a mechanical obstruction by cooperating, for example, with the male plug of a connector the power supply which is already connected to the power connector. The connection area then no longer has enough space to simultaneously connect the first electronic connector.

[0022] In particular, the first offset plane and the second offset plane can be arranged respectively on a first and a second wall of the housing that are adjacent and form an angle [3] with a value less than 160°. Preferably, the angle value is between 60° and 150°, and even more preferably, between 80° and 140°. The inclination of one wall relative to the other limits access to the connection area and also creates an intersection of the connection axes of the two connectors. The first and second walls can thus be arranged to form an L-shaped or half-U-shaped connection area. The connection axes AA and BB oppose each other by their intersection and prevent the simultaneous connection of a data connector and the power connector.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second recessed plane can create a break with the plane of the housing wall, the first recessed plane being set back from the plane of the housing wall and extending parallel to it, while the second recessed plane connects the housing wall to the first recessed plane. Such a configuration allows the connection area to have a niche shape. Advantageously, the housing wall containing the connection area is a side wall of the housing.

[0024] In some embodiments, the connection area can advantageously be located near a corner of the housing. Positioning it near a corner of the housing allows the edges of the housing to be used to restrict access to the connection area.

[0025] In some embodiments, the connection area may be located on a wall of the housing which has a raised edge, said wall having a flat surface recessed from the edge. The raised edge extends around the perimeter of said wall of the housing. This edge helps to restrict access to the connectors. In particular, the first recessed plane and the second recessed plane together with the raised edge form a niche set back from the flat surface. The raised edge increases the depth of the niche and further restricts access to the connectors.

[0026] In embodiments, the first detached plane and the second detached plane can form a shoulder in a wall of the housing.

[0027] In embodiments, the first electronic connector may comprise a cannula whose annular end is disposed in a plane raised relative to the power connector, the power connector being inclined relative to to the cannula. Such a configuration allows the connection axes to cross while reducing the distance between the two connectors.

[0028] In particular, the first connecting axis AA and the second connecting axis BB may form an angle α with a value less than 150°, preferably less than 145°, and even more preferably less than 140°. The value of angle α may also be less than 120°, and preferably less than 100°. The value of angle α may also be greater than 20°, preferably greater than 30°, and even more preferably greater than or equal to 40°. The value of angle α may thus be greater than 50°, and preferably greater than 60°. Such angular values, combined with the spatial proximity of the two connectors, make it possible to create a mechanical obstacle to the connection of a second connector when the first connector is connected to a fitting external to the electro-medical device.

[0029] In some embodiments, the electro-medical device may include a second electronic connector adjacent to the power connector, the second electronic connector comprising a third connection axis CC, the third connection axis CC intersecting the connection axis BB of the power connector, the spatial proximity between the power connector and the third electronic connector and the intersection of their connection axes BB, CC preventing the simultaneous connection of the second electronic connector and the power connector. Thus, the electro-medical device may include two electronic connectors configured to transmit data, the two electronic connectors being able to be connected simultaneously. The two connectors may be of the same type or of different types.The second electronic connector can be selected from data connectors of the following types: ODU MINL MED®, LEMO®, Fisher®, Smith®, Attend®, jack, etc. Advantageously, the second electronic connector is of a different type than the first electronic connector. For example, the second electronic connector can be a jack type while the first is a LEMO® type.

[0030] In all cases, these two electronic connectors allow for complex medical analyses that require, for example, the synchronous acquisition of two types of physiological data such as electroencephalography and the patient's intracranial pressure. For the same reasons previously stated, the second electronic connector can advantageously be a female connector.

[0031] In order for the two electronic connectors to be connected simultaneously, the second electronic connector can be provided in the same plane as the first electronic connector. In addition, the second electronic connector can be arranged adjacent to the first electronic connector.

[0032] In some embodiments, the electro-medical device may include: - electronic means including a digital converter configured to convert the incoming analog signal into a digital signal, and - a remote transmitter / receiver configured to transmit the digital signal to a remote terminal.

[0033] In some embodiments, the electronic means may include internal memory configured to store the converted digital signal. This makes it possible to store the incoming signal even when the electro-medical device is not connected to a remote terminal during the acquisition of physiological data.

[0034] In some embodiments, the electronic means may include an accelerometer configured to turn on the housing and / or pair the transceiver with a remote terminal. For example, two taps on the front panel of the housing can trigger the pairing procedure of the electro-medical device with a remote terminal. Another possible feature is to turn on the electro-medical device when it is subjected to agitation exceeding a certain amplitude or acceleration threshold.

[0035] In embodiments, the electro-medical device may include a human / machine interface provided on a wall of the housing, the human / machine interface comprising one or more buttons, and / or, one or more indicator lights.

[0036] In some embodiments, the invention may relate to a kit for measuring a patient's physiological data, such as intracranial pressure or blood pressure. The measurement kit comprises an electromedical device conforming to an embodiment of the invention and a physiological sensor configured to measure the pressure of a patient's physiological fluid. In particular, the electromedical device is advantageously associated with an intracranial pressure sensor that is connected to the cerebrospinal fluid, the latter being made accessible through a lumbar puncture procedure. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. This description is purely illustrative and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] [Fig. 1] is a perspective representation of an electro-medical device conforming to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] [Fig.2] is a representation of the device housing of [Fig.1], the connectors not being assembled.

[0040] [Fig.3] is a representation of a conforming electro-medical device of a mode of realization of the invention, a first electronic connector of the housing being connected to the male connector of an electronic cable, the configuration of the housing and the male connector opposing the connection of the power connector.

[0041] [Fig.4] is a representation of a conforming electro-medical device of a mode In the realization of the invention, the power connector is connected to a male connector of a power cable, the configuration of the housing and the male connector opposing each other which opposes the simultaneous connection of the electronic connector.

[0042] [Fig.5] is a representation of the connection area of ​​an electro-medical device conforming to an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] [Fig.6] is a representation of the connection area of ​​an electro-medical device conforming to another embodiment of the invention.

[0044] [Fig.7] is a representation of the electro-medical device of [Fig.6], a The first electronic connector of the case being connected to the male connector of an electronic cable, the configuration of the case and the male connector opposing the connection of the power connector.

[0045] [Fig.8] is a representation of a data transmission system physiological effects of a patient using a conforming electro-medical device of the invention.

[0046] [Fig.9] is a schematic representation of a cross-section of the area connection of an electro-medical device conforming to an embodiment of the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0047] With reference to Figures 1 to 9, the invention relates to a medical electro-medical device 10. The electro-medical device 10 is specifically configured to relay physiological data from a patient to a remote terminal 11 as illustrated in [Fig. 8]. The remote terminal 11 may be a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, or any other data processing device that includes connectivity features, preferably wireless, and a human-machine interface for accessing the data relayed by the electro-medical device 10.

[0048] Physiological data can, in particular, be relayed in the form of an electrical signal 12 produced by a physiological data sensor 13. Most of the time, the sensors 13 used produce an analog signal corresponding to the physiological data of a patient they are measuring. For example, the inventors have described a sensor for measuring the intracranial pressure of a patient at through the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as described in document WO2023 / 186817. The sensor is thus connected to a lumbar puncture needle to bring it into contact with the CSF. The CSF pressure is measured through a controlled volume of air interposed between a piezoelectric cell of the sensor and the CSF. The piezoelectric cell then translates the CSF pressure by producing an analog electrical signal. It should be noted that other types of data, such as blood pressure, bladder pressure, and the pressure in the patient's muscle compartments, can also be transmitted by the electro-medical device 10 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0049] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the electro-medical device 10 comprises a housing 20 which has a substantially quadrangular geometric shape. The housing 20 thus comprises two opposing front walls 21 and side walls 22 which close the housing and extend around the periphery of the front walls 21. The term "substantially" means that the edges and corners of the quadrangular shape may be rounded, as can be seen in Figures 5 to 7. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, a side wall 22a has a notch. Nevertheless, the housing can take on all sorts of shapes as long as it includes a connection area conforming to an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] Moreover, the housing 20 includes, in this connection area, a first electronic connector 30. Here, the first connector 30 is a female connector; it allows a data cable 40 to be connected using a male connector 4L. This is illustrated in particular in Figures 3, 7 and 8. The incoming data flow to the electro-medical device 10 is represented in particular in [Fig. 8] by arrows which are shown on the cable 40.

[0051] According to an embodiment illustrated in particular in Figures 4 and 7, the first connector 30 comprises a first connection shaft AA. The connection shaft AA connects the first electronic connector 30 to a male connector 41, which is connected via a cable 40 to the physiological sensor 13. The latter produces the incoming analog signal. In this example, the first connector 30 is a data connector; in particular, it is a medical data connector such as the ODU MINLMED®, LEMO®, Fisher®, Smith®, or Attend® connectors. However, the data connector can be a more general-purpose connector such as a jack. The jack can be used to connect an electroencephalograph (EEG) device or a MEG device for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the electromedical device 10.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the electro-medical device 10 may include a rechargeable battery 14 disposed in an internal space of the housing 20, for example a A specific housing containing connectors enabling it to distribute electrical power to the electronic components 50 of the electro-medical device 10. The battery 14 is preferably fixed. For this purpose, the housing may be enclosed.

[0053] According to the embodiment illustrated in particular in [Fig. 8], the electronic means 50 may include a digital converter 51 configured to convert the incoming analog signal 12 into a digital signal 15. Advantageously, the electronic means 50 may also include an amplifier. The amplifier advantageously improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the analog signal 12 before its conversion. The electro-medical device 10 can thus be considered as a modulator and a relay unit for physiological data. Furthermore, the electronic means 50 may include a microprocessor 52 coupled to a memory 53 for storing, at least temporarily, the digital signal 15. The electronic means 50 may include several memories of the Eprom, Fram, or SD type.

[0054] As illustrated in [Fig. 8], the electronic means 50 may also include a wireless transmitter / receiver 54 configured to transmit the digital signal 15 to the remote terminal 11. The transmitter / receiver 54 may be configured to emit a near-field signal such as NFC, Bluetooth, and RFID, or a signal such as Wi-Fi, radio, etc. Advantageously, the transmitter / receiver 54 is chosen to be of the Bluetooth type to allow connectivity at a distance of a few meters with the most common connected devices such as smartphones, tablets, and even laptops.

[0055] The microprocessor 52 thus controls the transfer of the converted digital signal 15 to a remote terminal 11 or to the memory 53, as illustrated in [Fig. 8]. For example, when the electro-medical device 10 is connected to a physiological data sensor 13, and the electro-medical device 10 is not connected to a remote terminal 11, the microprocessor 52 will store the digital signal 15 in the memory 53. The digital signal 15 can thus be stored until the next connection to a remote terminal 11. Since the acquisition of physiological data requires more or less invasive medical procedures, for example, a lumbar puncture, it is important that the physiological data measured by the sensor 13 can be retained in the electro-medical device 10 under all circumstances, even when the electro-medical device 10 is unable to transmit the data to a remote terminal 11.

[0056] The microprocessor 52 can also be configured to encrypt the wireless signal 16 which is then transmitted to the remote terminal 11. This makes it possible to comply with the confidentiality standards of personal medical data.

[0057] In addition, the electronic means 50 may include an accelerometer configured to turn on the housing and / or pair the transmitter / receiver with a remote terminal. For example, the accelerometer may be configured to activate the electronic means 50 of the electro-medical device 10 when a certain amount of agitation is produced. According to another possibility, which may or may not be associated with the first function of the accelerometer 54, the latter may be configured to pair the transmitter / receiver 54 with a remote terminal following a specific stimulus. The stimulus may, for example, be two taps on one face of the housing 20.

[0058] As can be seen in Figures 4 to 7, the electro-medical device 10 may include a human-machine interface 56, which is here provided on a wall of the housing 20. In this example, the human-machine interface 56 includes an on / off button 560 and indicator lights 561, 562, and 563. A first indicator light 561 can inform the user whether the electro-medical device 10 is paired with a remote terminal or is in the pairing process. Here, the first indicator light 561 bears the Bluetooth connectivity symbol. A second indicator light 562 can indicate the charging status or the charging status of the battery, a battery being shown for this purpose. A third indicator light 563 can designate the connector 30 to be used for connecting the sensor 13.It should be noted that the 560 on / off button can also integrate a light indicator which informs the user of the operating status of the electro-medical device 10. .

[0059] The battery 14 is not visible in Figures 1 to 7, but it is symbolically represented in [Fig. 8]. However, the housing 20 has, in the connection area, a power connector 60 which is electrically connected to the battery 14. The connector 60 can also be connected to the electronic components that manage the charging of the battery 14. The power connector 60 is visible in Figures 1 to 9. Here, the power connector 60 is a female connector configured to be connected to a male power connector 70 of the same type. The power connector 60 allows an electrical current to be transmitted to the battery 14 for charging. The power connector 60 can be selected from connectors of the USB-C, USB-A, DIN, etc. types.In the example shown in Figures 1 to 7, the USB-C connector is advantageously chosen because it combines transmission power, ease of use due to its reversibility, and is also very widespread at the time of writing. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 7, the power connector 60 includes a second BB connection axis that extends longitudinally along the connection axis of the male power connector 70.

[0060] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, the first electronic connector 30 and the power connector 60 can be arranged close to each other. In practice, the distance between these two connectors 30, 60 can be less than 5 cm, Preferably, less than 3 cm, and even more preferably less than 2 cm, or even less than 1 cm. The two connectors 30 and 60 are therefore spatially arranged contiguously within the connection area of ​​the housing 20. Furthermore, the two connectors 30 and 60 can be spatially oriented so that their connection axes AA and BB intersect each other. In particular, the two connection axes AA and BB form an angle α of a specific value, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 7. In the example in [Fig. 4], the angle α has a value of approximately 40°, while the example in [Fig. 7] shows an angle α with a value of approximately 90°. The crossing of the AA, BB connection axes and the spatial proximity of the connectors 30, 60 cooperate to oppose a simultaneous connection of these two connectors 30, 60 as illustrated in [Fig.3].In this figure, the male connector 41 of the data cable 40 is connected to the first electronic connector 30 along axis AA, which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the wall 22 of the housing 20. As shown in [Fig. 3], the male connector 41, due to the configuration of the connection area, creates a mechanical obstacle to the connection of the power connector 70 to the power connector 60. The close proximity of connectors 30 and 60, and the intersection of axes AA and BB, result in a small and congested connection area. Thus, when a male connector is connected to one of the connectors 30 and 60, it prevents the simultaneous connection of the other connector 30 and 60 due to the configuration of the connection area. [Fig. 4] shows that when the power connector 70 is connected to the power connector 60, it produces the same mechanical obstacle.According to this embodiment, the supply fitting 70 crosses the axis AA at the angle a and clearly prevents the simultaneous connection of the fitting compatible with the electronic connector 30.

[0061] Depending on the configuration of the connection zone, it is possible to obtain such an effect preventing two simultaneous connections when the value of angle a is less than 150°, preferably when the value of angle a is less than 145°, and even more preferably when the value of angle a is less than 140°. The value of angle a can also be greater than 20°, preferably when the value of angle a is greater than 30°, and even more preferably when the value of angle a is greater than or equal to 40°.

[0062] According to an embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the first electronic connector 30 is integrated on a first plane 23 which is offset from a wall 22, 22a of the housing 20, while the power connector 60 is integrated on a second plane 24 offset from said wall 22, 22a. The two planes 23, 24 intersect so that the connection axes AA, BB cross. The two planes 23, 24 are integrated into the walls 21, 22, 22a of the housing 20 and form the connection area. The planes 23, 24 can, in a certain sense, be considered as walls of the housing 20, in particular within the framework of figures 6 and 7. In the example of [Fig.9], we see that the base of the connector 30 includes a wall which extends in the plane 23.

[0063] According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the housing 20 comprises offset planes 23, 24 and the respective openings provided for the assembly of the connectors 30, 60. In this figure, the offset planes 23, 24 form an angle [3] with a value greater than 90°. In particular, the value of angle [3] is here between 160° and 140°. In this embodiment, the inclination of the offset planes 23, 24 relative to each other provides intersecting connection axes as described above.

[0064] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 and 9, the connectors 30, 60 are arranged in a recess 25 set back or offset from a wall 22, 22a of the housing 20. The recess 25 then forms the connection area of ​​the housing 20. In particular, the second offset plane 24 creates a break with the plane of a wall 22, 22a of the housing 20. The first offset plane 23 is set back from the plane of said wall 22, 22a and extends parallel to said wall 22, 22a of the housing 20. The second plane 24 therefore forms the link between said wall 22, 22a of the housing 20 and the first plane 23.

[0065] A first embodiment is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 and 9. The wall 22, at the level of which the connection area is arranged, has a projecting edge 26 extending around the perimeter of the wall 22. The wall 22 has a flat surface 27 set back from the edge 26. Here, the edge 26 cooperates with the stepped planes 23, 24 to form a recess 25 that is more difficult to access, thus increasing the constraints opposing the simultaneous connection of the two connectors 30, 60. The flat surface 27 also contributes to the mechanical obstruction, since the second stepped plane 24 creates a break in the flat surface 27 near one end of the wall 22. The end of the wall 22 is located near a corner of the housing 20; therefore, the overall size of the connection area is increased by the presence of the edge. 26 which surrounds the flat 27 on three sides at this location.

[0066] The flat 27 can be used for the integration of the human-machine interface as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The flat 27 can also be used by the manufacturer to provide technical and legislative information on the electromedical device 10.

[0067] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment. It can be seen that the respective orientations of the connection axes AA, BB are determined by the integration of each connector 30, 60 into the recess 25 of the housing 20, as well as into the electronic board (not visible). It is therefore the configuration of the connection area of ​​the housing 20 that allows the intersection of these axes. In particular, the inclination of the second stepped plane 24 provides an inclined plane in which the opening 61 of the power connector 60 is formed. As can be seen, The first recessed plane 23 is parallel to the flat surface 27 and is positioned below it in the recess 25. The second recessed plane 24 thus forms the same angle [3] with the flat surface 27 and the first recessed plane 23. The angle [3] essentially characterizes the inclination of the power connector 60 relative to the electronic connector 30, so that the housing 20 has crossed connection axes AA, BB, which prevent the simultaneous connection of these two connectors 30, 60. Note that the orientations of the connectors 30, 60 are maintained in their integration on the electronic board. As illustrated in [Fig. 9], each connector 30, 60 extends along its respective connection axis AA, BB inside the housing 20; their orientation is therefore preserved in their integration on the electronic board.

[0068] According to a second embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the connection area can be in the form of a niche 25 extending into the U-shaped side wall 22. The niche 25 is located on the transverse median axis of the wall 22. Here, the second stepped plane 24 creates a break from an edge of the wall 22 and is inclined towards the first stepped plane 23. The latter is not visible because the connector 30 protrudes from the first stepped plane 23 and occupies a large part of the available space.

[0069] In particular, the connector 30 has a cannula whose annular end 31 is flush with the plane of the wall 22. Here, the power connector 60 has an opening 61 that corresponds to the connection port, the opening 61 being located below the plane in which the annular end 31 of the connector 30 extends. Furthermore, the opening 61 extends into the second stepped plane 24, which is inclined relative to the annular end 31, which extends in a plane parallel to the first stepped plane 23. This inclination of the opening 61 provides intersecting connection axes AA, BB, which do not allow simultaneous connection of the two connectors 30, 60 due to the spatial proximity of the connectors 30, 60. Such a configuration is also present in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. According to this embodiment, the annular end 31 is located substantially in the plane of the flat surface 27 of wall 22.The opening 61 is located below the plane of the flat surface 27, as is particularly visible in [Fig. 2]. In particular, the opening 61 is formed in the second stepped plane 24 and therefore has an inclination relative to the connector 30 and its cannula.

[0070] Note that in [Fig.5], the human / machine interface 56 is provided on the front wall 21 of the housing 20.

[0071] According to a third embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the second recessed plane 24 is arranged perpendicularly to the wall 22a on one side and to the first recessed plane 23 on the other. Thus, the wall 22a has a recess that forms the niche 25 of the connection zone. The niche 25 The connection area thus has an L-shaped or half-U-shaped configuration. Connector 60 is located in the second recessed plane 24, while connector 30 is located in the first recessed plane 23. This arrangement helps to position the two connection axes AA and BB almost perpendicularly, within a few degrees. Here, the annular end 31 of connector 30 is flush with the face of the first recessed plane 23, and the opening 61 of the power connector 60 is located in a plane above the first recessed plane 23.

[0072] Although this spatial organization of the connectors 30, 60 differs from those of other embodiments, the correlation between the spatial proximity of the two connectors 30, 60 and the crossing of the connection axes AA, BB of the connectors 30, 60 opposes the simultaneous connection of the two connectors 30, 60. As described previously, the distance between the two connectors 30, 60 can be less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm and even more preferably less than 2 cm, better still the distance can be less than 1 cm.

[0073] As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the housing 20 may include a second electronic connector 80. Here, the connector 80 is a jack type. However, any type of data connector may be used as a replacement, in particular those used in the healthcare and medical fields such as ODU MINLMED®, LEMO®, Fisher®, Smith®, Attend®, etc. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the connector 80 is also adjacent to the power connector 60. The spatial proximity between the second electronic connector 80 and the power connector 60 is of the same order of magnitude as that between the first electronic connector 30 and the power connector 60.

[0074] In this example, connector 80 is adjacent to connector 30; they are both located on the first recessed plane 23. More precisely, the second electronic connector 80 is interposed between connector 30 and the second recessed plane 24, on which the power connector 60 is located. This configuration gives connector 80 a third connection axis CC that is parallel to the connection axis AA of the first electronic connector 30. Consequently, the third connection axis CC is perpendicular to the connection axis BB of the power connector 60. The angle Q between the connection axes BB and CC is therefore identical to the angle α formed by the connection axes AA and BB. Again, the spatial proximity between connectors 60 and 80 and the intersection of their connection axes BB and CC preclude the simultaneous use of these two connectors 60 and 80.

[0075] On the other hand, the adjacent position of the electronic connectors 30, 80 on the same plane provides parallel connection axes AA, CC. Furthermore, the spacing between the two connectors 30, 80 is admittedly small, for example less than 5 cm or even less than 3 cm and even less than 1 cm, However, their position in the same plane allows simultaneous connection of these two electronic connectors 30, 80. Having two identical or different electronic connectors allows the electro-medical device 10 to be connected to two distinct physiological sensors in order to collect different types of data synchronously.

[0076] This can be useful when a practitioner needs to perform complex examinations that require the simultaneous acquisition of data such as intracranial pressure and a patient's cerebral impedance. Cerebral impedance corresponds to the resistance that brain tissues produce to the passage of an electrical current. Cerebral impedance can be measured using several techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG). Sensors placed on the patient's skull can be used to measure the brain's electrical or electromagnetic signals.

[0077] Simultaneous measurements of cerebral impedance and intracranial pressure allow clinicians to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of the patient's neurological status. This can be useful for monitoring or diagnosing several brain-related pathologies or abnormalities: hydrocephalus, head trauma, brain tumors, cerebral edema, brain infections, intracranial hemorrhages, intracranial hypertensive crises, idiopathic intracranial tension syndrome, etc. EEG or EMG sensors may have different connectors; for example, the EEG sensor generally has a male jack connector, while the intracranial pressure sensor may be, for example, of the ODU MINL MED® type. Thus, the two connectors 30 and 80 illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 allow for the simultaneous acquisition of both readings within the electro-medical device 10.The two signals can be processed simultaneously or one after the other by electronic means and then transmitted to the remote terminal 11 as illustrated in [Fig.8].

[0078] It should be noted that the two preceding embodiments described in Figures 1 to 6 and 9 can also include two or even three electronic connectors. This is to collect data from several physiological sensors performing synchronous acquisitions. To introduce more electronic connectors while retaining the advantages of the invention, the connection area can be enlarged, and in particular the first recessed plane 23 on which the connector 30 is located. The additional connector is provided adjacent to the connector 30, close to it so that the power connector 60 cannot be connected simultaneously.

[0079] As illustrated in [Fig. 8], according to one embodiment, the invention may also relate to a 90-meter physiological data measurement kit for a patient. This kit Measurement 90 can be adapted to measure a patient's intracranial pressure or arterial pressure. For this purpose, the kit includes an electro-medical device 10 conforming to an embodiment of the invention and a physiological sensor 13. Preferably, the physiological sensor 13 is configured to measure the pressure of a patient's physiological fluid as previously explained. However, the kit may also include the electro-medical device 10 conforming to an embodiment of the invention combined with another physiological data sensor, such as a pressure sensor.

Claims

Demands

1. Electromedical device (10) configured to relay, to a remote terminal, an analog signal representative of a patient's physiological data such as intracranial pressure or the patient's arterial pressure, the electromedical device (10) comprising a housing (20) which includes: - a rechargeable battery (14) disposed in an internal space of the housing (20) and supplying electrical energy to the electromedical device (10), - a first electronic connector (30) which includes a first AA connection pin, the first AA connection pin allowing the first electronic connector (30) to be connected to a connection of a physiological sensor producing the incoming analog signal, - a power connector (60) which is electrically connected to the battery (14) and is configured to be connected to a power supply in order to transmit an electrical current to the battery (14) for the purpose of recharging it,The power connector (60) comprising a second connection axis BB, the first electronic connector (30) and the power connector (60) are, on the one hand, spatially arranged contiguously in a connection area of ​​the housing (20), and on the other hand, spatially oriented such that the first connection axis AA intersects the second connection axis BB, the intersection of the first connection axis AA and the second connection axis BB and the spatial proximity of the connectors (30, 60) preventing the simultaneous connection of the first electronic connector (30) and the power connector (60).

2. Electro-medical device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first electronic connector (30) and the power connector (60) are provided in a niche (25) arranged recessed or offset from a wall (22, 22a) of the housing (20), the niche (25) then forming the connection area of ​​the housing (20).

3. Electro-medical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the first electronic connector (30) is integrated on a first plane offset (23) with respect to a wall (22, 22a) of the housing (20), the power connector (60) being integrated on a second plane offset (24) with respect to said wall (22, 22a), the first offset plane (23) and the second offset plane (24) being intersecting so that the connection axes AA and BB intersect.

4. Electro-medical device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the second stepped plane (24) creates a break with the plane of said wall (22, 22a) of the housing (20), the first stepped plane (23) being set back from the plane of said wall and extending parallel to said wall, the second stepped plane (24) making the connection between said wall and the first stepped plane (23).

5. Electro-medical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection area is disposed on a wall (22, 22a) of the housing (20) which has a protruding edge (26), said wall having a flat (27) disposed in recess from the protruding edge (26).

6. Electro-medical device (10) according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the first stepped plane (23) and the second stepped plane (24) together with the protruding edge (26) form a niche (25) set back from the flat (27).

7. Electro-medical device (10) according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the first stepped plane (23) and the second stepped plane (24) form a shoulder in a wall (22, 22a) of the housing (20).

8. Electro-medical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first electronic connector (30) comprises a cannula whose annular end (31) is disposed in a plane raised relative to the power connector (60), the power connector (60) being inclined relative to the cannula.

9. Electro-medical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first connecting axis AA and the second connecting axis BB form an angle a whose value is less than 150°, preferably the value of angle a is less than 145°, and even more preferably the value of angle a is less than 140°.

10. Electro-medical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing (20) comprises a second electronic connector (80) contiguous to the power connector (60), the second electronic connector (80) comprising a third DC connection pin, the third DC connection pin being secant of the connection axis BB of the power connector (60), the spatial proximity between the power connector (60) and the second electronic connector (80) and the crossing of their connection axes BB, CC opposing the simultaneous connection of the second electronic connector (80) and the power connector (60).

11. Electro-medical device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the second electronic connector (80) is arranged in the same plane as the first electronic connector (30).

12. Electro-medical device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which includes electronic means (50) comprising: - a digital converter (51) configured to convert the incoming analog signal into a digital signal, and - a remote transmitter / receiver (54) configured to transmit the digital signal to a remote terminal.

13. Electro-medical device (10) according to claim 12, wherein the electronic means (50) comprise an internal memory (53) configured to store the converted digital signal.

14. Electro-medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a human / machine interface (56) provided on a wall (21, 22, 22a) of the housing (20), the human / machine interface (56) comprising one or more buttons (560) and / or one or more indicator lights (561, 562, 563).

15. A patient physiological data measurement kit (90) such as intracranial pressure or blood pressure of a patient, the measurement kit (90) comprising an electro-medical device (10) defined according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a physiological sensor (13) configured to measure the pressure of a patient's physiological fluid.

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