A device comprising a main unit and accessories, and a method for detecting the placement of accessories in a docking area.

Abstract

For example, a device such as a defibrillator has a set of accessories, such as first and second paddles, which are received in a set of docking areas, such as first and second pockets. When the paddles are in the pockets, an electrical connection is made between the paddles and the pockets, and these electrical connections complete the electrical circuit that supplies power to the RFID tag reading function. The main unit then reads the information from the paddles. In this way, the RFID system operates only when the paddles are properly housed and does not operate when the paddles are simply near the RFID reader and still pose a safety hazard.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a device provided with an external accessory, and more particularly to the detection of an accessory used together with the main unit of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a defibrillator provided with paddles.

Background Art

[0002] Defibrillators are mainly used for defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, and other dangerous conditions. A typical defibrillator consists of a main unit and first and second external paddles, which are connected to the main unit via cables and attached to the paddle pockets of the main unit when not in use.

[0003] When treating a patient, the external paddles are removed from the pockets of the main unit and placed at specific positions on the patient's body. The main unit has, for example, a circuit for detecting the impedance of contact with the patient. When the impedance is within a given range, the main unit discharges defibrillation energy to the patient via the electrodes on the paddles.

[0004] It can be seen that the main unit can also be arranged to detect whether the external paddles are in the paddle pockets or not.

[0005] When the paddles are not present in the pockets, the main unit can provide an indication that the paddles are not accommodated instead of displaying the voltage measured between the paddles. During a self-test, the release of test energy via the paddles can also be suppressed unless the paddles are detected to be in the pockets. When the paddles are detected to be in the pockets, it is also possible to suppress the measurement of the impedance of contact with the patient.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] For example, a microswitch configuration is known to be used to detect the position of a paddle in a pocket associated with the paddle. This relies on the electrical and mechanical reliability of the microswitch itself, and when using a defibrillator, reliability is susceptible to external factors, leading to potential premature failure and reduced reliability of the microswitch. In some cases, the microswitch may be activated by human error, causing the defibrillator to false-detect. The defibrillator may then mistakenly release defibrillation energy into the external paddle, which poses a safety hazard to the user or patient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is defined by the claims.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, Main unit and, A first and second paddle located outside the main unit and connected to the main unit by a cable, wherein at least one of these paddles has at least one paddle electrical contact, The main unit comprises first and second sockets for housing the paddle, wherein at least one of these sockets has at least one socket electrical contact, An RFID tag having a tag antenna and a tag circuit provided on at least one paddle, An RFID reader having a reader antenna and a reader circuit is provided in the main unit, wherein the reader antenna is located near one of the pockets and the RFID reader and A defibrillator having the following is provided: Each paddle electrical contact is configured to contact the respective pocket electrical contact when the paddle is placed in the socket, and the RFID reader is able to read the data stored in the tag circuit only when the paddle electrical contact is in contact with the respective pocket electrical contact.

[0009] This defibrillator detects when the paddle is properly stored in its associated pocket. The electrical contacts between the paddle and the pocket complete the electrical circuit when the paddle is stored. This causes the RFID reader and / or RFID tag to operate so that the main unit can read the paddle's information. In this way, the RFID system operates only when the paddle is properly stored and does not operate when the paddle is simply near the RFID reader and could still pose a safety hazard. The use of RFID tags and RFID readers also allows the main unit to verify that the correct paddle is being used. The pocket electrical contacts and paddle electrical contacts act as sensors to detect when the paddle is in the pocket and enable the RFID reading function when there is electrical contact.

[0010] The defibrillator may further include, for example, a processor connected to an RFID reader that processes data read from the tag circuit.

[0011] In one example, the tag antenna and tag circuit operate only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contacts and the pocket electrical contacts. Therefore, the electrical connection that occurs when the paddle is in the pocket is used to power the tag circuit in the paddle. The tag circuit operates by an induced current (excited by the leader antenna) when the tag circuit and tag antenna are connected by electrical contact.

[0012] For example, a tag antenna has at least one paddle electrical contact and a tag coil extending between it and a tag circuit, where the circuit including the tag coil and the tag circuit is closed, and an RFID reader can read the data stored in the tag circuit only when the paddle electrical contacts are in contact with their respective pocket electrical contacts.

[0013] In one example, each paddle of the paddle has at least one paddle electrical contact, and only one of the paddles has an RFID tag.

[0014] Since RFID only works when both paddles are properly docked to their respective pockets, in this particular example, only one tag antenna (and tag circuit) is needed. Therefore, in this example, only one antenna and tag circuit are present. However, other examples may utilize multiple antennas and tag circuits.

[0015] For example, there are exactly two paddles and two pockets, and these pockets are located on top of the main unit.

[0016] In a certain implementation, Each of the two paddles has two paddle electrical contacts. Each of the two pockets has two pocket electrical contacts. The tag antenna has a coil connected in series with the RFID tag, and the series connection extends between the two paddle electrical contacts of each paddle. The other paddle has a connection between the two paddle electrical contacts of that paddle, An electrical connection is established between the corresponding pocket electrical contacts of the two pockets.

[0017] This is a possible example using two paddle electrical contacts. In this example, a closed circuit is formed when the paddles are in the pockets. This closed circuit includes a tag circuit (paddle side), an antenna (paddle side), a connection between the pockets (main unit side), and a connection between the paddle terminals (paddle side without a tag antenna and tag circuit).

[0018] In other examples, the RFID reader is in a closed circuit only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contacts and the pocket electrical contacts. In this case, the tag circuit and tag antenna on at least one paddle remain connected regardless of whether the paddle is in the pocket or not.

[0019] At this time, the leader circuit is within the closed circuit only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contact and the pocket electrical contact. In this way, due to the connection that occurs when the paddle is positioned within the pocket, it is the RFID reader rather than the tag circuit that operates.

[0020] For example, the reader antenna has a reader coil extending between at least one paddle electrical contact and the reader circuit, and the circuit between the reader coil and the reader circuit is closed. Therefore, only when the paddle electrical contacts contact their respective pocket electrical contacts, the RFID reader can read the data stored in the tag circuit.

[0021] Again, there are two paddles and two pockets.

[0022] In one implementation with two paddles and two pockets, each of the two paddles has two paddle electrical contacts, each of the two pockets has two pocket electrical contacts, each of the two paddles has a respective connection between the two paddle electrical contacts, an electrical connection is provided between the first pocket electrical contacts of the two pockets, and a leader circuit is connected in series between the second pocket electrical contacts of the two pockets.

[0023] In this way, a closed circuit is formed when the paddle is within the pocket. This closed circuit includes an antenna (paddle side), the connection between the pockets (main unit side), the connection between the paddle terminals (paddle side without a tag antenna and tag circuit), and the leader circuit (main unit side).

[0024] In another example, the tag antenna and tag circuit operate only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contacts and the pocket electrical contacts, and the reader antenna and reader circuit are in a closed circuit only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contacts and the pocket electrical contacts. This example combines the methods of the first and second examples by activating both the RFID tag and the RFID reader only when the paddle electrical contacts and the pocket electrical contacts are connected.

[0025] In all examples, the defibrillator may further have a processor that interprets RFID tag data and determines the type of paddle placed in the pocket.

[0026] The present invention also provides a method for detecting the placement of the first and second paddles in the first and second pockets of a defibrillator, wherein the defibrillator is: A main unit equipped with an RFID reader, A first and second paddle located outside the main unit and connected to the main unit by a cable, wherein at least one of the paddles has at least one paddle electrical contact, The main unit has first and second pockets for storing the paddle, and at least one of the pockets has a pocket electrical contact, and the first and second pockets The method has, and at least one paddle has an RFID tag having a tag antenna and a tag circuit, When the paddles are placed in the pockets, the step is to create electrical contact between each paddle electrical contact and each pocket electrical contact, The step of enabling the RFID reader to read the data stored in the tag circuit only when the paddle electrical contacts are in contact with the respective pocket electrical contacts. It has.

[0027] The present invention Main unit and, A set of accessories located outside the main unit and connected to the main unit by a cable, The main unit includes a set of docking areas for storing the accessories, Accessory electrical contacts in at least one accessory, A docking area electrical contact located in at least one docking area, wherein each accessory electrical contact is configured to contact the respective docking area electrical contact when the accessory is placed in the docking area, An RFID tag having a tag antenna and a tag circuit, provided on at least one accessory, An RFID reader provided in the main unit, having a reader antenna and a reader circuit, wherein the reader antenna is located near one of the docking areas, and the RFID reader and The device also provides such that the RFID reader can read data stored in the tag circuit only when the accessory electrical contacts are in contact with the respective docking area electrical contacts.

[0028] The device is, for example, an ECG system, where the accessories are ECG electrodes / cables, and the main unit is a processing and display unit for displaying ECG traces. The ECG electrodes / cables include, for example, an RFID chip and an antenna.

[0029] The present invention also provides a method for detecting the arrangement of a set of accessories in a set of docking areas of a device, and the device A main unit equipped with an RFID reader, A set of accessories located outside the main unit and connected to the main unit via a cable, An RFID tag having a tag antenna and a tag circuit, provided on at least one accessory, A set of docking areas for storing the accessories in the main unit, Accessory electrical contacts in at least one accessory, docking region electrical contacts in at least one docking region and The method has, When the accessory is placed in the docking area, the steps include creating electrical contact between each accessory's electrical contact and each docking area's electrical contact, The steps include enabling the RFID reader to read data stored in the tag circuit only when the accessory electrical contacts are in contact with the respective docking area electrical contacts, and It has.

[0030] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from and be explained with reference to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] For a better understanding of the present invention and to more clearly illustrate how the present invention is carried out, the accompanying drawings are referenced merely as examples. [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a first example of a defibrillator 10. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the electrical connections of the defibrillator in Figure 1 when the paddles are received in the pocket. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a second example of a defibrillator. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows how to detect the paddles of a defibrillator. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] The detailed descriptions and specific examples illustrate exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods, but these are for illustrative purposes only and should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems, and methods of the invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the appended drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to a specific scale. Also, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0034] The present invention provides a device such as a defibrillator, which in the case of a defibrillator receives a set of accessories, such as first and second paddles, in the case of a defibrillator, in a set of docking areas, such as first and second pockets. When the paddles are in the pockets, an electrical connection is made between the paddles and the pockets, and these electrical connections complete a circuit that supplies power to the RFID tag reading function. The information on the paddles is then read by the main unit. In this way, the RFID system operates only when the paddles are properly housed and does not operate when the paddles are simply near the RFID reader and a safety hazard may still exist.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a first example of a defibrillator 10.

[0036] The defibrillator comprises a main unit 20 and a paddle 30 having a first paddle 30a and a second paddle 30b. The main unit has a first pocket 40a and a second pocket 40b, each for receiving the respective paddle.

[0037] The paddles are used outside the main unit and are connected to the main unit by a cable 32. Each paddle has an electrode 33 for contact with the patient during treatment using the defibrillator.

[0038] When not in use, the paddle is stored in a pocket of a paddle tray 40 located in the main unit, which has two pockets 40a and 40b. The main unit may perform a self-test function while the paddle is stored. In Figure 1, the paddle is shown in a configuration in use, separated from the main unit.

[0039] Each paddle has associated electrical contacts. In this example, the first paddle 30a has two electrical contacts 34a and 34b, and the second paddle 30b has two electrical contacts 34c and 34d. The first paddle 30a has an RFID tag with a tag circuit 35 and a tag antenna 36. In the example shown in Figure 1, only one paddle requires the tag antenna 36 and the tag circuit 35, and accordingly, only one pocket has a tag antenna nearby (described later). In other examples, each paddle may have a tag antenna. The tag circuit stores data about the paddle, and this data is communicated using the tag antenna.

[0040] Each pocket also has associated electrical contacts. In this example, the first pocket 40a has two electrical contacts 42a and 42b, and the second paddle 40b has two electrical contacts 42c and 42d.

[0041] Each paddle electrical contact 34a to 34d is configured to contact the respective pocket electrical contacts 42a to 42d when the paddle is placed in the pocket. Thus, paddle electrical contact 34a contacts pocket electrical contact 42a, paddle electrical contact 34b connects to pocket electrical contact 42b, and so on.

[0042] The main unit is equipped with an RFID reader, which has a reader antenna 44 and a reader circuit 46. The reader antenna 44 is located near one of the pockets so that when the paddle is inside the pocket, the reader antenna can read data transmitted from the paddle using the tag antenna 36 of the paddle near that pocket.

[0043] The leader circuit is connected to processor 48.

[0044] The RFID reading function is only enabled when the paddle electrical contacts (of both paddles in this example) make contact with the respective pocket electrical contacts. Therefore, rather than providing an RFID function that operates as soon as the two tag antennas are close together, the present invention requires the electrical connection to be established in order to enable the RFID function. As will be apparent from the following examples, there are various ways to disable the RFID function until the electrical connection is established.

[0045] In this first example, the tag antenna 36 and the tag circuit 35 are connected in series between the contacts 34a and 34b of the first paddle, and a short circuit 38 is provided between the contacts 34c and 34d of the second paddle.

[0046] Pocket contacts 42a and 42c are connected by a short circuit 50a, and pocket contacts 42b and 42d are connected by a short circuit 50b.

[0047] When the paddle is away from the pocket, the series connection between the tag circuit 35 and the antenna 36 becomes an open circuit, so the reader circuit 46 cannot read data. In particular, no induced current flows through the tag antenna.

[0048] When the paddle is placed in the pocket, an electrical circuit is formed, so power is inductively transmitted to the paddle, enabling the RFID function. Therefore, in this example, the RFID function is passive, but an active RFID function is also possible.

[0049] In this way, the RFID system operates only when the paddle is properly positioned and will not operate when the paddle is simply near the RFID reader and could still pose a safety hazard. The use of RFID tags and RFID readers allows the main unit to verify that the correct paddle is being used.

[0050] Therefore, in this example, the RFID reader attempts to periodically read the data from the RFID tag (i.e., the normal reading function is always active), but the RFID reader can only succeed (i.e., read the tag data) when the paddle is placed inside the pocket.

[0051] Since the RFID function only works when both paddles are properly docked to their respective pockets, only one tag antenna and tag circuit are required.

[0052] Figure 2 shows the electrical connections when the paddle is in the pocket.

[0053] A closed circuit means that the tag circuit 35 can receive wireless power from the RFID reader (reader antenna 44 and reader circuit 46). A complete circuit is formed only when an electrical connection is made between the paddle and the pocket, allowing data to be read wirelessly from the RFID tag on the paddle. Furthermore, since both paddles need to be in their respective pockets to form a closed circuit, reading just one RFID tag will provide data for both pads.

[0054] Figure 3 shows a second example.

[0055] The same reference numerals are used for the same components as in Figure 1.

[0056] One paddle 30a has a tag antenna 36 and a tag circuit 35. However, these are separated into two contacts 34a and 34b. There is a short circuit 38a between the two contacts 34a and 34b. The other paddle 30b also has a short circuit 38b between its contacts, but does not require a tag antenna and a tag circuit.

[0057] In this example, the leader circuit 46 is located in a circuit that is completed only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contacts and the pocket electrical contacts. For this purpose, the leader circuit 46 is connected in series with the leader antenna 44 between the second pocket electrical contacts 42b and 42d of the two pockets, and a short circuit 50a is again provided between the first pocket electrical contacts 42a and 42c of the two pockets.

[0058] Therefore, the leader circuit 46 is in a closed circuit only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle and the pocket. The tag antenna 36 is connected regardless of whether the paddle is inside or outside the pocket.

[0059] Therefore, in this example, the RFID reader is only able to perform its reading function when the paddle is placed inside the pocket.

[0060] The closed circuit formed when the paddle is in the pocket includes the connection 50a between the pockets (on the main unit side), the connections 38a and 38b between the paddle terminals, the leader circuit 46 (on the main unit side), and the receiving antenna 44 (on the main unit side).

[0061] The tagging circuit then transmits information about the paddle again.

[0062] The present invention also provides a detection method using the paddle and pocket configuration described above. Figure 4 illustrates this method.

[0063] In step 60, the paddles are placed in the pockets of the defibrillation system described above. This creates electrical contact between the electrical contacts of each paddle and the electrical contacts of the respective pockets.

[0064] In step 62, the RFID reading function is enabled between the tag antenna on the paddle and the RFID reader on the main unit.

[0065] The example above shows two paddles, similar to a conventional defibrillator. However, the same concept can be applied to a single paddle, or even to three or more paddles.

[0066] In the first example above, the electrical contact between the paddle and the pocket acts as a switch for the RFID tag circuit (including the tag circuit and tag antenna). In the second example above, the electrical contact between the paddle and the pocket acts as a switch for the circuit including the reader coil and reading circuit. Since these two concepts can be combined, the electrical connection made when one paddle is placed in the pocket acts as a switch to close the circuit including the RFID tag, and the electrical connection made when the other paddle is placed in the pocket acts as a switch to close the circuit including the RFID reader (including the reader antenna and reader circuit). Thus, two switches are formed, one that activates the RFID circuit and the other that activates the RFID reader, respectively, closing their respective electrical circuits.

[0067] The above example relates to a defibrillator. However, the same concept can also be applied to any device having a main unit and a set of accessories, where the accessories are docked to a docking area of ​​the main unit. In such a case, the docking area has docking area electrical contacts, and is configured such that when the accessories are properly positioned in the docking area, the accessory electrical contacts make contact with the respective docking area electrical contacts.

[0068] This device is, for example, an ECG system that includes an ECG cable terminated at an ECG electrode. The ECG cable connects to the main unit of the ECG system.

[0069] Modifications of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in carrying out the claimed invention, based on a review of the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the term “having” does not preclude other components or steps, and the absence of a statement that there are multiple components or steps does not preclude them from being multiple.

[0070] The mere fact that certain means are described in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that combinations of these means cannot be used advantageously.

[0071] When the term “suitable for” is used in the claims or specification, it means that the term “suitable for” is equivalent to the term “configured to”; when the term “apparatus” is used in the claims or specification, it means that the term “apparatus” is equivalent to the term “system,” and vice versa.

[0072] No reference numeral in a claim should be construed as limiting its scope.

Claims

1. Main unit and, A first and second paddle located outside the main unit and connected to the main unit by a cable, wherein at least one of the paddles has at least one paddle electrical contact, The main unit comprises first and second pockets for storing the paddle, wherein at least one of the pockets has at least one pocket electrical contact, An RFID tag having a tag antenna and a tag circuit, provided on at least one paddle, An RFID reader having a reader antenna and a reader circuit is provided in the main unit, wherein the reader antenna is located near one of the pockets and the RFID reader and In a defibrillator having, The electrical contacts of each paddle are configured to contact the respective pocket electrical contacts when the paddle is placed in the pocket. The RFID reader is configured to read data stored in the tag circuit only when the paddle electrical contacts are in contact with the respective pocket electrical contacts. Defibrillator.

2. The defibrillator according to claim 1, further comprising a processor connected to the RFID reader and processing the data read from the tag circuit.

3. The defibrillator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tag antenna and the tag circuit operate only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contact and the pocket electrical contact.

4. The tag antenna has a tag coil that extends between the at least one paddle electrical contact and the tag circuit. The electrical circuit, including the tag coil and the tag circuit, is closed to allow the RFID reader to read the data stored in the tag circuit only when the paddle electrical contacts are in contact with the respective pocket electrical contacts. A defibrillator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Each of the first and second paddles has at least one paddle electrical contact, Only one of the first and second paddles has an RFID tag. A defibrillator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A defibrillator according to claim 5, having exactly two paddles and two pockets, wherein the pockets are positioned above the main unit.

7. Each of the two paddles has two paddle electrical contacts. Each of the two pockets has two pocket electrical contacts. The tag antenna has a coil connected in series with the RFID tag, and the series connection extends between the two electrical contacts of each paddle. The other paddle has connections between the paddle electrical contacts, An electrical connection is provided between the corresponding pocket electrical contacts of the two aforementioned pockets. Defibrillator according to claim 6.

8. The defibrillator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leader antenna and the leader circuit are in a closed circuit only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contact and the pocket electrical contact.

9. The defibrillator according to claim 8, wherein the reader antenna has a reader coil extending between the at least one paddle electrical contact and the reader circuit, and the circuit including the reader coil and the reader circuit is closed to allow the RFID reader to read the data stored in the tag circuit only when the paddle electrical contact is in contact with the respective pocket electrical contact.

10. A defibrillator according to claim 8 or 9, having exactly two paddles and two pockets, wherein the pockets are positioned above the main unit.

11. Each of the two paddles has two paddle electrical contacts. Each of the two pockets has two pocket electrical contacts. Each of the two paddles has a connection between the two paddle electrical contacts. An electrical connection is provided between the first pocket electrical contacts of the two aforementioned pockets, and The leader circuit is connected in series with the leader antenna between the second pocket electrical contacts of the two pockets. Defibrillator according to claim 10.

12. The tag antenna and the tag circuit operate only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contact and the pocket electrical contact. The leader antenna and the leader circuit are in a closed circuit only when there is an electrical connection between the paddle electrical contact and the pocket electrical contact. A defibrillator according to claim 1 or 2.

13. A method for detecting the arrangement of first and second paddles in the first and second pockets of a defibrillator, wherein the defibrillator is: A main unit equipped with an RFID reader, A first and second paddle located outside the main unit and connected to the main unit by a cable, wherein at least one of the paddles has at least one paddle electrical contact, The main unit has first and second pockets for storing the paddle, and at least one of the pockets has a pocket electrical contact, and the first and second pockets It has, At least one paddle has an RFID tag having a tag antenna and a tag circuit, and the method is When the paddles are placed in the pockets, the steps include creating electrical contact between each paddle electrical contact and the respective pocket electrical contact, The steps include enabling the RFID reader to read the data stored in the tag circuit only when the paddle electrical contacts make contact with the respective pocket electrical contacts, and To possess, a method.

14. Main unit and, A set of accessories located outside the main unit and connected to the main unit by a cable, The main unit includes a set of docking areas for storing the accessories, At least one accessory has an accessory electrical contact, A docking area electrical contact located in at least one docking area, wherein each accessory electrical contact is configured to contact the respective docking area electrical contact when the accessory is placed in the docking area, An RFID tag having a tag antenna and a tag circuit, provided on at least one accessory, An RFID reader having a reader antenna and a reader circuit is provided in the main unit, wherein the reader antenna is located near one of the docking areas and the RFID reader A device having the following features, wherein the RFID reader is enabled to read the data stored in the tag circuit only when the accessory electrical contacts contact the respective docking area electrical contacts.

15. A method for detecting the arrangement of a set of accessories in a set of docking areas of a device, wherein the device A main unit equipped with an RFID reader, A set of accessories located outside the main unit and connected to the main unit by a cable, An RFID tag having a tag antenna and a tag circuit, provided on at least one accessory, The main unit includes a set of docking areas for storing the accessories, Accessory electrical contacts in at least one accessory, The docking region electrical contact in at least one docking region and The method has, When the accessory is placed in the docking area, the steps include creating electrical contact between each accessory electrical contact and the respective docking area electrical contact, The steps include enabling the RFID reader to read data stored in the tag circuit only when the accessory electrical contacts contact the respective docking area electrical contacts, and A method having.

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