Patient monitor with one or more universal ports

Abstract

The present invention relates to a patient monitor having one or more universal ports, each configured to connect a cable for supplying measurement signals from a subject, the cable having a universal connector that fits the universal port, to the patient monitor, the patient monitor having a selection unit, a distribution network, an analog front end unit, and one or more processing units.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient monitor having one or more universal ports for connecting a cable having a universal connector that fits any universal port. [Background technology]

[0002] To acquire the subject's vital signs in the patient monitor, consumables such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) lead set, an oxygen saturation (SpO2) sensor, an end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) sensor, and a blood pressure cuff are used to connect the patient to the patient monitor. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The primary function of these consumables is to transmit a measurement signal (eg, electrical potential or current) to a patient monitor, where further signal processing occurs to determine and display vital signs.

[0004] Recently, there has been a trend to add signal processing to consumables, including, for example, analog to digital conversion, thus making the consumables "smart." [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a patient monitor that allows for easy and flexible use of consumables with said patient monitor.

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, one or more universal ports each configured to connect to a cable for supplying measurement signals from the subject to a patient monitor, the universal ports having a universal connector that fits into the universal ports; a selection unit configured to obtain cable information from the connected cable and to determine, based on the cable information, a cable type of the connected cable and a type of measurement for which the connected cable is configured; a distribution network configured to supply measurement signals from one or more universal ports to corresponding processing units directly or via an analog front-end unit based on the cable type and the measurement type; an analog front end unit configured to convert an analog measurement signal from analog to digital and to provide the converted measurement signal to the distribution network; one or more processing units, each configured to process the measurement signal based on the measurement type and to output a processed measurement signal; A patient monitor having:

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] The present invention is based on the idea that an entity, such as a hospital, is unlikely to completely switch from using standard (analog) cables to exclusively using smart (digital) cables throughout its facilities. Therefore, smart cables and standard cables will coexist. This complicates asset management: digital ports do not support standard (analog) cables, and standard (analog) ports do not support smart (digital) cables. This can cause problems in terms of workflow and backward compatibility. It is difficult for users to understand that smart cables can only be used with digital ports, and standard cables cannot be connected to digital ports. This also creates confusion and uncertainty among hospital staff, preventing a smooth adoption of the smart cable solution.

[0009] The present invention provides a patient monitor having one or more universal ports configured to connect universal connectors of cables. A user (e.g., hospital staff) using the patient monitor to initialize one or more measurements on a subject (or patient, e.g., human or animal) can plug the universal connector of a cable connected to a sensor placed on the subject into any one of the universal ports, regardless of the cable type (e.g., analog or digital) and the measurement type (e.g., ECG, SpO2, etc.). Upon connecting the cable, the patient monitor can automatically obtain cable information from the connected cable and determine the cable type and the measurement type. Based on the measurement type, the measurement signal may be internally processed by a corresponding processing unit, if necessary, before converting from a non-digital signal to a digital signal based on the cable type. Signal processing may include, for example, filtering or artifact suppression of the measurement signal. The processed measurement signal can then be output by the patient monitor, for example, for visualization for user interpretation.

[0010] A patient monitor according to the present invention has one or more universal ports that accept both analog (or "standard") cables and digital (e.g., smart) cables. Thus, the present invention allows for easy and flexible use of different types of cables and / or different types of measurements on the same universal port of the same patient monitor. For example, a smart (digital) cable and a standard (analog) cable, each with a universal connector, can be flexibly used (one used, then the other) on the same universal port. In this way, the present invention helps improve the handling of consumables with patient monitors. Thus, the present invention supports adapting solutions for smart cables.

[0011] In other words, the distribution network is typically configured to selectively route measurement signals from the cable to the processing unit via an analog front end unit, or alternatively directly to the processing unit (without going through the analog front end unit), depending on the type of cable detected.

[0012] For example, if the cable is detected to be of a type that includes analog-to-digital conversion circuitry, the signal is sent directly to the processing unit; if the cable is not of a type that includes such circuitry, the signal is sent through the patient monitor's analog front end unit.

[0013] Preferably, the selection unit is configured to determine whether the measurement signal acquired from the connected cable is an analog signal or a digital signal. Thus, the selection unit can determine the type of cable by distinguishing between analog and digital measurement signals. This can also be done based on cable information, which indicates that the measurement type indicates an analog measurement or requires analog measurement, or indicates that the cable is an analog cable. Thus, the acquired measurement signal can be sent to the analog front end.

[0014] In one embodiment, the selection unit is further configured to obtain cable information having a cable identification (ID), the cable information comprising: stored in a memory provided within the cable, stored as an optically readable identification on the cable; and / or It is stored on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or near field communication (NFC) tag located in or on the cable.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention provides several options / alternatives for the selection unit to obtain cable information from the cable, all options / alternatives ensuring a fast and reliable setup of one or more measurements with the patient monitor. For example, the optically readable identification may be a barcode or a QR code. In another example, the cable information may be stored in a memory or an NFC tag provided in the connector of the cable.

[0016] In another embodiment, the selection unit is further configured to determine the cable type and / or the measurement type based on the measurement signals. This is based on the idea that each measurement signal has specific characteristics that allow it to be distinguished from other measurement signals, and that the characteristics of the measurement signal indicate or determine the type of connected cable. Thus, the selection unit can determine the cable type and / or the measurement type, for example, even if no cable information is obtained from the connected cable (e.g., the cable information is unreadable, incomplete, or unavailable at all). Thus, a fast and reliable setup of one or more measurements using the patient monitor is ensured.

[0017] Preferably, the patient monitor further comprises a user interface configured to receive a user input indicating a cable type and / or a measurement type. Thus, the selection unit can determine the cable type and the measurement type without obtaining cable information from a connected cable. Thus, a fast and reliable setup of said measurements using the patient monitor is ensured.

[0018] In one embodiment, the selection unit is configured to determine default values ​​for the cable type and / or measurement type if no cable information is obtained from the connected cable. The user interface may be configured to request the user to verify this default value. In this way, the user is informed about the arrival of the default value and can obtain a request for information on the cable type and / or measurement type. The user can adapt the default value to the actual cable type and / or actual measurement type. Thus, a fast and reliable setup of one or more measurements of a subject using the patient monitor is ensured.

[0019] In another embodiment, the user interface is configured to request the user to verify the cable type and / or measurement type determined by the selection unit. In this way, the user can accept or change the determined cable type and / or the determined measurement type as required, which is a comfortable and quick way for the user to initially set up one or more measurements while ensuring correct setup of the one or more measurements with the patient monitor.

[0020] Preferably, the patient monitor further comprises one or more drive units for controlling one or more measurements performed on the subject, each drive unit being configured to be connected to the universal port based on one or more control signals from the selection unit. These drive units can assist in performing measurements on the subject. For example, the pulse length of an oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurement can be adjusted by the drive unit to suit the subject's skin tone. The control signals provided by the selection unit ensure that each measurement is matched by a corresponding drive unit suitable for assisting in performing the particular measurement.

[0021] Preferably, the analog front end unit is further configured to amplify and / or filter the analog measurement signal, in this way the quality of the analog signal is maintained / guaranteed, for example over long cables.

[0022] In one embodiment, the distribution network and / or the analog front-end unit may have one or more switching elements for processing the measurement signal based on one or more control signals obtained from the selection unit. In this way, the switching elements make it possible to ensure that the measurement signal is correctly processed based on the determined cable type and the determined measurement type. For example, the switching elements make it possible to direct the measurement signal to a specific analog front-end unit and / or a specific processing unit. Thus, the switching elements can ensure that a specific type of measurement is processed by a specific processing unit and / or a specific analog front-end unit.

[0023] In another embodiment, the patient monitor can further include an adapter having a first adapter port configured to connect to a non-universal connector on a cable and a second adapter port configured to connect to a universal port. The adapter allows cables having proprietary connectors to be used with the patient monitor. Thus, the adapter can help eliminate the need to redesign the non-universal connector on a standard cable to fit the universal port.

[0024] Preferably, the adapter further includes an adapter analog front-end circuit, an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog measurement signal into a digital measurement signal, and a serializer configured to convert a first number of input signals of the digital measurement signal into a second number of output signals. The adapter with the serializer can enable the use of a standard cable having a connector with more pins than the universal port supports. The universal port supports, for example, eight pins, and the serializer can convert more than eight signals, for example, ten signals, into eight signals suitable for the universal port. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a measurement of a subject according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a patient monitor according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a patient monitor according to the present invention having a user interface. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a patient monitor according to the invention having one or more drive units. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a patient monitor according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a distribution network, such as may be used in the patient monitor shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a patient monitor according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a distribution network, such as may be used in the patient monitor shown in FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an analog front-end unit according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a schematic embodiment of a distribution network according to the invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of an analog front-end unit according to the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a patient monitor according to the present invention with an adapter. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an adapter, such as may be used with the patient monitor shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] 1 schematically illustrates measurements of a subject 30 using a patient monitor 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A sensor 32 (e.g., an ECG lead set, an SpO2 sensor, or an EtCO2 sensor) is placed on the subject 30 to obtain / acquire a measurement signal. A cable 34 is configured to transmit the measurement signal from the sensor 32 to the patient monitor 10 via a universal connector 36 that fits into the universal port 12. The measurement signal (e.g., vital signs) is then processed by and displayed on the patient monitor 10.

[0027] 2 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a patient monitor 10 according to the present invention having two universal ports 12. However, a patient monitor 10 can generally have any number of universal ports 12, i.e., one or more universal ports 12.

[0028] Typically, consumables (e.g., ECG sensors, etc.) used to measure a subject (e.g., in a hospital) have different connectors (e.g., with different numbers of pins) and / or different types of cables (e.g., configured to transmit analog or digital data). A port on a patient monitor is generally specialized for one type of cable and one type of measurement. Therefore, a cable must be connected to the corresponding specific port.

[0029] The number of ports on a patient monitor is typically limited (e.g., by the size of the patient monitor), so only a certain number of different measurement types can be connected to the patient monitor using a particular type of cable. Also, users (e.g., hospital staff) may not understand why a digital cable does not fit into an analog port (a port configured to connect to an analog cable), or why an analog cable does not fit into a digital port (configured to connect to a digital cable), or why an analog cable does not fit into a digital port (configured to connect to a digital cable), even though the ports correspond to the same type of measurement to be performed on the subject.

[0030] The present invention allows for the use of analog and digital (e.g., smart) cables with any one of (typically) multiple universal ports 12 on the patient monitor 10. This allows for greater flexibility and easier handling of consumables used to measure subjects while ensuring proper setup of measurements with the patient monitor.

[0031] A patient monitor 10 according to the present invention may have one or more universal ports 12, each configured to connect a cable having a universal connector 36 compatible with the universal port 12, for supplying measurement signals from a subject 30 to the patient monitor 10. A user initializing one or more measurements can connect the universal connector of a cable connected to a sensor 32 placed on the subject 30 to any one of the universal ports 12, regardless of the cable type (e.g., analog or digital) and the type of measurement (e.g., ECG, SpO2, etc.). Upon connecting the cable, the patient monitor 10 can automatically obtain cable information from the connected cable and determine the cable type and the type of measurement. Based on the type of measurement, the measurement signal may be internally processed by a corresponding processing unit, if necessary, before converting a non-digital signal to a digital signal based on the cable type. The processed measurement signal may be output, for example, for visualization to a user. Thus, the present invention allows for the easy and flexible use of different types of cables and / or different types of measurements on the same universal port 12 of the same patient monitor 10.

[0032] The term "universal" refers to the ability of the universal port to accept different types of cables and / or to accept cables used to perform different types of measurements on a subject.

[0033] The term "port" refers to a location at / on a patient monitor to which a cable connects via a connector on the cable, where the port is configured to obtain electrical information (e.g., measurement signals, cable information from memory, etc.) from the connected cable.

[0034] The term "analog cable" refers to a cable configured to transmit analog information, particularly analog measurement signals, to a patient monitor.

[0035] The term "analog port" refers to a port configured to connect to an analog cable.

[0036] The term "digital cable" refers to a cable configured to transmit digital information, particularly digital measurement signals, to a patient monitor.

[0037] The term "smart cable" refers to a cable configured for signal processing, including analog-to-digital conversion. This includes cables configured to convert information (e.g., analog measurement signals) to analog-to-digital, for example, at the cable's connector.

[0038] The term "digital port" refers to a port configured to connect to a digital cable.

[0039] The term "consumable" refers to one or more sensors used for a particular measurement (e.g., ECG, SpO2, blood pressure, etc.) and one or more cables with connectors configured to transmit measurement signals, such as vital signs obtained from the sensors placed on a subject for measurement, to a port on a patient monitor.

[0040] The term "setup" refers to the initial configuration of a subject's measurements using a patient monitor, and includes connecting one or more cable connectors to the (universal) ports of the patient monitor, and the patient monitor determining the correct type of cable and the correct type of measurement to process the measurement signals appropriately.

[0041] The patient monitor 10 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a selection unit 14, a distribution network 16, an analog front-end (AFE) unit 18, and one or more processing units 20.

[0042] The selection unit 14 is configured to obtain cable information from the connected cables and determine what type of measurement and what type of cable is connected to each universal port 12. The patient monitor 10 may generally have any number of universal ports 12, i.e., one or more universal ports 12. For each universal port 12, the selection unit 14 may determine whether the cable is an analog (“standard”) cable or a digital (e.g., smart) cable and what type of measurement (e.g., ECG, SpO2, EtC02, etc.) is being performed. Based on the cable type and measurement type, the selection unit 14 may provide one or more control signals to the distribution network 16 and the AFE unit 18. The selection unit 14 may further provide one or more control signals to one or more processing units 20 (the control signals to the processing units 20 are not shown in FIG. 2 ).

[0043] The distribution network 16 can connect each universal port 12 to a corresponding processing unit 20 either directly or via an analog front-end (AFE) unit 18. The selection is based on one or more control signals defined by the selection unit 14. The AFE unit 18 performs analog-to-digital conversion on each analog measurement signal, i.e., a measurement signal from an analog (“standard” or “conventional”) cable. The AFE unit 18 can have switches controlled by one or more control signals from the selection unit 14 to connect the universal port 12, and therefore the measurement signal, to corresponding internal circuitry of the AFE 18. In one embodiment according to the invention, the AFE unit 18 is further configured to perform front-end signal processing to amplify and / or filter the analog measurement signal.

[0044] The one or more processing units 20 may be any type of means configured to process one or more measurement signals. The processing unit 20 may be, for example, a microcontroller or a microprocessor. The processing unit 20 of each universal port 12 may process (e.g., filter, suppress artifacts, etc.) the measurement signals as needed before analog-to-digital conversion by the analog front-end (AFE) unit 18. In one embodiment, the processing unit 20 may transmit the processed signals to a monitor display for visualization (e.g., a patient monitor has a monitor display) or to an external device (e.g., a mobile device, a command center, an electronic medical record (EMR), etc.).

[0045] The patient monitor 10 may further include a user interface 22, for example, as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and / or one or more drive units 24, for example, as shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] The patient monitor 10 can further include one or more non-universal ports. For example, one or more non-universal ports can accommodate measurements (sometimes considered core measurements), such as oxygen saturation (SpO2), electrocardiogram (ECG), non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), etc., and one or more universal ports 10 can accommodate additional measurements, such as spot check temperature, end-tidal (EtCO2) measurements, electroencephalogram (EEG), etc. Thus, using both universal and non-universal ports in a patient monitor helps introduce universal ports and smart cables to the market, although it may take time for them to be used for all different types of measurements.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the embodiment of the patient monitor 10 shown in FIG. 2 , further comprising a user interface 22 through which a user can provide information (user input) to the patient monitor 10. For example, the user interface 22 can be a graphical user interface (GUI), e.g., a touchscreen. The selection unit 14 is configured to obtain the user input from the user interface 22. The user input can include a cable type and / or a measurement type. In this manner, the selection unit 14 can determine the cable type and the measurement type based on the obtained cable information and / or the user input. For example, if cable information is not obtained from the connected cable, the selection unit 14 can determine the cable type and the measurement type from the user input provided by the user interface 22.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the embodiment of the patient monitor 10 shown in Figure 2, further comprising one or more drive units 24. The drive units 24 may comprise dedicated driver circuits for the (analog) measurements supported by the patient monitor 10.

[0049] The individual driver circuits are connected to the corresponding universal ports 12 by switches (not shown in FIG. 4) controlled by one or more control signals defined by a selection unit 14 based on the determined measurement type and / or the determined cable type. The switches are, for example, controlled by the control signal Sel_driv <i:n>where N is the number of (analog) measurements that the patient monitor 10 supports and i corresponds to the signal number (e.g., signal 1 or signal 2).

[0050] The patient monitor 10 can have one or more drive units 24 to accommodate specific measurements on a subject. The universal port 12 can accommodate eight pins, e.g., (i) power, (ii) ground / shield, (iii) one-wire (for cable identification), and (iv) a data line. Even if the cable connector has the same number of pins, e.g., eight pins in this example, not all of these pins on the connector 36 are compatible with the universal port 12. For example, an SpO2 sensor with two LEDs (light-emitting diodes) requires two power lines and dedicated driver electronics to perform a measurement. Therefore, the driver electronics provided in the one or more drive units 24 enable specific measurements, such as the described SpO2 measurement, to be performed.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of the patient monitor 10 shown in FIG. 2. In the example shown in FIG. 5, one digital cable 38 and one analog cable 40 are each connected to the universal port 12. As shown in FIG. 5, both the digital cable 38 and the analog cable 40 have connectors 36 that fit into the universal port 12. The digital cable 38 may include a smart cable dongle that implements electronics, i.e., an analog front-end (AFE) circuit for specific measurements, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a memory device, such as an electrically erasable programmable memory (EEPROM), that stores the cable identification (ID) of the digital cable 38. The digital cable 38 may further include a signal processing unit, such as a microcontroller or microprocessor (not shown in FIG. 5). The analog cable 40 may or may not include a memory device, such as an EEPROM.

[0052] Each universal port 12 is connected via a distribution network 16 to a dedicated (corresponding) signal processing unit 20 (e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor) via an analog front-end (AFE) unit 18, if necessary. The main role of the processing unit 20 is to process the measurement signal (e.g., filtering, artifact suppression, etc.) and send the processed signal to, for example, the screen of a patient monitor for visualization (patient monitor with a monitor screen) or to an external device (e.g., mobile device, command center, electronic medical record (EMR), etc.).

[0053] If the cable has a cable identification stored in a memory device, for example, an EEPROM, the selection unit 14 can retrieve the cable identification stored in the memory device. Based on the retrieved cable identification, the selection unit 14 can determine what type of measurement and / or what type of cable is connected to each universal port 12. Thus, for each universal port 12, the selection unit 14 can determine whether the cable is an analog (standard, conventional) cable or a digital (e.g., smart) cable and what type of measurement (e.g., ECG, SpO2, etc.) will be performed. The cable information may be stored, for example, in a barcode or QR code on the cable / cable connector, or in an RFID or NFC tag provided on / in the cable.

[0054] Preferably, the selection unit 14 may receive input from a user interface 22 (e.g., a monitor screen) of the patient monitor 10 to allow a user to select or input a cable type and measurement type for each universal port 12. This option may be required if the cable and / or cable connector does not provide cable identification.

[0055] The selection unit 14 may, for example, provide three control signals defined as follows:

[0056] A first control signal Sel_A<1:P> is shown for each measurement signal if the measurement is analog ("standard cable"), where P is the number of universal ports 12, and the first control signal Sel_A<1:P> has a vector with P entries. In FIG. 5, two universal ports 12 are shown, i.e., P=2, so two sub-signals Sel_A<1:P> are shown. <1> and Sel_A <2> The first control signal may be input to a distribution network 16 as shown in Figure 5. It is also noted that the first control signal may be input to a processing unit 20 (not shown in Figure 5).

[0057] A second control signal Sel_D<1:P> is shown for each measurement signal if the measurement is digital (e.g., smart cable), where P is the number of universal ports 12, and the second control signal Sel_D<1:P> has a vector with P entries. In FIG. 5, two universal ports 12 are shown, i.e., P=2, so two sub-signals Sel_D <1> and Sel_D <2> The second control signal may be input to the distribution network 16 as shown in Figure 5. It is also noted that the second control signal may be input to the processing unit 20 (not shown in Figure 5).

[0058] Third control signal Sel_Meas <p:n>indicates the type of measurement (e.g., ECG, SpO2, etc.), P is the number of universal ports 12, N is the number of (analog) measurements the patient monitor supports, and the third control signal Sel_Meas <p:n>has a matrix of P×N entries. The third control signal may be input to AFE unit 18, as shown in Figure 5. It is also noted that the third control signal may be input to processing unit 20 (not shown in Figure 5).

[0059] The selection unit 14 may provide any number and / or type of control signals suitable for controlling the processing of one or more measurement signals obtained from one or more connected cables.

[0060] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a distribution network 16 that may be used, for example, in the embodiment of patient monitor 10 shown in Figure 5. Only one "channel," i.e., one universal port 12, is shown in Figure 6. The input signal I <1> is connected to universal port 12 numbered 1. Output signal O <1> are connected to the corresponding processing units 20. <1> is the input signal to the analog front-end (AFE) unit 18, and the signal AO <1> is the output signal of the AFE unit 18. The distribution network 16 generates the first control signal Sel_A <1> and the second control signal Sel_D <1> In the case of a digital measurement signal, the second control signal Sel_D <1> When is equal to 1, the switch S1 is closed, thereby <1> Output signal O <1> In this situation, the first control signal Sel_A <1> is equal to 0, which keeps the switches S2 and S3 open. In the case of an analog measurement signal, the first control signal Sel_A <1> is equal to 1, switches S2 and S3 are closed, thereby reducing the input signal I <1> The input signal AI of AFE unit 18 <1> and the output signal AO of the AFE unit 18. <1> Output signal O <1> In this situation, the second control signal Sel_D <1> is equal to 0, which leaves the switch S1 open. Therefore, the selection unit 14 operates in accordance with the following equation:

number

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a patient monitor 10 according to the present invention. In FIG. 7, one smart (digital) cable 38 and one analog (standard) cable 40 are each connected to a universal port 12. However, the patient monitor 10 can generally have any number of universal ports 12, i.e., one or more universal ports 12. As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the two control signals provided by the selection unit 14 (Sel_A<1:P> and Sel_D<1:P> in FIG. 5) can be replaced with one control signal (Sel<1:P> in FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7, the selection unit 14 provides one control signal to the distribution network 16 instead of two control signals, as compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a distribution network 16 for one universal port 12, used with the embodiment of the patient monitor 10 shown in FIG. 7.

[0062] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a distribution network 16 that may be used for one universal port 12, for example, in the embodiment of patient monitor 10 shown in Figure 7. It should be noted that the distribution network 16 may generally be configured for any number of universal ports 12, i.e., one or more universal ports 12.

[0063] The distribution unit 16 shown in Fig. 8 has three switches S1, S2 and S3 for directing one measurement signal from one universal port 12. The control signal Sel <1> is applied to the first switch S1. This control signal is inverted by an inverter and also applied to the second switch S2 and the third switch S3. Therefore, since Equation 1 is implemented in the circuitry of the distribution network 16, Equation 1 is always satisfied.

[0064] 9 illustrates an embodiment of an analog front-end (AFE) unit 18 according to the present invention. In FIG. 9, only two "channels," i.e., two universal ports 12, are shown. However, a patient monitor 10 may generally have any number of universal ports 12, i.e., one or more universal ports 12. As mentioned above, the input signal AI of the AFE unit 18 (i.e., A <1> and A <2> ), as well as the output signal AO of the AFE unit 18. (i.e., AO <1> and A.O. <2> ) are connected to the distribution network 16 as shown in FIGS.

[0065] Analog front-end (AFE) unit 18 may include N analog front-end (AFE) circuits and N analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), where N is the number of (analog) measurements supported by patient monitor 10. In this example, AFE unit 18 supports ECG, SpO2, temperature, and EEG (or work of breathing, WoB), so N=4. Each AFE circuit is specifically designed for one type of measurement.

[0066] Each input signal AI to the AFE unit 18 can be connected to no AFE circuit (if the cable is a digital (smart) cable and therefore not connected to the AFE unit 18) or connected to one AFE circuit via a corresponding switch (if the cable is an analog cable). These switches are controlled by control signals Sel_meas<(P:N)>, where P is the number of universal ports 12 and N is the number of measurements supported by the patient monitor 10.

[0067] The same control signal is sent to the corresponding ADC to generate the correct output signal AO The selection unit 14 can ensure that the AFE circuit is connected to two or more inputs (i.e., two or more AI signal).

[0068] 10 shows a schematic embodiment of a distribution network 16 according to the present invention. When a digital cable is connected to a corresponding universal port 12 (see, for example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 11), an input signal AI is not connected to any analog front-end (AFE) circuitry (i.e., all switches in this "channel" remain open). <p:n>is set, the distribution network 16 is simplified as shown in Figure 10. In this case, switches S2 and S3 as shown in Figures 6 and 8 are not required.

[0069] For example, if a digital (e.g., smart) cable is connected to universal port 12 numbered 1 (corresponding to "Channel 1"), switch S1 will receive input signal I <1> is the output signal O <1> corresponds to, i.e., I <1> =O <1> The control signal is Sel_meas<1:4>=(0,0,0,0) (when N=4), and the input signal AI <1> to each AFE circuit are opened. On the other hand, if an analog cable is connected to universal port 12 numbered 1 (corresponding to "channel 1"), switch S1 is controlled to be open, connecting the measurement signal obtained from universal port 1 to the AFE unit 18. For example, for channel 1, the control signal is Sel_meas<1:4>=(0,1,0,0), thus indicating the SpO2 measurement, and the input signal AI to the AFE unit 18 is <1> is connected to the corresponding AFE circuit for the SpO2 measurement signal (see FIG. 10).

[0070] 11 shows an embodiment of the analog front-end unit 18 according to the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 11 uses the control signal Sel_meas <p:n>is correctly set, i.e., implemented in hardware. As shown in FIG. 11, an additional circuit with NOT and AND gates is implemented in either the selection unit 14 or the analog front-end (AFE) unit 18. The additional circuit is implemented in the selection unit 14 or the analog front-end (AFE) unit 18.

number

[0071] Figure 12 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the patient monitor 10 further including an adapter 26. Figure 13 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the adapter 26 shown in Figure 12. The embodiments shown in Figures 12 and 13 are based on the idea that if a cable has a connector with more pins than the universal port 12 can accommodate, the cable may not be usable with the universal port 12. A possible solution is to use an adapter 26 having a first adapter port 27 configured to connect to the non-universal connector of a cable 40 and a second adapter port 29 configured to connect to the universal port 12. A cable 40 with a non-universal connector is connected to the first adapter port 27, and the second adapter port 29 is connected to the universal port 12 of the patient monitor 10.

[0072] The adapter 26 may include an analog front-end (AFE) circuit, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a serializer 28 configured to convert a first number X of signals received by the analog cable into Y signals corresponding to the universal port 12, where X is generally greater than Y.

[0073] The adapter 26 may have X input signals, i.e., the number of pins on the cable. These input signals DI<1:X> to the adapter 26 may be provided to an AFE circuit for a particular measurement (e.g., ECG). After analog-to-digital conversion, the X signals may be provided as inputs to the patient monitor 10 as inputs to a serializer circuit that converts the X signals into output signals DO<1:Y> of the adapter 26, where Y may be a number of signals supported by the patient monitor. For example, X may be 10 and Y may be 8. In another example, the adapter converts the X input signals to provide a serial data stream for one or more data receive lines of the universal port 12.

[0074] This implementation provides two main advantages: (i) analog cables having connectors with more pins than the universal port 12 can accommodate can still be used with the patient monitor 10, and (ii) the non-universal connectors of these analog cables do not need to be redesigned to fit the universal port 12.

[0075] Adapter 26 can be used to connect any type of analog cable to universal port 12, regardless of the number of pins (even analog cables with a number of pins equal to or less than the number of pins that universal port 12 accommodates). Thus, this embodiment can provide a solution for connecting analog cables with more pins to universal port 12 than universal port 12 accommodates.

[0076] In summary, the present invention helps improve the handling of consumables (e.g., ECG lead sets, SpO2 sensors, end-tidal CO2 sensors, or blood pressure cuffs) using a patient monitor. To this end, the patient monitor has one or more universal ports, each configured to connect cables with universal connectors. For example, digital (e.g., smart) cables and analog ("standard" or "traditional") cables with universal connectors can be flexibly used on the same universal port. The patient monitor may automatically determine the type of cable connected to the patient monitor and / or the type of measurement to be performed on the subject. Thus, a user (e.g., hospital staff) can easily and flexibly set up one or more measurements on a subject using the patient monitor, while ensuring correct setup of the measurements.

[0077] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered exemplary or explanatory and not restrictive; that is, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0078] The word "comprises" does not exclude other elements or steps, nor does it exclude a plurality of elements or steps. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0079] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.< / p:n> < / p:n> < / p:n> < / p:n> < / i:n>

Claims

1. A patient monitor, wherein the patient monitor is One or more universal ports, each universal port configured to connect to a cable having a universal connector that fits the universal port for supplying measurement signals from a subject to the patient monitor, A selection unit configured to acquire cable information from the connected cable and, based on the cable information, determine the type of cable of the connected cable and the type of measurement on which the connected cable is set. A distribution network configured to selectively supply the measurement signals from one or more universal ports to the corresponding processing unit either i) directly or ii) via an analog front-end unit, based on the type of cable and the type of measurement; An analog front-end unit configured to convert an analog measurement signal from analog to digital and supply the converted measurement signal to the distribution network, One or more processing units, each configured to process the measurement signal based on the type of measurement and to output the processed measurement signal, A patient monitor having

2. The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is configured to determine whether the measurement signal obtained from the connected cable is a digital signal or an analog signal.

3. The selection unit is configured to acquire cable information having a cable identification, The aforementioned cable information is, The memory provided in the cable and / or The optically readable identifier provided on the cable is stored, and / or The information stored in the aforementioned cable or in a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag or near-field communication (NFC) tag provided on the cable. The patient monitor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is further configured to determine the type of cable and / or the type of measurement based on the measurement signal.

5. The patient monitor according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to receive user input indicating the type of cable and / or the type of measurement.

6. The patient monitor according to claim 5, wherein the selection unit is configured to determine default values ​​for the cable type and / or the measurement type if no cable information is obtained from the connected cable.

7. The patient monitor according to claim 6, wherein the user interface is configured to require the user to verify the default value.

8. The patient monitor according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the user interface is configured to require the user to verify the type of cable and / or the type of measurement determined by the selection unit.

9. The system further comprises one or more drive units for controlling one or more measurements of the subject, The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein each drive unit is configured to be connected to a universal port based on one or more control signals from the selection unit.

10. The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein the analog front-end unit is further configured to amplify and / or filter the analog measurement signal.

11. The patient monitor according to claim 1, wherein the distribution network and / or the analog front-end unit has one or more switching elements for processing the measurement signal based on a control signal obtained from the selection unit.

12. The patient monitor according to claim 1, further comprising an adapter having a first adapter port configured to connect to a non-universal connector of a cable and a second adapter port configured to connect to a universal port.

13. The aforementioned adapter is Analog front-end circuitry, An analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an analog measurement signal into a digital measurement signal, A serializer configured to convert a first number of input signals of the digital measurement signal into a second number of output signals, The patient monitor according to claim 12, further comprising the above.

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