Blood purification device, blood purification system, and information transfer method

Abstract

To easily and accurately transfer information and reduce a lead time until treatment is resumed.SOLUTION: A blood purification device that purifies blood of a patient includes: a storage part that stores patient information including unique data and treatment data of the patient; an output part that outputs the patient information to the outside via an information acquisition device used by an operator of the blood purification device; a communication part that transmits the patient information to the outside by using a communication line; and a control part that controls either the output part and the communication part to transfer the patient information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, a blood purification system, and an information transfer method for transferring patient information, and in particular to a technique for transferring patient information from one blood purification device to another blood purification device. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of blood purification treatment, dialysis treatment using a blood purification device having a dialyzer and a blood circuit has been known. In this dialysis treatment, blood taken from a patient is circulated extracorporeally through a blood circuit, purified using a dialyzer connected to the blood circuit, and the purified blood is returned to the patient. In medical facilities such as hospitals, multiple blood purification devices are installed in dialysis rooms, making it possible to perform dialysis treatment under different conditions for multiple patients.

[0003] When performing such dialysis treatment, individual treatment conditions determined for each patient are preset in the blood purification device. This preset setting is performed by the operator of the blood purification device (a medical professional such as a doctor or nurse) or by transmitting the treatment conditions to each blood purification device from a server in a medical facility. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a blood purification device to be used breaks down, specific information about the patient and the other blood purification device is transmitted from the other blood purification device to a server, and the treatment conditions calculated by the server are returned to the other blood purification device.

[0004] Furthermore, the treatment conditions and various information set in the blood purification device are stored in a server and subjected to various analyses. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses that an image displayed on the display of the blood purification device is captured by an image capture device, and the image is transmitted from the image capture device to a server. Furthermore, the server decodes the treatment conditions and various information from the received image.

[0005] During dialysis treatment, due to a malfunction of a blood purification device or other reasons, dialysis treatment may be interrupted and treatment continued with another blood purification device, or the dialysis treatment may be discontinued. When continuing treatment with another blood purification device, it is important that the patient and various information can be transferred quickly from the unusable blood purification device (initial device) to the newly selected blood purification device (alternate device), and that the lead time until treatment is resumed is short. This is because, if it takes a long time to resume treatment, the patient's blood may stagnate in the blood circuit, increasing the risk of blood clotting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-181726 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2014-517709 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the preferred method for transferring various information varies depending on the condition of the blood purification device or the installation environment of the blood purification device, and it has not been possible to fully address this, making it difficult to shorten the lead time until treatment can be resumed.

[0008] For example, in the blood purification system disclosed in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to transmit treatment conditions from a server to an alternative device, it is not possible to retrieve treatment progress information from the initial device, resulting in insufficient transfer of various information to the alternative device. Furthermore, in the blood purification system disclosed in Patent Document 1, specific information about the patient and alternative device must be entered on the alternative device side, which can lead to human error such as input errors and can take a long time to enter. Furthermore, the method for transferring information disclosed in Patent Document 2 is limited to using images related to various information and an image capture device, so transferring information may be impossible or take a long time depending on the state of the blood purification device or the installation environment of the blood purification device.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a blood purification device, a blood purification system, and an information transfer method that enable easy and accurate information transfer and shorten the lead time until treatment can be resumed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided "a blood purification device for purifying the blood of a patient, comprising: a memory unit for storing patient information including the patient's unique data and treatment data; an output unit for outputting the patient information to the outside via an information acquisition device used by an operator of the blood purification device; a communication unit for transmitting the patient information to the outside using a communication line; and a control unit for controlling either the output unit or the communication unit to transfer the patient information."

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a blood purification system comprising: a first blood purification apparatus that purifies a patient's blood; a second blood purification apparatus selected as an alternative to the first blood purification apparatus; and a server connected to the first and second blood purification apparatuses via a communication line, wherein the first blood purification apparatus comprises: a memory unit that stores patient information including the patient's unique data and treatment data; an output unit that outputs the patient information to the outside via an information acquisition device used by an operator of the first blood purification apparatus; a communication unit that transmits the patient information to the server using the communication line; and a control unit that controls either the output unit or the communication unit and performs processing to transfer the patient information to the second blood purification apparatus.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information transfer method for transferring patient information from a blood purification device that purifies the blood of a patient, the information transfer method comprising the steps of: storing the patient information, including the patient's unique data and treatment data, in a memory unit of the blood purification device; selecting either an operator-intervention type transfer method in which the patient information is transferred by outputting the patient information to the outside via an information acquisition device used by the operator of the blood purification device; or a communication-type transfer method in which the patient information is transferred by transmitting the patient information to the outside using a communication line; and transferring the patient information based on the selected transfer method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a blood purification device, a blood purification system, and an information transfer method that enable easy and accurate information transfer and shorten the lead time until treatment can be resumed.

[0014] It should be noted that the above effects are merely examples for the sake of convenience of explanation, and the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to these. In addition to the above effects, the present disclosure can achieve any of the effects described herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood purification system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a state in which the blood purification device according to the first embodiment is in use. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the blood purification device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the hospital server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9B] 4 is an example of a screen displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9C] 4 is an example of a screen displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9D] 4 shows an example of an identification marker displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9E] 4 is an example of patient information displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9F] 10 is an example of transition procedure information displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9G] 10 is an example of transition procedure information displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9H] 4 is an example of difference information displayed in the blood purification apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram relating to information transfer in a blood purification apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the selection of a transition method in the blood purification apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram relating to information transfer in a blood purification apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram relating to information transfer in a blood purification apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram relating to information transfer in the blood purification system according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The blood purification device and blood purification system including the same according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the content described below and can be modified as desired without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The drawings used in each embodiment are schematic illustrations of the blood purification device and blood purification system including the same according to the present disclosure. To facilitate understanding, some parts may be emphasized, enlarged, reduced, or omitted, and the scale and shape of each component may not be accurately represented. Furthermore, some numerical values ​​used in each embodiment are merely examples and can be modified as necessary. The same reference symbols are used to designate components that are common to all drawings.

[0017] First Embodiment (Blood purification system configuration) First, the configuration of a blood purification system including a blood purification apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a blood purification system 1 according to this embodiment. In particular, Fig. 1 shows the communication relationships between the constituent devices of the blood purification system 1.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a blood purification system 1 according to this embodiment includes multiple blood purification apparatuses 3 installed in a hospital 2, which is an example of a treatment facility, an in-hospital server (in-facility server) 4, and a mobile terminal 5. Also shown in FIG. 1, the blood purification system 1 also includes a cloud server (out-of-facility server) 7 communicably connected to the in-hospital blood purification apparatuses 3 via a network 6. The treatment facility is not limited to a hospital, and may be any other facility capable of providing blood purification treatment. Furthermore, the network 6 may be configured wirelessly, wired, or a combination of these.

[0019] In the hospital 2, the blood purification apparatus 3, the hospital server 4, and the mobile terminal 5 are communicably connected to each other via an in-hospital network (wireless, wired, or a combination of these). In FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 5 is connected only to the in-hospital server 4, but is also communicably connected to the blood purification apparatus 3. The in-hospital server 4 and the mobile terminal 5 located in the hospital 2 may be communicably connected to a cloud server 7 via a network 6. If the in-hospital server 4 functions as a communication server, the blood purification apparatus 3 and the mobile terminal 5 may communicate with the cloud server 7 outside the hospital via the in-hospital server 4.

[0020] In the blood purification system 1, each blood purification device 3 performs blood purification treatment for a patient. Its specific configuration will be described later. Each blood purification device 3 can transmit various data and information acquired within the device to the hospital server 4 or the cloud server 7. Here, data is basically assumed to consist of numerical values, symbols, characters, etc., obtained by processing signals, etc. Information is basically assumed to be collected or processed data, such as information that the recipient can use for subsequent consideration or to utilize. However, data and information may be used in a manner that does not conform to the above assumptions, depending on their content and context. Although only two blood purification devices 3 are shown in Figure 1, the number of blood purification devices 3 is not limited to this, and the blood purification system 1 may have three or more blood purification devices 3. Furthermore, the blood purification devices 3 are not limited to devices of the same type, but may be devices of different types or versions.

[0021] The hospital server 4 is a computer that manages various data and information in the hospital 2 and processes this data and information; its specific configuration will be described later. For example, the hospital server 4 may process data or information received from the blood purification apparatus 3 and transmit the processing results to the blood purification apparatus 3 or the mobile terminal 5. The hospital server 4 may not only be physically installed inside the hospital 2, but may also be installed outside the hospital 2 and function as a server for the hospital 2. Although the hospital server 4 is depicted as a single server in FIG. 1, the various configurations and processes of the hospital server 4, which will be described later, can be distributed to multiple other server devices. In this case, when distributing the functions of the hospital server 4, some of the server may be located inside the hospital 2 and the rest may be located outside the hospital.

[0022] The mobile terminal 5 processes the various types of data it receives and transmits them to the blood purification apparatus 3 or the hospital server 4; its specific configuration will be described later. For example, the mobile terminal 5 may be a wireless communication device, such as a smartphone, but is not limited to this. For example, the mobile terminal 5 may be a feature phone, a personal digital assistant, a PDA, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer. Although only one mobile terminal 5 is shown in FIG. 1, the number of mobile terminals 5 is not limited to this, and the blood purification system 1 may have two or more mobile terminals 5.

[0023] The cloud server 7, like the in-hospital server 4, is a computer that manages various data and information in the hospital 2 and processes this data and information, and its specific configuration will be described later. For example, the cloud server 7 may process data or information received from the blood purification apparatus 3 and transmit the processing results to the blood purification apparatus 3. Although FIG. 1 shows the cloud server 7 as a single server, it is also possible to distribute the various configurations and processes of the cloud server 7, which will be described later, to multiple other server devices.

[0024] The blood purification system 1 need only be able to transfer patient information about a patient receiving blood purification treatment from one blood purification apparatus 3 (initial apparatus 3a, described below) to another blood purification apparatus (alternative apparatus 3b, described below), and does not necessarily need to include all of the in-hospital server 4, mobile terminal 5, and cloud server 7. That is, in an environment where external communication is not possible, the blood purification system 1 may not have the cloud server 7 because it cannot connect to the cloud server 7. Furthermore, if information management for the hospital 2 can be performed using only the cloud server 7, without providing the in-hospital server 4, the blood purification system 1 may not have the in-hospital server 4. Furthermore, the blood purification system 1 may not have the mobile terminal 5, and the patient information may be transferred without using the mobile terminal 5.

[0025] The patient information includes the patient's unique data and treatment data. The unique data includes data for identifying the patient and various data related to the patient. For example, the unique data may include data related to the patient's treatment, such as the patient's name, gender, weight, height, and blood pressure. Furthermore, the unique data may include an ID for identifying the patient. Meanwhile, the treatment data may include data on treatment conditions, data on medical equipment, data on accessories (specification information) attached to the blood purification device, data on administered medications (anticoagulants), and data on the patient's treatment progress. Specifically, the treatment conditions may include treatment time, treatment mode (type), and prescribed amount. The accessories may include a blood circuit, a blood purifier (dialyzer), a syringe, saline, and dialysis fluid. The treatment progress data is data related to the patient's past and ongoing treatments, and may include internal parameters, temperature, concentration, and pressure of the blood purification device 3.

[0026] (Configuration of blood purification device) Next, the configuration of the blood purification apparatus of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the usage state of the blood purification apparatus 3 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the blood purification apparatus 3 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a functional block diagram related to information transfer of the blood purification apparatus 3 according to this embodiment, particularly as an initial device 3a, which is the device from which information is transferred. Figure 5 is a functional block diagram related to information transfer of the blood purification apparatus 3 according to this embodiment, particularly as an alternative device 3b, which is the device to which information is transferred.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the blood purification apparatus 3 is composed of a dialysis machine for performing dialysis treatment on patient H. Specifically, the blood purification apparatus 3 has a main body 12 installed on a base unit 11, an input / output unit 13 connected to the top of the main body 12, and a blood purifier 14 installed on the side of the main body 12. The main body 12 of the blood purification apparatus 3 also has an internal piping unit 15 for circulating a dialysate between the main body 12 and the blood purifier 14, an extracorporeal circulation unit 16 for circulating the blood, which is the body fluid of patient H, outside the body, and an information processing device 17. With this configuration, the blood purification apparatus 3 can extract the blood of patient H from the body, remove unnecessary or toxic substances or water from the blood in the blood purifier 14, and return the purified blood to patient H.

[0028] The base unit 11 is composed of a plate-shaped base 11a connected to the bottom of the main body 12 and four casters 11b attached to the base 11a. This allows for easy movement of the blood purification device 3. The number of casters 11b is not limited to four, and may be three or five or more as long as it allows the blood purification device 3 to be moved.

[0029] The main body 12 is composed of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing. Inside and on the surface of the main body 12, various components and parts that make up the blood purification apparatus 3 are arranged. Examples of the components include pumps such as a duplex pump, a water removal pump, a degassing pump, a pressurizing pump, a stock solution pump, and a blood pump, as well as various detectors.

[0030] The input / output unit 13 includes a display 13a and an input / output port 13b for connecting an external storage device (not shown). The display 13a and the input / output port 13b do not need to be provided side by side, and the input / output port 13b may be installed on the front or rear of the main body 12. The input / output port 13b may also be separated into an input port and an output port.

[0031] 3, the blood purification device 3 has a display 13a, an input / output port 13b, an internal piping section 15, an extracorporeal circulation section 16, an information processing device 17, a communication section 18, and a reading section 19 electrically connected to one another via control lines and data lines. This allows the various electrical components in the blood purification device 3 to send and receive signals, data, and information, and also enables various controls by the information processing device 17.

[0032] In this embodiment, a hemodialysis device is described as an example of the blood purification device 3, but the blood purification device 3 is not limited to this. For example, an acute blood purification device, a peritoneal dialysis device, an ultrafiltration device, or a hemofiltration device can also be an example of the blood purification device 3. In other words, in the present disclosure, any device can be used as long as it can perform the process of transferring patient information from the blood purification device 3.

[0033] 〔display〕 Next, the display 13a has a touch panel type input interface and a general screen type output interface. That is, the display 13a in this embodiment is a touch panel with an input / output interface and has input and output functions. Here, the input detection method by the touch panel may be any method such as a capacitance type or a resistive film type.

[0034] The input interface may be separated from the display 13a. In this case, the blood purification apparatus 3 may be provided with an input device such as a keyboard with physical key buttons, such as a numeric keypad or character input keys, and a mouse.

[0035] [Input / Output Ports] The input / output port 13b is composed of interface terminals used for inputting and outputting information and data to and from various devices connected to the outside of the blood purification apparatus 3. That is, the input / output port 13b can connect to various external storage devices (not shown), which are a type of information acquisition device, and has an input / output function that enables input and output of information and data between the blood purification apparatus 3 and the external storage devices. For example, external storage devices that can be connected to the input / output port 13b may be USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, CF (CompactFlash) cards, or NFC (Near Field Communication) cards.

[0036] [Blood purifier] The blood purifier 14 has a blood inlet and a blood outlet as blood-side ports at both ends of its housing, and also has a dialysate inlet and a dialysate outlet as dialysate-side ports on the side of its housing. The arterial blood circuit L21 is connected to the blood inlet, and the venous blood circuit L22 is connected to the outlet.

[0037] The blood purifier 14 contains a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (not shown), which form a blood purification membrane for purifying blood. A blood flow path through which the blood of patient H flows and a dialysate flow path through which the dialysate flows are formed inside the blood purifier 14 via the blood purification membrane. The hollow fiber membranes that form the blood purification membrane have many minute pores that penetrate from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface, allowing impurities in the blood to permeate into the dialysate via the hollow fiber membranes.

[0038] The blood purifier 14 is not limited to a dialyzer having the above-described configuration. For example, it may be an adsorption-type blood purifier used in endotoxin adsorption therapy, activated carbon adsorption therapy, bilirubin adsorption therapy, etc. The blood purifier 14 may also be a hemodiafilter.

[0039] [Internal piping section] The internal piping section 15 is provided inside the main body 12 and is connected via piping L23 to two terminals provided on the side of the blood purifier 14. For example, the internal piping section 15 has various components such as piping, pumps, valves, sensors, and filters. More specifically, the internal piping section 15 may have a duplex pump, a water removal pump, a degassing pump, a pressure pump, a pressure reducing valve, an electromagnetic valve, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a chemical filter, and the like. Furthermore, flexible materials such as polyvinyl chloride tubing or silicone tubing may be used for the piping.

[0040] The internal piping section 15 is assembled by appropriately selecting the above-mentioned parts according to the piping configuration and model, and has a structure that enables the circulation and cleaning of the dialysate. The internal piping section 15 also has a structure that enables the introduction and discharge of the dialysate to and from the blood purifier 14. Note that these specific configurations are not characteristic of the blood purification device of the present disclosure, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] [Extracorporeal circulation department] The extracorporeal circulation unit 16 has a structure in which an arterial blood circuit L21 is connected to the blood inlet side of the blood purifier 14, and a venous blood circuit L22 is connected to the blood outlet side of the blood purifier 14. A liquid level control circuit (not shown) is connected between the arterial blood circuit L21 and the venous blood circuit L22 so as to bypass the blood purifier 14. For example, the extracorporeal circulation unit 16 has various components such as circuits, pumps, valves, sensors, and detectors. More specifically, the extracorporeal circulation unit 16 may have connectors, solenoid valves, an air bubble detector, a blood pump, a blood concentration detector, an air trap chamber, and the like. Furthermore, for example, each circuit may be made of a flexible material such as polyvinyl chloride tubing or silicone tubing.

[0042] When the blood purification device 3 is operated to purify the blood of patient H, an arterial puncture needle and a venous puncture needle (neither shown) are connected to the connector of the extracorporeal circulation unit, and each puncture needle is inserted into the arm of patient H. Then, in the arterial blood circuit L21, the amount and concentration of blood extracted from patient H are detected, and in the venous blood circuit L22, the amount and concentration of blood to be returned to patient H are detected.

[0043] The operations of the above-mentioned solenoid valves, various pumps, and various detectors constituting the internal piping section 15 and the extracorporeal circulation section 16 are controlled based on control signals supplied from the information processing device 17. Furthermore, these solenoid valves, pumps, and detectors can transmit status parameters indicating the operating status of each component device or component part, or the blood purification apparatus 3 having these, to the information processing device 17. For example, these solenoid valves, pumps, and detectors may transmit status parameters measured by various built-in sensors to the information processing device 17. In other words, the status parameters may be measured values ​​measured by the various sensors. Note that if various sensors are not built-in, the status parameters may be measured and transmitted by various sensors arranged near each component device or component part.

[0044] Similarly, each of the pressure sensors described above can also transmit measured values ​​to the information processing device 17. This enables the information processing device 17 to acquire various state parameters that indicate the operating state of the extracorporeal circulation unit 16 of the blood purification device 3. On the other hand, since each of the connectors, filters, and air trap chambers described above does not have a sensing function, their respective usage status may be determined by a temperature sensor or pressure sensor provided nearby.

[0045] [Communications Department] 3, the communication unit 18 is composed of a communication processing circuit 18a and an antenna 18b. The communication unit 18 transmits and receives information to and from the in-hospital server 4, the mobile terminal 5, and the cloud server 7, which are installed remotely from the blood purification apparatus 3, via the communication processing circuit 18a and the antenna 18b.

[0046] The communication processing circuit 18a may execute processing based on a wideband wireless communication system such as the LTE system. The communication processing circuit 18a may also execute processing based on a system related to narrowband wireless communication such as a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11 or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Furthermore, the communication processing circuit 18a may execute processing based on a system related to contactless wireless communication. The communication processing circuit 18a may also use wired communication instead of or in addition to such wireless communication.

[0047] [Reading unit] The reading unit 19 is an example of an information acquisition device, and is a general reader device for one-dimensional or two-dimensional identification markers. In this embodiment, the reading unit 19 reads the identification marker displayed on the display 13a of another blood purification device 3 (i.e., the initial device 3a) or the display of the mobile terminal 5. For example, the reading unit 19 optically detects the identification marker and converts it into specific information (patient information) by analyzing the pattern of black and white parts (blank parts).

[0048] Specifically, the reading unit 19 may have a light source and an optical sensor, and may also have a structure for scanning the identification marker. In this case, the output of the optical sensor is amplified and digitized from a weak analog signal. In particular, since the reflectance of blank areas is high, they are converted into a digital signal representing "0," and since the reflectance of black areas is low, they are converted into a digital signal representing "1." The pattern is then decoded by the information processing device 17, and the information can be output via various interfaces.

[0049] The reading unit 19 may be connected to the main body 12 by an extendable cable. This allows the reading unit 19 to be separated from the main body 12 and brought closer to the identification marker to be read. If the blood purification device 3 does not read identification markers, the reading unit 19 does not need to be provided.

[0050] [Information processing device] As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 17 according to this embodiment includes a processor 17a and a memory 17b.

[0051] The processor 17a is composed of a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and functions as a control unit that controls other connected components or devices based on various programs stored in the memory 17b. Specifically, the processor 17a reads and executes a program for executing the blood purification process or a program for executing the OS from the memory 17b. The processor 17a also executes processes related to information transfer and initial setting in the blood purification device 3. The processor 17a may be composed of a single GPU or CPU, or may be composed of a combination of multiple GPUs or CPUs.

[0052] The memory 17b is composed of ROM, RAM, nonvolatile memory, HDD, etc., and functions as a storage unit. The ROM stores instructions and commands for executing the blood purification process as a program. The ROM also stores instructions and commands for executing processes related to information transfer and initial setup in the blood purification device 3 as a program. The RAM is used to write and read data while the program stored in the ROM is being processed by the processor 17a. The nonvolatile memory is a storage device into which data is written and read by the execution of the program, and the data written therein is retained even after the execution of the program has ended.

[0053] As described above, in this embodiment, a program for processing related to the initial setting of information transfer processing in the blood purification apparatus 3 and transfer method data indicating the details thereof are stored. In particular, programs related to four types of transfer methods and transfer method data indicating the details thereof are stored in memory 17b. Specifically, a first transfer method is stored in which an identification marker related to patient information is generated and displayed on display 13a, and information transfer is performed by reading the marker with a reading device such as a portable terminal 5. A second transfer method is stored in which patient information is stored in an external storage device via input / output port 13b and information transfer is performed. A third transfer method is stored in which patient information is transmitted to the in-hospital server 4 via the communication unit 18 and information transfer is performed. A fourth transfer method is stored in which patient information is transmitted to the cloud server 7 via the communication unit 18 and information transfer is performed. Here, the first and second transfer methods are methods requiring intervention by the operator of the blood purification apparatus 3 (operator-intervention-type transfer methods), while the third and fourth transfer methods are methods that can be performed automatically without operator intervention (communication-type transfer methods). The processing executed by the program will be described later.

[0054] In the first transfer method, patient information is converted into an identification marker, and information transfer is performed by reading the identification marker, thereby ensuring information security. In the second transfer method, information transfer is performed by inserting and removing an external storage device, making information transfer easier than in the first transfer method. On the other hand, in the third and fourth transfer methods, information transfer is performed automatically using a communication line, eliminating the need for operator intervention and reducing the burden associated with information transfer.

[0055] Furthermore, the memory 17b stores at least one of the first to fourth transfer methods initially selected by the operator as initial selection information. That is, the memory 17b stores methods selected as candidates for transfer methods when it becomes necessary to transfer patient information. The flow of the initial selection and the storage of the initial selection information will be described later.

[0056] Furthermore, the memory 17b stores the latest patient information related to the treatment of the patient. The memory 17b also stores migration procedure information, which is a procedure related to the migration of the patient information, and difference information between the old and new patient information. The contents of this information will be described later.

[0057] (Functional configuration of information processing device) Next, the functional configuration of the blood purification apparatus 3 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4 and 5 are functional block diagrams relating to information transfer in the blood purification apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment. In particular, Figure 4 shows the functional configuration when the blood purification apparatus 3 is the source of information transfer (i.e., the initial apparatus 3a), and Figure 5 shows the functional configuration when the blood purification apparatus 3 is the destination of information transfer (i.e., the alternative apparatus 3b). Figures 4 and 5 also show the flow of information and data between each component.

[0058] 4 and 5, the information processing device 17 includes a control unit 21 and a storage unit 22. The control unit 21 also includes a selected image generation unit 21a, an identification marker generation unit 21b, and a calculation unit 21c. These units are realized by the processor 17a and memory 17b of the information processing device 17 functioning themselves, or by the processor 17a reading and executing a program stored in the memory 17b.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 4, when the blood purification apparatus 3 is the initial apparatus 3a from which information is transferred, the selection image generator 21a receives four transfer method data for patient information stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (A in Fig. 4: transfer method data) and generates an initial selection image for the operator to select a transfer method in the initial stage. The selection image generator 21a also transmits the generated initial selection image to the display 13a (B in Fig. 4: initial selection image). Furthermore, the selection image generator 21a receives from the display 13a initial selection information input by the operator of the blood purification apparatus 3 operating the display 13a (C in Fig. 4: initial selection information). The selection image generator 21a then transmits the received initial selection information to the storage unit 22 (D in Fig. 4: initial selection information), and the initial selection information is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0060] When treatment is interrupted due to a malfunction or other reason of the initial device 3a, which is the blood purification device 3, the selection image generator 21a receives the initial selection information stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (D in Fig. 4: initial selection information) and generates a final selection image for the operator to select a transfer method at the stage when the information transfer is actually performed. The selection image generator 21a also transmits the generated final selection image to the display 13a (E in Fig. 4: final selection image). Furthermore, the selection image generator 21a receives from the display 13a operator selection information input by the operator of the blood purification device 3 operating the display 13a (F in Fig. 4: operator selection information).

[0061] When the final information transfer method is selected, the control unit 21 receives the patient information stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (G: patient information in FIG. 4). The control unit 21 then executes the patient information transfer process based on the selected information transfer method. That is, the control unit 21 controls either the input / output unit 13 or the communication unit 18 to execute the patient information transfer process. Specifically, when the first transfer method using an identification marker is selected, the identification marker generation unit 21b generates an identification marker corresponding to the patient information, transmits the identification marker to the display (H1: identification marker in FIG. 4), and displays the identification marker on the display 13a. When the second transfer method using an external storage device is selected, the control unit 21 transmits the received patient information to the input / output port 13b (H2: patient information in FIG. 4), and stores the patient information in the external storage device connected to the input / output port 13b. If the third or fourth migration method using the in-hospital server 4 or the cloud server 7 is selected, the control unit 21 transmits the received patient information to the destination server via the communication unit 18 (H3: patient information in Figure 4).

[0062] As shown in Fig. 5, when the blood purification apparatus 3 is the alternative apparatus 3b to which information is to be transferred, data or information required for information transfer is input. Specifically, when the first transfer method using an identification marker is selected in the initial apparatus 3a, the control unit 21 receives the identification marker read by the reading unit 19 (J1: identification marker in Fig. 5). When the second transfer method using an external storage device is selected in the initial apparatus 3a, the control unit 21 reads patient information from the external storage device connected to the input / output port 13b and receives the patient information via the input / output port 13b (J2: patient information in Fig. 5). When the third or fourth transfer method using the in-hospital server 4 or the cloud server 7 is selected in the initial apparatus 3a, the control unit 21 receives the patient information, the transfer procedure method, and the difference information from the source server via the communication unit 18 (J3: patient information, transfer procedure method, difference information in Fig. 5).

[0063] The control unit 21 transmits the received information to the storage unit 22, and the patient information, etc. are stored in the storage unit 22. Specifically, when the first transition method using the identification markers is selected, the calculation unit 21c performs image processing on the received identification markers to acquire patient information. The calculation unit 21c also reads out past patient information stored in the storage unit 22, compares it with newly acquired patient information from the identification markers, and generates difference information. The calculation unit 21c also generates transition procedure information based on the patient information and difference information. The calculation unit 21c then transmits the acquired patient information and the generated difference information and transition procedure information to the storage unit 22 (K in FIG. 5: patient information, transition procedure information, difference information), and this information is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0064] When the second transfer method using an external storage device is selected in the initial device 3a, the calculation unit 21c reads out past patient information stored in the storage unit 22, compares it with the patient information received via the input / output port 13b, and generates difference information. Furthermore, the calculation unit 21c also generates transfer procedure information based on the patient information and the difference information. The calculation unit 21c then transmits the acquired patient information and the generated difference information and transfer procedure information to the storage unit 22 (K in FIG. 5: patient information, transfer procedure information, difference information), and this information is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0065] If the third or fourth migration method using the in-hospital server 4 or the cloud server 7 is selected in the initial device 3a, the control unit 21 transmits the received patient information, difference information, and migration procedure information to the memory unit 22 (K in Figure 5: patient information, migration procedure information, difference information), and this information is stored in the memory unit 22.

[0066] Furthermore, the control unit 21 transmits the received or generated patient information, transition procedure information, and difference information to the display 13a (L in FIG. 5: patient information, transition procedure information, difference information), and this information is displayed on the display 13a. This allows the operator to check the patient information, transition procedure information, and difference information via the display 13a, making it possible to transfer information accurately and quickly.

[0067] (Hospital server) Next, the electrical configuration of the hospital server 4 constituting the blood purification system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the hospital server 4 according to the first embodiment. Note that the hospital server 4 does not need to include all of the components shown in Fig. 6; it is possible to omit some components, or to add other components.

[0068] 6, the hospital server 4 has an input / output unit 43 consisting of a display 43a and an input / output port 43b, an information processing device 47 consisting of a processor 47a and a memory 47b, and a communication unit 48 consisting of a communication processing circuit 48a and an antenna 48b. These components are electrically connected to each other via control lines and data lines.

[0069] Display 43a has a general screen-type output interface. That is, display 43a in this embodiment has only an output function, unlike display 13a of blood purification apparatus 3. Note that display 43a may be a touch panel equipped with an input / output interface, similar to display 13a of blood purification apparatus 3.

[0070] Like the input / output port 13b of the blood purification apparatus 3, the input / output port 43b is composed of interface terminals used for inputting and outputting information and data to and from various devices connected to the outside of the hospital server 4. That is, the input / output port 43b can be connected to an external storage device (not shown) and has an input / output function that enables input and output of information and data between the hospital server 4 and the external storage device. For example, the external storage device that can be connected to the input / output port 43b may be a USB memory, a CF card, an NFC card, or the like. Note that if an external storage device or the like is not connected, the hospital server 4 may not have the input / output port 43b.

[0071] The processor 47a is configured with a GPU or CPU and functions as a control unit for controlling other directly connected devices and other devices connected via a communication line based on various programs stored in the memory 47b. For example, the processor 47a reads and executes programs for executing information processing according to the present disclosure and programs for executing OS functions from the memory 47b. More specifically, the processor 47a executes processes such as processing and transmitting received patient information to execute processes related to the transfer of patient information. In particular, the processor 47a generates transfer procedure information and difference information based on the most recently received patient information and past patient information stored in the memory 47b, similar to the control unit 21 of the blood purification device 3. Details of these processes will be described later. The processor 47a may be configured with a single CPU or multiple CPUs.

[0072] The memory 47b includes RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory, and HDD and functions as a storage unit. The ROM stores instructions and commands for executing information processing and OS functions according to the present disclosure as programs. Such programs are loaded and executed by the processor 47a. The RAM is used to write and read data while the programs stored in the ROM are being processed by the processor 47a. The nonvolatile memory is memory into which data is written and read as the programs are executed, and the data written therein is retained even after the execution of the programs has ended. In the present disclosure, the memory 47b stores programs for executing processes such as processing and transmitting received patient information in order to execute processes related to the transfer of patient information.

[0073] The memory 47b also stores patient information related to the treatment of multiple patients. Like the storage unit 22 of the blood purification apparatus 3, the memory 47b also stores transfer procedure information, which is a procedure related to the transfer of patient information, and difference information between the old and new patient information.

[0074] The communication unit 48 transmits and receives information to and from the blood purification apparatus 3 or the portable terminal 5 installed in the hospital, or the remotely installed cloud server 7, via the communication processing circuit 48a and the antenna 48b. The communication processing circuit 48a processes the programs and various information used in the blood purification system 1 for transmitting and receiving information to and from the blood purification apparatus 3, the portable terminal 5, or the cloud server 7 according to the progress of processing.

[0075] The communication processing circuit 48a performs processing based on a wideband wireless communication system such as the LTE system, but can also perform processing based on a narrowband wireless communication system or a contactless wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11 or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Also, wired communication can be used instead of or in addition to wireless communication.

[0076] (Mobile device) Next, the electrical configuration of the portable terminal 5 constituting the blood purification system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the portable terminal 5 according to the first embodiment. Note that the portable terminal 5 does not need to include all of the components shown in Fig. 7, and may have a configuration in which some components are omitted, or other components may be added.

[0077] 7, the mobile terminal 5 has a display 53a, an information processing device 57 including a processor 57a and a memory 57b, a communication unit 58 including a communication processing circuit 58a and an antenna 58b, and a reading unit 59. These components are electrically connected to each other via control lines and data lines.

[0078] Next, the display 53a has a touch panel-type input interface and a general screen-type output interface. That is, the display 53a in this embodiment is a touch panel equipped with an input / output interface and has input and output functions. Here, the detection method for input by the touch panel may be any method, such as a capacitance method or a resistive film method. In particular, in this embodiment, the display 53a displays patient information obtained from the blood purification device 3 or an identification marker read from the blood purification device 3.

[0079] The processor 57a is configured with a GPU or a CPU and functions as a control unit for controlling each component of the mobile terminal 5 based on various programs stored in the memory 57b. For example, the processor 57a reads and executes programs for executing information processing according to the present disclosure and programs for executing OS functions from the memory 57b. More specifically, in order to execute processing related to the transfer of patient information, the processor 57a reads an identification marker using the reader 59, performs information processing related to obtaining patient information, etc. from the read identification marker, displays the patient information, etc. on the display 53a, and displays the identification marker on the display 53a. Details of these processes will be described later. The processor 57a may be configured with a single GPU or CPU, or may be configured with multiple GPUs or CPUs.

[0080] The memory 57b includes RAM, ROM, non-volatile memory, and HDD and functions as a storage unit. The ROM stores instructions and commands for executing information processing and OS functions according to the present disclosure as programs. Such programs are loaded and executed by the processor 57a. The RAM is used to write and read data while the programs stored in the ROM are being processed by the processor 57a. The non-volatile memory is memory into which data is written and read as the programs are executed, and the data written therein is retained even after the execution of the programs has ended. In the present disclosure, the memory 57b particularly stores programs for reading the identification markers by the reader 59, information processing for acquiring patient information, etc. from the read identification markers, displaying the patient information, etc. on the display 53a, and displaying the identification markers on the display 53a, in order to execute processing related to the transfer of patient information.

[0081] The communication unit 58 transmits and receives information to and from the blood purification apparatus 3 or hospital server 4 installed in the hospital, or the remotely installed cloud server 7, via the communication processing circuit 58a and antenna 58b. The communication processing circuit 58a processes programs and various information used in the blood purification system 1 for transmitting and receiving information to and from the blood purification apparatus 3, hospital server 4, or cloud server 7 according to the progress of processing.

[0082] The communication processing circuit 58a performs processing based on a wideband wireless communication system such as the LTE system, but can also perform processing based on a narrowband wireless communication system or a contactless wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11 or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Also, wired communication can be used instead of or in addition to wireless communication.

[0083] The reading unit 59 is a general camera, an information acquisition device capable of reading one-dimensional or two-dimensional identification markers. In this embodiment, the reading unit 59 reads the identification markers displayed on the display 13a of the blood purification apparatus 3 (initial apparatus 3a). For example, like the reading unit 19 of the blood purification apparatus 3, the reading unit 59 optically detects the identification markers and converts them into specific information (patient information) by analyzing the pattern of black and white areas (blank areas).

[0084] In this embodiment, the identification markers are read and displayed using the display 53a and reading unit 59 of the portable terminal 5, but this is not limiting. That is, a dedicated reading terminal for reading and displaying the identification markers may be prepared separately from the portable terminal 5 and used as a component of the blood purification system 1.

[0085] (Cloud server) Next, the electrical configuration of the cloud server 7 constituting the blood purification system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the cloud server 7 according to the first embodiment. Note that the cloud server 7 does not need to include all of the components shown in Fig. 8, and may have a configuration in which some components are omitted, or other components may be added.

[0086] 8, the cloud server 7 has an information processing device 77 including a processor 77a and a memory 77b, and a communication unit 78 including a communication processing circuit 78a and an antenna 78b. These components are electrically connected to each other via control lines and data lines.

[0087] The processor 77a is configured with a GPU or CPU and functions as a control unit for controlling other directly connected devices and other devices connected via a communication line based on various programs stored in the memory 77b. For example, the processor 77a reads and executes programs for executing information processing according to the present disclosure and programs for executing OS functions from the memory 77b. More specifically, the processor 77a executes processes such as processing and transmitting received patient information to execute processes related to the migration of patient information. In particular, like the control unit 21 of the blood purification apparatus 3, the processor 77a generates migration procedure information and difference information based on the latest received patient information and past patient information stored in the memory 77b. Details of these processes will be described later. The processor 77a may be configured with a single GPU or CPU, or may be configured with multiple GPUs or CPUs.

[0088] The memory 77b includes RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory, and HDD and functions as a storage unit. The ROM stores instructions and commands for executing information processing and OS functions according to the present disclosure as programs. Such programs are loaded and executed by the processor 77a. The RAM is used to write and read data while the programs stored in the ROM are being processed by the processor 77a. The nonvolatile memory is memory into which data is written and read by the execution of the programs, and the data written therein is retained even after the execution of the programs has ended. In the present disclosure, the memory 77b stores, in particular, programs for executing processes such as processing and transmitting received patient information in order to execute processes related to the transfer of patient information.

[0089] The memory 77b also stores patient information related to the treatment of multiple patients. Like the memory unit 22 of the blood purification apparatus 3, the memory 77b also stores transfer procedure information, which is a procedure related to the transfer of patient information, and difference information between the old and new patient information.

[0090] The communication unit 78 transmits and receives information to and from the remotely installed blood purification apparatus 3, in-hospital server 4, or portable terminal 5 via the communication processing circuit 78a and antenna 78b. The communication processing circuit 78a processes programs and various information used in the blood purification system 1 to transmit and receive information to and from the blood purification apparatus 3, in-hospital server 4, or portable terminal 5 according to the progress of processing.

[0091] The communication processing circuit 78a performs processing based on a wideband wireless communication system such as the LTE system, but can also perform processing based on a narrowband wireless communication system or a contactless wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11 or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Also, wired communication can be used instead of or in addition to wireless communication.

[0092] (Treatment in blood purification systems) Next, the processing related to the transfer of patient information in the blood purification system 1 according to this embodiment will be described for each of the first to fourth transfer methods with reference to Figs. 9A to 12. Fig. 9A and Figs. 10 to 12 are sequence diagrams related to information transfer in the blood purification system 1 according to this embodiment. Figs. 9B to 9H are examples of screens displayed on the blood purification apparatus 3 according to this embodiment. In particular, Fig. 9A is a sequence diagram when the first transfer method is selected, Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram when the second transfer method is selected, Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram when the third transfer method is selected, and Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram when the fourth transfer method is selected. [First transition method]

[0093] First, for the first transfer method, as shown in FIG. 9A, initial settings related to information transfer are made in each blood purification apparatus 3 (initial apparatus 3a and alternative apparatus 3b) (S1 and S2). These initial settings are made in each blood purification apparatus 3 by the operator of the blood purification apparatus 3 when the blood purification apparatus 3 is introduced into the hospital. Specifically, the information processing device 17 of the blood purification apparatus 3 displays initial selection information on the display 13a, making it available for selection by the operator. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the display 13a displays a title display section 81 with an operation title "Initial Selection of Information Transfer Method," a first selection button 82 with the first transfer method "Transfer Using an Identification Marker" displayed, a second selection button 83 with the second transfer method "Transfer Using an External Storage Device" displayed, a third selection button 84 with the third transfer method "Transfer Using an In-Hospital Server" displayed, a fourth selection button 85 with the fourth transfer method "Transfer Using a Cloud Server" displayed, and a save button 86 with "Save Select" displayed for selecting and saving the transfer method.

[0094] 9B, the operator presses the first selection button 82 and the third selection button 84, selecting the first transition method and the third transition method, and the buttons are displayed in dark colors. Then, the operator presses the save button 86, which causes the first transition method and the third transition method to be transmitted to the control unit 21 as initial selection information. Thereafter, the control unit 21 transmits the initial selection information to the storage unit 22 (memory 17b), and the initial selection information is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0095] Next, treatment is started in the blood purification apparatus 3 (initial apparatus 3a) (S3). Specifically, the operator connects accessories to the blood purification apparatus 3, prepares medication, and punctures the patient, and then sets treatment conditions appropriate for the patient, starting treatment appropriate for that patient. Data related to the newly performed treatment is stored as patient information in the memory unit 22 as appropriate by processing by the control unit 21.

[0096] Subsequently, one of the blood purification devices 3 fails for some reason, and treatment in this blood purification device 3, the initial device 3a, is interrupted (S4). When the control unit 21 of the initial device 3a detects the interruption of treatment, a transition method selection process is performed in the initial device 3a (S5). Specifically, the control unit 21 reads out the initial selection information from the storage unit 22, the selection image generation unit 21a generates a final selection image, and the final selection image is sent to and displayed on the display 13a.

[0097] For example, as shown in FIG. 9C, the display 13a displays a title display section 91 with an operation title "Final selection of information migration method," a first selection button 92 displaying the first migration method "Migration using an identification marker," a second selection button 93 displaying the second migration method "Migration using an external storage device," a third selection button 94 displaying the third migration method "Migration using an in-hospital server," a fourth selection button 95 displaying the fourth migration method "Migration using a cloud server," and a decision button 96 displaying "Select and decide" for selecting and deciding on the migration method.

[0098] In this embodiment, since the second and fourth transition methods are not selected at the initial selection stage, the second selection button 93 and the fourth selection button 95 are displayed in black so that they cannot be selected by the operator. Note that the second selection button 93 and the fourth selection button 95 relating to the second and fourth transition methods that were not selected at the initial selection stage may be hidden on the display 13a so that the operator cannot see or select them. On the other hand, in order to expand the options at this stage, the second selection button 93 and the fourth selection button 95 may be displayed as selectable.

[0099] 9C, the operator presses the first selection button 92, selecting the first transition method, and the first selection button 92 is displayed in a dark color. Thereafter, the operator presses the decision button 96, and operator selection information, which is final selection information indicating that the first transition method has been selected, is transmitted to the control unit 21.

[0100] Next, in the initial device 3a, an identification marker is displayed on the display 13a (S6). Specifically, upon receiving the operator selection information, the identification marker generation unit 21b of the control unit 21 reads patient information from the storage unit 22. The patient information includes unique data and treatment data of the patient receiving treatment in the initial device 3a, and the treatment data also includes treatment progress data relating to the start and end of treatment. In other words, the patient information includes information necessary for transferring treatment from the initial device 3a to the alternative device 3b. The identification marker generation unit 21b then generates a one-dimensional or two-dimensional identification marker corresponding to the patient information and transmits the identification marker to the display 13a for display. For example, as shown in FIG. 9D, a two-dimensional QR code (registered trademark) may be displayed as an identification marker in the marker display unit 97 of the display 13a.

[0101] Next, the identification marker displayed on the display 13a of the initial device 3a is imaged by operating the portable terminal 5 (S7). Specifically, on the portable terminal 5 owned by the operator of the blood purification device 3, the operator operates the screen displayed on the display 53a, and an imaging program for the identification marker is executed by the information processing device 57 of the portable terminal 5. Then, the operation of the reading unit 59 of the portable terminal 5 is controlled, and an image of the identification marker displayed on the display 13a of the initial device 3a is captured.

[0102] Next, the information processing device 57 of the portable terminal 5 processes the captured image of the identification marker to obtain patient information and displays the patient information on the display 53a (S8). For example, as shown in FIG. 9E, the display 53a may display the patient's unique data, which is one type of patient information, on the display unit 98, and the treatment data, which is another type of patient information, on the display unit 99. The display unit 98 may display the patient's name, sex, weight, height, and blood pressure, while the display unit 99 may display the treatment condition data, medical equipment data, accessories attached to the blood purification device, medication data, and treatment progress data. This allows the operator of the blood purification device 3 to easily and quickly check information about patients whose treatment has been suspended, the patient's treatment status, and so on.

[0103] Next, the same identification marker as the identification marker originally displayed on the display 13a of the device 3a is displayed on the display 53a of the mobile terminal 5 (S9). Specifically, on the mobile terminal 5 owned by the operator, the operator operates the screen displayed on the display 53a, and a program for re-displaying the identification marker is executed by the information processing device 57 of the mobile terminal 5.

[0104] Next, the identification marker displayed on the display 53a is imaged by operating the alternate device 3b, which is the information transfer destination (S10). Specifically, the operator of the blood purification device 3 operates the screen displayed on the display 13a of the alternate device 3b, and the identification marker imaging program is executed by the information processing device 17 of the alternate device 3b. Then, the operation of the reading unit 19 of the alternate device 3b is controlled, and an image of the identification marker displayed on the display 53a of the portable terminal 5 is captured.

[0105] Next, the information processing device 17 of the alternative device 3b processes the image of the identification marker to acquire patient information and performs information processing related to the patient information (S11). Specifically, the calculation unit 21c, functioning as the information processing device 17 of the alternative device 3b, processes the image of the identification marker received from the reading unit 19 to acquire the patient information and installs the patient information. This enables the alternative device 3b to take over the patient information of the initial device 3a, enabling rapid migration processing using the patient information of the initial device 3a. The calculation unit 21c also reads out past patient information stored in the memory unit 22, compares it with newly acquired patient information from the identification marker, extracts differences, and generates difference information related to the patient information. Furthermore, the calculation unit 21c also generates migration procedure information indicating the migration procedure for patient information in the alternative device 3b based on the newly acquired patient information and the generated difference information.

[0106] Next, in the alternative device 3b, the transition procedure information generated by the patient information processing is displayed on the display 13a (S12). Specifically, the control unit 21 of the alternative device 3b transmits the transition procedure information to the display 13a and displays the transition procedure information on the display 13a so that the operator can confirm it. For example, as shown in FIG. 9F, the display 13a displays a title display section 101 with an operation title "Transition Procedure Guidance," a transition procedure display section 102 with "First Step," which is the processing content of the initial stage of the transition procedure, and a transition button 103 with "Next" displayed for proceeding to the next step. When the operator presses the transition button 103, the transition procedure progresses sequentially. As shown in FIG. 9G, when the final step is displayed in the transition procedure display section 102, a completion button 104 with "Complete" displayed is displayed below the display 13a to notify the control unit 21 that the transition procedure operation has been completed.

[0107] The display of the guidance for the transition procedure is not limited to the above, and all steps may be displayed simultaneously, or the user may proceed to the next step by scrolling the screen. Also, another transition button marked "Back" may be displayed so that the user can return to the previous step and reconfirm its contents.

[0108] Next, in the alternative device 3b, the difference information generated by the patient information processing is displayed on the display 13a (S13). Specifically, the control unit 21 of the alternative device 3b transmits the difference information to the display 13a and displays the difference information on the display 13a so that the operator can confirm it. For example, as shown in FIG. 9H, the display 13a displays a title display section 111 titled "Difference Information," a difference display section 112 displaying difference information related to the device, a difference display section 113 displaying difference information related to the treatment conditions, a difference display section 114 displaying difference information related to the treatment data, and a confirmation button 115 displaying "Confirm" for instructing the control unit 21 to confirm that the difference confirmation has been completed. Each difference display section displays information stored in the initial device 3a (pre-transition information) and information stored in the alternative device 3b (post-transition information). This allows the operator to easily understand the points to note in the transition process, enabling the transition process to be carried out quickly.

[0109] The order of displaying the transition procedure information in S12 and the difference information in S13 may be reversed.The two pieces of information may also be displayed so that they can be checked simultaneously.

[0110] Next, various transition processes are performed by the operator in the alternative device 3b (S14). Specifically, these processes include setting treatment conditions, attaching accessories, preparing medication, and moving the patient. The operator may check the display of transition procedure information in S12 and the display of difference information in S13, and decide to end the treatment without resuming it if there is a reason that the transition process cannot be performed quickly. For example, if there are no accessories to be attached to the alternative device 3b, or if it takes time to attach the accessories, the treatment is ended if the transition cannot be performed quickly.

[0111] Next, in the alternative device 3b, the treatment is resumed by processing by the operator (S15). Specifically, the operator operates the screen displayed on the display 13a of the alternative device 3b, thereby starting the operation related to the treatment of the alternative device 3b.

[0112] In the first transfer method, the patient information transfer process is performed via the portable terminal 5, but the patient information transfer process may also be performed without the portable terminal 5. That is, the identification marker displayed on the display 13a of the initial device 3a may be read by the reading unit 19 of the alternative device 3b, and the processing may be performed by the calculation unit 21c of the alternative device 3b. Furthermore, the reason for interrupting treatment is not limited to a malfunction of the initial device 3a, and may be due to circumstances of the hospital 2 or the patient.

[0113] [Second transition method] The second transfer method differs from the first transfer method in that the patient information is transferred using an external storage device and that the patient information is displayed on the alternative device 3b rather than the mobile terminal 5. Therefore, focusing on the differences from the first transfer method, the processing flow will be explained with reference to Fig. 10, and explanations of the same content as in the first transfer method will be omitted or simplified.

[0114] First, similar to the initial setting (S1, S2), treatment start (S3), treatment interruption (S4), and selection of the transition method (S5) of the first transition method, initial setting (S21, S22), treatment start (S23), treatment interruption (S24), and selection of the transition method (S25) are performed. Then, patient information is written to the external recording device (S26). Specifically, when the operator of the initial device 3a connects the external recording device to the input / output port of the initial device 3a, the control unit 21 of the initial device 3a recognizes the external recording device. Then, the control unit 21 of the initial device 3a reads the patient information from the memory unit 22 and records the patient information in the external recording device via the input / output port 13b.

[0115] Next, the operator of the initial device 3a moves the external recording device to the alternative device 3b (T21), and the external storage device is connected to the input / output port 13b of the alternative device 3b. As a result, the control unit 21 of the alternative device 3b recognizes the external recording device, and the control unit 21 imports the patient information from the external recording device (S27).

[0116] Next, similar to the display of patient information in the first transfer method (S8), the patient information imported in the alternative device 3b is displayed on the display 13a (S28). That is, the operator checks the unique data and treatment data in the alternative device 3b, which is the transfer destination of the patient information, and understands their contents.

[0117] Next, similar to the patient information processing (S11), display of transition procedure information (S12), display of difference information (S13), transition processing (S14), and resumption of treatment (S15) of the first transition method, patient information processing (S29), display of transition procedure information (S30), display of difference information (S31), transition processing (S32), and resumption of treatment (S33) are performed.

[0118] In the second migration method, information migration is performed by connecting the external storage device to the input / output port of the alternative device 3b. However, the external storage device may be connected to the input / output port 43b of the in-hospital server 4, and after processing the patient information on the in-hospital server 4, the patient information, difference information, and migration procedure information may be transmitted to the alternative device 3b via a communication line.

[0119] [Third transition method] The third transfer method differs from the first and second transfer methods in that patient information is transferred via the in-hospital server 4 using wired or wireless communication, and that patient information processing can be performed on the in-hospital server 4 rather than on the alternative device 3b. Therefore, focusing on the differences from the first and second transfer methods, the processing flow will be explained with reference to Figure 11, and explanations of the same content as the first and second transfer methods will be omitted or simplified.

[0120] First, similar to the initial setting (S1, S2), treatment start (S3), treatment interruption (S4), and selection of transition method (S5) of the first transition method, initial setting (S41, S42), treatment start (S43), treatment interruption (S44), and selection of transition method (S45) are performed. Thereafter, a patient information transmission process is performed in the initial device 3a (S46), and the patient information is transmitted to the hospital server 4 (T41). Specifically, the control unit 21 of the initial device 3a transmits the patient information read from the memory unit 22 to the hospital server 4 as a transmission destination via the communication unit 18.

[0121] Next, the information processing device 47 of the hospital server 4 performs information processing on the received patient information (S47), similar to the blood purification device 3. Specifically, the processor 47a of the hospital server 4 reads out past patient information stored in the memory 47b, compares it with the newly received patient information to extract differences, and generates difference information on the patient information. Furthermore, the processor 47a also generates transfer procedure information indicating a transfer procedure for patient information in the alternative device 3b, based on the newly received patient information and the generated difference information.

[0122] Next, the information processing device 47 of the hospital server 4 transmits the patient information, the difference information, and the transition procedure information to the alternative device 3b via the communication unit 48 (T42). As a result, the control unit 21 of the alternative device 3b receives the patient information via the communication unit 18.

[0123] Next, similar to the display of patient information in the second transfer method (S28), the patient information received in the alternative device 3b is displayed on the display 13a (S48). That is, the operator checks the unique data and treatment data in the alternative device 3b, which is the transfer destination of the patient information, and understands their contents.

[0124] Next, similar to the display of transition procedure information (S12), display of difference information (S13), transition processing (S14), and resumption of treatment (S15) in the first transition method, transition procedure information is displayed (S49), difference information is displayed (S50), transition processing (S51), and treatment is resumed (S52).

[0125] [Fourth transition method] The fourth transfer method differs from the first and second transfer methods in that patient information is transferred via the cloud server 7 using wired or wireless communication, and that patient information processing can be performed on the cloud server 7 rather than on the alternative device 3b. Therefore, focusing on the differences from the first and second transfer methods, the processing flow will be explained with reference to Figure 12, and explanations of the same content as the first and second transfer methods will be omitted or simplified.

[0126] First, similar to the initial setting (S1, S2), treatment start (S3), treatment interruption (S4), and selection of the transition method (S5) of the first transition method, initial setting (S61, S62), treatment start (S63), treatment interruption (S64), and selection of the transition method (S65) are performed. Thereafter, a patient information transmission process is performed in the initial device 3a (S66), and the patient information is transmitted to the cloud server 7 (T61). Specifically, the control unit 21 of the initial device 3a transmits the patient information read from the storage unit 22 to the cloud server 7 as the transmission destination via the communication unit 18.

[0127] Next, the information processing device 77 of the cloud server 7 performs information processing on the received patient information (S67), similar to the blood purification device 3. Specifically, the processor 77a of the cloud server 7 reads out past patient information stored in the memory 77b, compares it with the newly received patient information to extract differences, and generates difference information on the patient information. Furthermore, the processor 77a also generates migration procedure information indicating the migration procedure of the patient information in the alternative device 3b, based on the newly received patient information and the generated difference information.

[0128] Next, the information processing device 77 of the cloud server 7 transmits the patient information, the difference information, and the transition procedure information to the alternative device 3b via the communication unit 78 (T62). As a result, the control unit 21 of the alternative device 3b receives the patient information via the communication unit 18.

[0129] Next, similar to the display of patient information in the second transfer method (S28), the patient information received in the alternative device 3b is displayed on the display 13a (S68). That is, the operator checks the unique data and treatment data in the alternative device 3b, which is the destination of the patient information, and understands their contents.

[0130] Next, similar to the display of transition procedure information (S12), display of difference information (S13), transition processing (S14), and resumption of treatment (S15) in the first transition method, transition procedure information is displayed (S69), difference information is displayed (S70), transition processing (S71), and treatment is resumed (S72).

[0131] (Operation and effect of the first embodiment) In this embodiment, four types of transfer methods for patient information transfer are stored in the information processing device 17 of the blood purification apparatus 3, and the transfer method is displayed so that the operator can select the desired transfer method at the initial stage and immediately before the information transfer. That is, depending on the environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1, one of the transfer methods for different devices used is selected to transfer information.

[0132] This makes it possible to adopt an optimal transfer method that corresponds to the state of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1 or the installation environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1, allowing for easy and accurate information transfer and shortening the lead time until treatment is resumed. In particular, in this embodiment, the operator selects the transfer method, which makes it easier to reflect the on-site situation of the hospital 2 and allows for more accurate information transfer. Furthermore, since there is no need to input various information related to the patient and blood purification apparatus 3 transfer into the blood purification apparatus 3, human error such as input errors does not occur and the overall processing time can be reduced.

[0133] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the operator of the blood purification apparatus 3 selects the patient information transfer method twice. However, the blood purification apparatus 3 may automatically select the transfer method based on predetermined information. That is, the control unit 21 of the blood purification apparatus 3 generates control unit selection information, and one of the first to fourth transfer methods is selected based on the control unit selection information to transfer the patient information. This case will be described as the second embodiment with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of information transfer in the blood purification apparatus 3 (initial apparatus 3a) according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of information transfer in the blood purification system 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of transfer method selection in the blood purification apparatus 3 (initial apparatus 3a) according to the second embodiment. Differences from the first embodiment will be primarily described, and descriptions of the same content will be omitted. The same reference numerals will be used in the drawings.

[0134] 13, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 17 includes an identification marker generation unit 21b, a calculation unit 21c, and a selection information generation unit 21d. That is, unlike the first embodiment, the control unit 21 does not include a selection image generation unit 21a that generates an image for the operator to select, but includes a selection information generation unit 21d for selecting a transition method. As in the first embodiment, these units are realized by the functioning of the processor 17a and memory 17b of the information processing device 17 themselves, or by the processor 17a reading and executing a program stored in the memory 17b.

[0135] 13, when treatment is interrupted due to a malfunction or the like of the initial device 3a from which the blood purification device 3 is the information transfer source, the control unit 21 generates response confirmation information and transmits it to the communication unit 18 (A in FIG. 13: response confirmation information). The response confirmation information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 5 via the communication unit 18, and when an operator of the mobile terminal 5 responds, response information is returned to the control unit 21 via the communication unit 18 (B in FIG. 13: response information).

[0136] Here, the response information is information relating to whether the operator can respond to the process related to the information migration. For example, information relating to whether the operator can respond to the process of the information migration is assumed. In other words, if the operator is in a situation where he / she cannot perform the process of the information migration due to another task, it is necessary to prevent the first and second migration methods from being selected, and such information is necessary to prevent the operator-involved migration method from being selected under a situation where the operator cannot respond.

[0137] Next, the selection information generator 21d receives from the storage unit 22 the four pieces of migration method data, installation environment information, and status information of the patient information stored in the storage unit 22 (C in FIG. 13: migration method data, installation environment information, status information), and generates control unit selection information based on the correspondence information, migration method data, installation environment information, and status information. The control unit selection information then becomes final selection information for determining the migration method. The installation environment information and status information are updated periodically or at any time based on update information input via the display 13a, the input / output port 13b, or the communication unit 18.

[0138] Here, the installation environment information refers to information related to the environment in which the initial device 3a and the alternative device 3b are set up. For example, this information may be related to the availability of a communication line, the presence or absence of a reading device, such as the portable terminal 5, or an external storage device. In other words, if the communication line is unavailable, the third and fourth transition methods must not be selected. This information is necessary to prevent the selection of a transition method related to a device that cannot be used in the initial installation state. Furthermore, the status information refers to information related to the usage status of the initial device 3a and the alternative device 3b. For example, this information may be related to malfunctions of the display 13a, the input / output port 13b, the communication unit 18, and the reading unit 19. Information related to the speed of the communication line and the availability of connections to servers inside and outside the hospital may also be considered. In other words, if the display 13a is malfunctioning, the first transition method must not be selected. This information is necessary to prevent the selection of a transition method related to the malfunctioning device.

[0139] From the above, the installation environment information, status information, and response information are information for determining whether or not the first to fourth transition methods can be carried out in the environment in which the blood purification apparatus 3 is installed and used.

[0140] When the selection information generator 21d selects the final information transfer method, the controller 21 receives the patient information stored in the memory 22 from the memory 22 (D in FIG. 13: patient information). The controller 21 then executes a patient information transfer process based on the selected information transfer method. Specifically, when the first transfer method using an identification marker is selected, the identification marker generator 21b generates an identification marker corresponding to the patient information, transmits the identification marker to the display 13a (E1 in FIG. 13: identification marker), and displays the identification marker on the display 13a. When the second transfer method using an external storage device is selected, the controller 21 transmits the received patient information to the input / output port 13b (E2 in FIG. 13: patient information) and stores the patient information in the external storage device connected to the input / output port 13b. When the third or fourth transfer method using the in-hospital server 4 or the cloud server 7 is selected, the controller 21 transmits the received patient information to the destination server via the communication unit 18 (E3 in FIG. 13: patient information).

[0141] When the blood purification apparatus 3 is the alternative apparatus 3b to which information is transferred, the configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 13 and the information flow is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0142] Next, the process for transferring patient information in the blood purification system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Note that the process differs from the first embodiment in that it involves selecting the transfer method, but the transfer method itself is the same. Therefore, the following description will be given as an example of the case where the first transfer method is selected, and descriptions of the cases where other transfer methods are selected will be omitted.

[0143] First, as shown in Fig. 14, treatment is started in one of the blood purification devices 3 (S101). After that, one of the blood purification devices 3 breaks down for some reason, and treatment in this blood purification device 3, the initial device 3a, is interrupted (S102). These steps are the same as S3 and S4 in the first embodiment.

[0144] Next, when the control unit 21 of the initial device 3a detects the interruption of treatment, the control unit 21 generates response confirmation information and transmits the response confirmation information to the mobile terminal 5 via the communication unit 18 (T101). For example, the response confirmation information may include question information regarding whether or not the patient information transfer process can be carried out.

[0145] Next, the portable terminal 5 performs a process of generating response information relating to whether or not a response can be made to the received response confirmation information. Specifically, in the portable terminal 5 owned by an operator, the operator operates the screen displayed on the display 53a, and the information processing device 57 of the portable terminal 5 generates response information that matches the operation. Then, the information processing device 57 of the portable terminal 5 returns the generated response information to the initial device 3a via the communication unit 58 (T102).

[0146] Next, when the control unit 21 of the initial device 3a receives the correspondence information, a migration method selection process is performed in the initial device 3a (S104). Specifically, the selection information generation unit 21d of the initial device 3a reads out the four migration method data, installation environment information, and status information of the patient information stored in the storage unit 22. Then, the selection information generation unit 21d of the initial device 3a generates control unit selection information, which becomes final selection information for determining the migration method, based on the received correspondence information and the read migration method data, installation environment information, and status information.

[0147] Here, an example of a specific method for generating control unit selection information will be described with reference to Fig. 15. That is, the selection information generating unit 21d performs the process according to the flow in Fig. 15 based on the received and read information and data, and executes selection related to the patient information migration process.

[0148] First, the selection information generating unit 21d determines whether or not the environment is one in which a communication line can be used (S151). This determination is made based on the installation environment information read from the storage unit 22.

[0149] Next, if the result of S151 is Yes, the selection information generating unit 21d determines whether the speed of the communication line is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (S152). Subsequently, if the result of S152 is Yes, the selection information generating unit 21d determines whether connection to the hospital server 4 is possible (S153). These determinations are made based on the status information read from the storage unit 22. Then, if the result of S153 is Yes, the selection information generating unit 21d generates control unit selection information to select the third transition method (S154).

[0150] On the other hand, if the answer is No in S153, it is determined whether or not connection to the cloud server 7, which is an external server, is possible (S155). This determination is made based on the status information read from the storage unit 22. Then, if the answer is Yes in S155, the selection information generation unit 21d generates control unit selection information to select the fourth transition method (S156).

[0151] If the answer is No in S151 or S152, it is determined whether the operator can handle the transition process (S157). This determination is made based on the received support information. If the answer is Yes in S157, the selection information generation unit 21d then determines whether the display 13a is usable (S158). This determination is made based on the read status information. If the answer is Yes in S158, the selection information generation unit 21d generates control unit selection information to select the first transition method (S159).

[0152] On the other hand, if the result of S158 is No, it is determined whether the input / output port 13b is available (S160). This determination is made based on the status information read from the storage unit 22. Then, if the result of S160 is Yes, the selection information generating unit 21d generates control unit selection information to select the second transition method (S161).

[0153] If the answer is No in S157 or S160, the selection information generating unit 21d determines that the patient information transfer process is impossible because the communication line is unavailable and the operator cannot respond, and generates control unit selection information indicating that treatment should be terminated (S162). Here, the control unit selection information indicating that treatment should be terminated is displayed as suggested or recommended information on the display 13a of the initial device 3a.

[0154] The above flow is merely an example, and the order of the determinations may be changed. That is, the order of the determinations may be set appropriately so that one of the first to fourth migration methods is selected with priority. Furthermore, the selection information generation unit 21d may not perform the determination shown in FIG. 15, but may instead include an AI determination unit that performs machine learning using the response information, the four migration method data, the installation environment information, and the status information, thereby extracting the optimal method corresponding to the situation when performing information migration.

[0155] 14, in the initial device 3a, processing for displaying an identification marker is performed (S105), similar to the processing of S6 in the first embodiment. Subsequently, in the portable terminal 5, processing for capturing an image (S106), processing for displaying patient information (S107), and processing for displaying an identification marker (S108), similar to the processing of S7 to S9 in the first embodiment, are performed. Thereafter, in the alternative device 3b, processing for capturing an image (S109), processing for processing patient information (S110), processing for displaying transition procedure information (S111), processing for displaying difference information (S112), transition processing (S113), and processing for resuming treatment (S114), similar to the processing of S10 to S15 in the first embodiment.

[0156] In this embodiment, a response confirmation is made to the mobile terminal 5, but the transition method may be selected without the response confirmation. That is, when the transition method is selected, the transition method may be selected based only on the remaining information without considering information related to whether the operator can respond.

[0157] (Operation and effect of the second embodiment) In this embodiment, four types of transfer methods for transferring patient information are also stored in the information processing device 17 of the blood purification apparatus 3, and the transfer method is automatically selected by the information processing device 17 immediately before the information transfer. That is, depending on the environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1, one of the transfer methods for different devices used is automatically selected, and information transfer is performed automatically.

[0158] Therefore, it is possible to automatically select the optimal transfer method corresponding to the state of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1 or the installation environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1, making it possible to easily and accurately transfer information and shorten the lead time until treatment can be resumed. In particular, in this embodiment, the information processing device 17 automatically selects the transfer method and the information transfer proceeds automatically, allowing for faster and more accurate information transfer. Furthermore, since there is no need to input various information related to the patient and the transfer of the blood purification apparatus 3 into the blood purification apparatus 3, human error such as input errors does not occur, and the overall processing time can be reduced.

[0159] <Third embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, the patient information transfer method was determined by selection by either the operator of the blood purification apparatus 3 or the control unit 21 of the blood purification apparatus 3. However, the operator may initially select the method, and the control unit 21 may make the final selection immediately before the information transfer. That is, initial selection information including at least one of the first to fourth transfer methods may be generated by the operator's selection, and the control unit 21 may generate control unit selection information, which will become the final selection information, based on the initial selection information, installation environment information for the blood purification apparatus 3, status information for the blood purification apparatus 3, and operator response information. This case will be described as the third embodiment with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of information transfer in the blood purification apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram of information transfer in the blood purification system 1 according to the third embodiment. Differences from the first and second embodiments will be primarily described, and descriptions of the same content will be omitted. The same reference numerals will be used in the drawings.

[0160] 16, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 17 of this embodiment includes a selection image generation unit 21a, an identification marker generation unit 21b, a calculation unit 21c, and a selection information generation unit 21d. That is, unlike the first and second embodiments, the control unit 21 includes both the selection image generation unit 21a that generates an image for the operator to select, and the selection information generation unit 21d for selecting a transition method. As in the first and second embodiments, these units are realized by the functioning of the processor 17a and memory 17b of the information processing device 17 themselves, or by the processor 17a reading and executing a program stored in the memory 17b.

[0161] As shown in Fig. 16, when the blood purification apparatus 3 is the initial apparatus 3a from which information is transferred, the selection image generator 21a receives four transfer method data for patient information stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (Fig. 16A: transfer method data) and generates an initial selection image for the operator to select a transfer method in the initial stage. The selection image generator 21a also transmits the generated initial selection image to the display 13a (Fig. 16B: initial selection image). Furthermore, the selection image generator 21a receives from the display 13a initial selection information input by the operator of the blood purification apparatus 3 by operating the display 13a (Fig. 16C: initial selection information). The selection image generator 21a then transmits the received initial selection information to the storage unit 22 (Fig. 16D: initial selection information), and the initial selection information is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0162] Thereafter, when the treatment is interrupted due to a malfunction or the like of the initial device 3a from which the blood purification device 3 is the information transfer source, the control unit 21 generates response confirmation information and transmits it to the communication unit 18 (E in FIG. 16: response confirmation information). The response confirmation information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 5 via the communication unit 18, and when an action is taken by the operator of the mobile terminal 5, response information is returned to the control unit 21 via the communication unit 18 (F in FIG. 16: response information).

[0163] Next, the selection information generator 21d receives the initial selection information, installation environment information, and status information stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (G in FIG. 16: initial selection information, installation environment information, status information), and generates control unit selection information based on the correspondence information, initial selection information, installation environment information, and status information. Then, the control unit selection information becomes final selection information for determining the migration method.

[0164] When the final method of information transfer is selected by the selection information generator 21d, the controller 21 receives the patient information stored in the memory 22 from the memory 22 (H: patient information in FIG. 16). Furthermore, the controller 21 executes a patient information transfer process based on the selected information transfer method (J1: identification marker, J2: patient information, J3: patient information in FIG. 16).

[0165] When the blood purification apparatus 3 is the alternative apparatus 3b to which information is transferred, the configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 16 and the information flow is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0166] Next, the process for transferring patient information in the blood purification system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Note that the process differs from the first and second embodiments up to the selection of the transfer method, but the transfer method itself is the same. Therefore, the following description will be given as an example of the case where the first transfer method is selected, and descriptions of the cases where other transfer methods are selected will be omitted.

[0167] First, similar to the initial settings (S1, S2), start of treatment (S3), and interruption of treatment (S4) in the first embodiment, the initial settings (S201, S202), start of treatment (S203), and interruption of treatment (S204) are performed in the initial device 3a and the alternative device 3b.

[0168] Next, similar to the response confirmation (T101) of the second embodiment, the control unit 21 generates response confirmation information and transmits the response confirmation information to the mobile terminal 5 via the communication unit 18 (T201). Subsequently, similar to the generation (S103) and reply (T102) of response information of the second embodiment, the mobile terminal 5 performs processing to generate and reply response information relating to whether or not the received response confirmation information can be handled (S205, T202).

[0169] Next, when the control unit 21 of the initial device 3a receives the correspondence information, a migration method selection process is performed in the initial device 3a (S206). Specifically, the selection information generation unit 21d of the initial device 3a reads out the initial selection information, installation environment information, and status information stored in the storage unit 22. Then, the selection information generation unit 21d of the initial device 3a generates control unit selection information, which will be final selection information for determining the migration method, based on the received correspondence information and the read out initial selection information, installation environment information, and status information.

[0170] The selection process can be performed using a modified determination flow based on the flow shown in Fig. 15 of the second embodiment, so as to prioritize the initially selected migration method. Alternatively, the selection information generation unit 21d may extract the optimal method corresponding to the situation when performing information migration by including an AI determination unit or the like that performs machine learning using the response information, the four migration method data, the installation environment information, the status information, and the initially selected information, rather than performing a determination using the determination flow.

[0171] In the initial device 3a, processing for displaying an identification marker is performed (S207), similar to the processing of S6 in the first embodiment. Subsequently, in the portable terminal 5, processing for capturing an image (S208), processing for displaying patient information (S209), and processing for displaying an identification marker (S210), similar to the processing of S7 to S9 in the first embodiment, are performed. Thereafter, in the alternative device 3b, processing for capturing an image (S211), processing for processing patient information (S212), processing for displaying transition procedure information (S213), processing for displaying difference information (S214), transition processing (S215), and processing for resuming treatment (S216), similar to the processing of S10 to S15 in the first embodiment, are performed.

[0172] (Operation and effect of the third embodiment) In this embodiment, four types of transfer methods for transferring patient information are stored in the information processing device 17 of the blood purification apparatus 3. The operator selects the transfer method at an initial stage, and the information processing device 17 automatically determines the final transfer method immediately before the information transfer. In other words, depending on the environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1, one of the transfer methods for different devices used is selected to transfer information.

[0173] This makes it possible to adopt an optimal transfer method corresponding to the state of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1 or the installation environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1, thereby enabling easy and accurate information transfer and shortening the lead time until treatment can be resumed. In particular, in this embodiment, the operator selects the transfer method at an early stage and can select multiple methods suited to the environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1. Furthermore, the information processing device 17 automatically selects the final transfer method and the information transfer proceeds automatically, enabling faster and more accurate information transfer while reflecting the on-site situation of the hospital 2. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to input various information related to the patient and the transfer of the blood purification apparatus 3 into the blood purification apparatus 3, human error such as input errors does not occur, and the overall processing time can be reduced.

[0174] <Fourth embodiment> In the third embodiment, the operator makes the initial selection and the controller 21 makes the final selection. However, the reverse is also possible. That is, the controller 21 may make the initial selection, exemplify a recommended migration method, and the operator may make the final selection. Such a case will be described as the fourth embodiment with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of information migration in the blood purification apparatus 3 (initial apparatus 3a) according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram of information migration in the blood purification system 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Note that differences from the first to third embodiments will be primarily described, and descriptions of the same content will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings.

[0175] 18, the control unit 21 of the information processing device 17 of this embodiment includes a selection image generation unit 21a, an identification marker generation unit 21b, a calculation unit 21c, and a selection information generation unit 21d. That is, unlike the first and second embodiments, the control unit 21 includes both the selection image generation unit 21a that generates an image for the operator to select, and the selection information generation unit 21d for selecting a transition method. As in the first and second embodiments, these units are realized by the functioning of the processor 17a and memory 17b of the information processing device 17 themselves, or by the processor 17a reading and executing a program stored in the memory 17b.

[0176] 18, when the blood purification apparatus 3 is the initial apparatus 3a from which information is transferred, the selection information generator 21d receives four transfer method data items of the patient information stored in the storage unit 22 and installation environment information from the storage unit 22 (A in FIG. 18: transfer method data, installation environment information), and generates control unit selection information based on the received data and information. Then, the control unit selection information becomes initial selection information for determining the transfer method.

[0177] Thereafter, when treatment is interrupted due to a malfunction or the like of the initial device 3a, which is the blood purification device 3, the selection image generator 21a receives the initial selection information stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (B in Fig. 18: initial selection information) and generates a final selection image for the operator to select a transfer method at the stage when the information transfer is actually performed. The selection image generator 21a also transmits the generated final selection image to the display 13a (C in Fig. 18: final selection image). Furthermore, the selection image generator 21a receives from the display 13a operator selection information input by the operator of the blood purification device 3 operating the display 13a (D in Fig. 18: operator selection information).

[0178] When the final method of information transfer is selected, the control unit 21 receives the patient information stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (E: patient information in FIG. 18). Furthermore, the control unit 21 executes a patient information transfer process based on the selected information transfer method (F1: identification marker, F2: patient information, F3: patient information in FIG. 18).

[0179] When the blood purification apparatus 3 is the alternative apparatus 3b to which information is transferred, the configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 18 and the information flow is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0180] Next, the process for transferring patient information in the blood purification system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Note that the process differs from the first to third embodiments in that only the selection of the transfer method is performed, but the transfer method itself is the same. Therefore, the following description will be given as an example of the case where the first transfer method is selected, and descriptions of the cases where other transfer methods are selected will be omitted.

[0181] 19, initial settings related to information transfer are first performed in each of the blood purification devices 3 (the initial device 3a and the alternative device 3b) (S301 and S302). The selection information generator 21d of the initial device 3a and the alternative device 3b reads out transfer method data and installation environment information stored in the storage unit 22. Then, based on this data and information, the selection information generator 21d generates control unit selection information, which serves as initial selection information for determining the transfer method.

[0182] The selection process can be performed using a modified determination flow based on the flow shown in FIG. 15 of the second embodiment, with the determination based on the status information and response information eliminated. In this case, multiple migration methods may be selected, rather than just one. Furthermore, the selection information generator 21d may extract at least one optimal method corresponding to the situation when performing information migration, without making a determination using the determination flow, by including an AI determination unit or the like that performs machine learning using four migration method data and installation environment information.

[0183] Next, similar to S3 to S6 in the first embodiment, the initial device 3a starts treatment (S303), suspends treatment (S304), selects a transition method (S305), and displays an identification marker (S306). Subsequently, similar to S7 to S9 in the first embodiment, the portable terminal 5 performs imaging (S307), patient information display (S308), and identification marker display (S309). Thereafter, similar to S10 to S15 in the first embodiment, the alternative device 3b performs imaging (S310), patient information processing (S311), transition procedure information display (S312), difference information display (S313), transition processing (S314), and treatment resumption (S315).

[0184] (Operation and effect of the fourth embodiment) In this embodiment, four types of transfer methods for transferring patient information are stored in the information processing device 17 of the blood purification apparatus 3, and the transfer method is automatically selected by the information processing device 17 at an initial stage, and the operator finally decides on the transfer method immediately before the information transfer. In other words, depending on the environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1, one of the transfer methods for different devices used is selected to transfer information.

[0185] This makes it possible to adopt an optimal transfer method corresponding to the state of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1 or the installation environment of the blood purification apparatus 3 and the blood purification system 1, thereby enabling easy and accurate information transfer and shortening the lead time until treatment can be resumed. In particular, in this embodiment, the information processing device 17 automatically selects the transfer method at an early stage, allowing the operator to more easily and quickly select the information transfer just before the information transfer, thereby making it possible to reflect the on-site situation of the hospital 2. Furthermore, since there is no need to input various information related to the patient and the transfer of the blood purification apparatus 3 into the blood purification apparatus 3, human error such as input errors does not occur, and the overall processing time can be reduced.

[0186] <Embodiments of the present disclosure> A first embodiment of the present disclosure is a blood purification device that purifies the blood of a patient, and includes: a memory unit that stores patient information including the patient's unique data and treatment data; an output unit that outputs the patient information to the outside via an information acquisition device used by an operator of the blood purification device; a communication unit that transmits the patient information to the outside using a communication line; and a control unit that controls either the output unit or the communication unit to transfer the patient information.

[0187] In this way, the information transfer is performed by selecting one of the transfer methods depending on the equipment used, so the optimal transfer method can be adopted depending on the condition of the blood purification device or the installation environment of the blood purification device, making it possible to transfer information easily and accurately and shortening the lead time until treatment can be resumed.

[0188] In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first embodiment, the output unit includes a display that displays the patient information as an identification marker and an output port to which the information acquisition device is connected, and outputs the patient information via either the display or the output port, and the communication unit transmits the patient information via the communication line to an in-facility server installed in the facility where the blood purification device is installed or to an external server installed outside the facility. This enables information transfer to be performed with more detailed consideration of the equipment used, making it possible to transfer information more easily and accurately while shortening the lead time to resuming treatment.

[0189] In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, in the second embodiment, the information acquisition device is a reading device that reads the identification marker or an external storage device connected to the output port, and the control unit determines, based on the final selection information, one of the following methods: a first transfer method that generates the identification marker, displays it on the display, and transfers information by reading it from the reading device; a second transfer method that stores the patient information in the external storage device via the output unit and transfers information; a third transfer method that transmits the patient information to an in-facility server via the communication unit and transfers information; and a fourth transfer method that transmits the patient information to an external server via the communication unit and transfers information. This enables information transfer to be performed taking into account the equipment used in more detail, making it possible to transfer information more easily and accurately while shortening the lead time to resuming treatment.

[0190] In a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the third embodiment, the final selection information is either operator-selected information selected by the operator or controller-selected information selected by the controller. This allows the transfer method to be finally selected by the person or device that understands the environment of the blood purification device, making it possible to transfer information easily and quickly.

[0191] In a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fourth embodiment, the storage unit stores initial selection information including at least one of the first to fourth transfer methods initially selected by the operator, and the control unit displays a final selection image of the transfer method on the display based on the initial selection information before transferring the patient information, and acquires the operator-selected information. This allows the operator, who understands the environment of the blood purification apparatus, to select the transfer method in stages, making it possible to easily and quickly perform optimal information transfer.

[0192] In a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fourth embodiment, the storage unit stores initial selection information including at least one of the first to fourth transfer methods initially selected by the operator, and the control unit generates the control unit selection information based on the initial selection information, information about the installation environment of the blood purification device, information about the status of the blood purification device, and information about the operator's response. Since the initial selection is made by a person who understands the environment of the blood purification device and the device automatically selects the transfer method immediately before information transfer, information transfer can be performed easily and quickly.

[0193] In a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fourth embodiment, the control unit generates initial selection information including at least one of the first to fourth transfer methods based on installation environment information of the blood purification device, stores the information in the storage unit, and before transferring the patient information, displays a final selection image of the transfer method on the display based on the initial selection information and acquires the operator selection information. This allows the transfer method to be automatically selected by a device that understands the environment of the blood purification device, making it possible to transfer information easily and quickly.

[0194] In an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, in any of the second to seventh embodiments, the control unit displays other patient information transferred from another blood purification device on the display, thereby making it possible to easily grasp the patient information to be transferred, and thus making it possible to transfer information easily and quickly.

[0195] A ninth embodiment of the present disclosure is any of the second to eighth embodiments, in which the control unit generates transition procedure information for resuming treatment of the patient based on the other patient information and displays the information on the display, thereby making it possible to easily understand the transition procedure and to easily and quickly perform information transition.

[0196] A tenth embodiment of the present disclosure is any of the second to ninth embodiments, in which the control unit compares the patient information stored in the storage unit with the other patient information transferred from the other blood purification device, extracts difference information, and displays it on the display. This makes it easy to understand the content that is different from before in the process related to information transfer, making it possible to transfer information easily and quickly.

[0197] An eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure is any one of the second to tenth embodiments, further comprising a reading unit that reads the identification marker displayed as the other patient information, and an input port to which the information acquisition device storing the other patient information is connected and to which the other patient information is input. This allows patient information to be transferred using two blood purification devices, making it possible to transfer information easily and quickly.

[0198] A twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure is a blood purification system comprising: a first blood purification apparatus for purifying a patient's blood; a second blood purification apparatus selected as an alternative to the first blood purification apparatus; and a server connected to the first and second blood purification apparatuses via a communication line. The first blood purification apparatus comprises a memory unit for storing patient information including the patient's unique data and treatment data; an output unit for outputting the patient information to the outside via an information acquisition device used by an operator of the first blood purification apparatus; a communication unit for transmitting the patient information to the server via the communication line; and a control unit for controlling either the output unit or the communication unit and performing processing to transfer the patient information to the second blood purification apparatus. Since information transfer is performed by selecting one of the transfer methods for different devices, it is possible to adopt the optimal transfer method corresponding to the state of the blood purification apparatus or the installation environment of the blood purification apparatus. This allows for easy and accurate information transfer and shortens the lead time until treatment resumes.

[0199] In a thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, in the twelfth embodiment, the server generates transition procedure information for resuming treatment of the patient in the second blood purification device and differential information between the first blood purification device and the second blood purification device based on the patient information received from the first blood purification device and the past patient information of the second blood purification device, and transmits the information to the second blood purification device. Since it becomes possible to easily grasp the content relating to the information transfer that is different from before, it becomes possible to transfer the information easily and quickly.

[0200] A fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure is an information transfer method for transferring patient information from a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, the information transfer method including the patient's unique data and treatment data, storing the patient information in a memory unit of the blood purification device, selecting either an operator-intervention type transfer method in which the patient information is transferred by externally outputting it via an information acquisition device used by the operator of the blood purification device, or a communication-based transfer method in which the patient information is transferred by externally transmitting it using a communication line, and transferring the patient information based on the selected transfer method. In this way, the information transfer is performed by selecting either the operator-intervention type transfer method or the communication-based transfer method, which differs in the equipment used, so that the optimal transfer method can be adopted depending on the state of the blood purification device or the installation environment of the blood purification device, thereby enabling easy and accurate information transfer and shortening the lead time until treatment resumes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0201] 1. Blood purification system 2. Hospital 3. Blood purification device 4. In-hospital server (in-facility server) 5. Mobile devices 7. Cloud server (off-site server) 13 Input / output section 13a Display 13b Input / Output Port 17 Information processing equipment 18 Communications Department 19 Reading unit 21 Control section 22 Memory section

Claims

1. A blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, A storage unit that stores patient information including the patient's unique data and treatment data, An output unit that outputs the patient information to the outside via an information acquisition device used by the operator of the blood purification device, A communication unit that transmits the patient information to an external source using a communication line, A blood purification device having a control unit that controls either the output unit or the communication unit to transfer the patient information according to the state in which the blood purification device is placed.

2. The output unit comprises a display that displays the patient information as an identification marker, and an output port to which the information acquisition device is connected, and outputs the patient information via either the display or the output port. The communication unit transmits the patient information via the communication line to an in-facility server located in the facility where the blood purification device is installed, or to an external server located outside the facility. The blood purification device according to claim 1.

3. The information acquisition device is a reading device that reads the identification marker or an external storage device connected to the output port. The control unit, A first transfer method comprising generating the aforementioned identification marker and displaying it on the display, and performing information transfer by reading it with the reading device, A second transfer method for transferring information by storing the patient information in the external storage device via the output unit, A third migration method for transferring information by transmitting the patient information to the in-facility server via the communication unit, and Based on the final selection information, one of the following four migration methods is determined: the patient information is transmitted to the external server via the communication unit to perform the information transfer. The blood purification device according to claim 2.

4. The final selection information is either the operator selection information selected by the operator, or the control unit selection information selected by the control unit. The blood purification device according to claim 3.

5. The storage unit stores initial selection information, which includes at least one of the first to fourth transition methods initially selected by the operator. The control unit, before transferring the patient information, displays the final selected image of the transfer method on the display based on the initial selection information and acquires the operator selection information. The blood purification device according to claim 4.

6. The storage unit stores initial selection information, which includes at least one of the first to fourth transition methods initially selected by the operator. The control unit generates the control unit selection information based on the initial selection information, the installation environment information of the blood purification device, the status information of the blood purification device, and the operator's response information. The blood purification device according to claim 4.

7. The control unit generates initial selection information, including at least one of the first to fourth transition methods, based on the installation environment information of the blood purification device, and stores it in the storage unit. Before transferring the patient information, the final selected image for the transfer method is displayed on the display based on the initial selection information, and the operator selection information is acquired. The blood purification device according to claim 4.

8. The control unit displays other patient information transferred from other blood purification devices on the display. The blood purification device according to claim 2.

9. The control unit generates transition procedure information for resuming treatment for the patient based on the other patient information and displays it on the display. The blood purification device according to claim 8.

10. The control unit compares the patient information stored in the storage unit with the other patient information transferred from the other blood purification device, extracts the difference information, and displays it on the display. The blood purification device according to claim 8 or 9.

11. A reading unit that reads the identification marker displayed as other patient information, The information acquisition device, which stores the other patient information, is connected to an input port to which the other patient information is input, A blood purification device according to claim 8, having the following features.

12. A first blood purification device for purifying the patient's blood, The second blood purification device, selected as a replacement for the first blood purification device described above, The system comprises the first blood purification device and the second blood purification device, and a server connected to the first blood purification device via a communication line. The first blood purification device includes a storage unit that stores patient information, including patient-specific data and treatment data, An output unit that outputs the patient information to the outside via an information acquisition device used by the operator of the first blood purification device, A communication unit that transmits the patient information to the server using the aforementioned communication line, A blood purification system comprising: a control unit that controls either the output unit or the communication unit, and performs processing to transfer the patient information to the second blood purification device according to the state in which the first blood purification device is placed.

13. The server generates transition procedure information for resuming treatment of the patient in the second blood purification device, and differential information between the first and second blood purification devices, based on the patient information received from the first blood purification device and the past patient information of the second blood purification device, and transmits these to the second blood purification device. The blood purification system according to claim 12.

14. An information transfer method for transferring patient information from a blood purification device that purifies a patient's blood, according to the state in which the blood purification device is installed, The steps include storing the patient information, including the patient's unique data and treatment data, in the storage unit of the blood purification device, The step of selecting either an operator-intervention type transfer method, in which the patient information is output to the outside via an information acquisition device used by the operator of the blood purification device, or a communication type transfer method, in which the patient information is transmitted to the outside using a communication line. A step of transferring the patient information based on the selected transfer method, A method for transferring information.

15. The blood purification device according to claim 1, wherein the destination for the transfer of the patient information is another blood purification device.

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