How to automatically unblock or block computer-assisted medical devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for automatically blocking and / or unblocking a computer-assisted medical device in a system, the system including a computer-assisted medical device and a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal including a first wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, mobile application software being executable by the mobile terminal, the medical device including a device computer, the device computer including a second wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, driver software being executable on the device computer, the driver software being executable by the second communication device of the medical device to establish a wireless communication connection to the first communication device of the mobile terminal, the medical device including: The medical device automatically transitions from the blocked state to the unblocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and the signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device exceeds a predetermined first threshold, and / or the medical device automatically transitions from the unblocked state to the blocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and the signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device falls below a predetermined second threshold, and / or the wireless connection is interrupted for longer than a predetermined first time interval.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for automatically unblocking and / or blocking a computer-assisted medical device in a system including the computer-assisted medical device and a mobile terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Modern computer-aided medical devices, such as analytical instruments routinely used in analytics, forensics, microbiology, and clinical diagnostics, are capable of performing numerous detection reactions and analyses using numerous samples. To automatically perform multiple tests, various automated operating devices are required, such as gripper-equipped transfer arms, conveyor belts, or rotatable transport wheels for spatially transporting measurement cells, reaction vessels, and reagent containers, as well as liquid transport devices such as pipetting devices. These devices include a central controller that, using appropriate software, can largely automatically plan and process the workflow for the desired analysis.

[0003] Many of the analytical techniques used in these automated analyzers are based on optical methods. In particular, measurement systems based on photometric (e.g., turbidimetric, nephelometric, fluorescent, or luminescent) or radiometric principles are widespread. These methods allow qualitative and quantitative detection of analytes in liquid samples without the need for additional separation steps. Determination of clinically relevant parameters, such as the concentration or activity of an analyte, is often performed by withdrawing an aliquot, i.e., a portion, of a patient's body fluid sample from a sample container using a pipetting device and transferring it to a reaction container. The sample aliquot is then mixed with one or more test reagents in the reaction container using the pipetting device. The necessary reagents are supplied in multiple reagent containers, which are further held in a reagent container supply. Mixing the sample with the necessary reagents initiates a biochemical reaction, resulting in a measurable change in the optical properties of the reaction batch.

[0004] The measurement results are then transferred by the measurement system to a storage unit and evaluated. The analytical instrument then provides the sample-specific measurements to the user via an output medium such as a monitor, printer or network connection.

[0005] Computer-assisted medical devices often generate and / or process highly sensitive personal health data, such as name, date of birth, gender or age, together with other personal data, such as medical history data, laboratory values ​​from body fluids or data on genetic information. These data items are often linked to each other, creating particularly sensitive data records that require special technical protection measures, for example to prevent unauthorized access or manipulation as reliably as possible.

[0006] Cybersecurity and data protection are becoming increasingly important in medical device technology, as reflected in sometimes-stringent legal requirements, such as EU Regulation (EU) 2016 / 679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016, on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data, on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95 / 46 / EC (Basic Data Protection Regulation), in order to strengthen data protection in the handling of patient data. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the often time-pressured daily routines of laboratories, hospitals, clinics, etc., it may be observed that employees involved in the operation of medical devices may even forgo basic safety measures in order to simplify work processes and save time, for example, not locking the medical device's computer with a password during short absences and ignoring proper work instructions. This may allow unauthorized persons to easily access confidential data and may lead to the risk of data tampering, which may have extremely serious medical consequences for affected patients. In addition, if binding standards are not always observed, parties and institutions may be exposed to considerable legal and financial risks.

[0008] Currently, blocking and / or unblocking computer-assisted systems in the medical device field is done manually by entering appropriate passwords.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide tamper-resistant methods and means that allow the implementation of increased data protection requirements while ensuring data integrity in the daily routine when operating a computer-assisted medical device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This objective is achieved according to the present invention by combining a mobile application and technology for a method, automating the blocking and / or unblocking of computer-aided medical devices, to the extent that this security measure necessary for the protection of the user's data is taken for granted.

[0011] This has the advantage that the increased data protection requirements for computer-assisted medical device operation methods can be implemented very reliably so that data integrity is ensured. At the same time, the workflow of medical device operation is significantly simplified and accelerated, reducing the possibility of potential unauthorized access to patient data. Furthermore, the present invention enables very rapid access to any number of multiple medical devices simultaneously and / or consecutively, which also simplifies and accelerates the workflow and therefore improves efficiency. According to the present invention, a specific mobile terminal is preferably not required to run the mobile application; instead, commercially available smartphones or the like can be used, which simplifies implementation and increases its acceptance among relevant users. This means that fast and easy-to-use unblocking and / or blocking is possible, especially in stationary devices, thereby increasing the usability of the device and improving safety, especially since the barrier to actually using the blocking function in daily work routines is significantly reduced.

[0012] The subject of the present invention is therefore, inter alia, a method for automatically unblocking and / or blocking a computer-aided medical device in a system, the system comprising: a computer-aided medical device; and a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal comprising a first wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, the mobile terminal being operable to execute mobile application software, the medical device comprising a device computer, the device computer comprising a second wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, the device computer being operable to execute driver software on the device computer, the driver software being operable to establish a wireless communication connection by the second communication device of the medical device to the first wireless communication device of the mobile terminal, the medical device comprising: a device computer; The medical device automatically transitions from the blocked state to the unblocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and the signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device exceeds a predetermined first threshold, and / or the medical device automatically transitions from the unblocked state to the blocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and the signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device falls below a predetermined second threshold, and / or the wireless connection is interrupted for longer than a predetermined first time interval.

[0013] The present invention is based on the consideration that a specially developed mobile application runs on a user's mobile terminal, which can advantageously be a smartphone, tablet, and / or smartwatch. The user preferably logs in to a designated authentication server with a username and password and is linked to a target system, e.g., a device computer, via the mobile application. The device computer preferably has transmitter hardware for one of known wireless technologies, such as NFC (Near Field Communication), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), and / or Wi-Fi. In the background, the device computer runs dedicated driver software that uses the available wireless technology to make the device visible to the mobile application. Preferably, a special device identification token is provided, which the mobile application requires to unlock the user. Signal strength is evaluated to determine whether the user is nearby. This ensures, for example, that the device computer is unblocked only when the user is a predetermined distance away. If necessary, blocking is also advantageously performed according to an appropriate pattern. Preferably, an authentication server is also provided, responsible for managing users and devices. Users and dedicated driver software log in to this entity. The device computer can then be unblocked via this server.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the system further comprises an authentication service, wherein a wireless communication connection can be established from the mobile terminal to the authentication service by means of the first wireless communication device, and a communication connection can be established between a device computer of the medical device and the authentication service, and wherein unblocking and / or blocking of the medical device is performed by the authentication service, which preferably comprises or is an authentication server. This has the advantage that appropriate authentication configurations, such as usernames and passwords, can be managed centrally via the authentication service. A particularly simple and efficient implementation of the method according to the invention is at the same time possible.

[0015] This preferably involves authenticating the device computer of the mobile terminal and / or medical device at an authentication service.

[0016] The authentication of the mobile terminal is preferably performed via a wireless communication connection by the first communication device to an authentication service of the mobile terminal, which allows a particularly simple implementation of the method according to the invention.

[0017] Preferably, a user ID is provided for the user, which may correspond to, include, or be linked to the user's username. Preferably, the user ID is linked to one of a plurality of predefined user profiles, which assign predefined access rights to each user ID. This has the advantage that access rights can be assigned and managed in a differentiated manner, for example, depending on the functions of specific users of a user group. This further increases the level of security against unauthorized access, since users who do not require specific access rights for their respective activities and responsibilities do not receive them. This prevents, for example, unauthorized users from inadvertently accessing sensitive patient data and / or deleting and / or modifying the data.

[0018] Preferably, authentication of the device computer of the medical device is performed via a communications connection of the device computer of the medical device to an authentication service.

[0019] Preferably, the mobile terminal comprises or is a smartphone or a portable computer, preferably a tablet computer. The mobile device may be or include a smartwatch. This has the advantage that commonly used devices, which are often carried by operators of medical devices for other reasons, such as telephone availability or Internet access, can be used as mobile terminals. This makes the method according to the invention particularly simple and cost-effective to implement. This also increases acceptance among operators, since no additional devices are required.

[0020] In particular, a combination of several mobile devices such as a mobile phone and a smart watch can also be used, with the advantage that such a combination can be directly configured and adapted to the customer's requirements at any time.

[0021] Preferably, automatic unblocking and / or blocking of the computer-aided medical device by a given mobile terminal is only possible within a given time interval. Preferably, the given time interval is, for example, a work shift, or, for example, 8, 12, or 24 hours. This has the advantage that a user can log in once with their corresponding access data at the start of their shift and then use the automatic unblocking or blocking function throughout the entire shift. At the end of the shift, the automatic unblocking or blocking function is automatically disabled again. This increases the security of the system and prevents misuse, for example, by unauthorized or deprived persons or by lost or misplaced mobile terminals.

[0022] Preferably, the medical device is fixed or stationary and is not directly portable like a mobile smartphone, for example, so that the user can always carry it directly on their body or in their clothing. Preferably, the medical device comprises an automatic analyzer, preferably an in-vitro analyzer for medical samples, preferably for blood. The medical device is particularly preferably an automatic analyzer, preferably an in-vitro analyzer for medical samples, preferably for blood. This makes it possible to implement increased data protection requirements in a highly reliable manner, including in places such as medical laboratories.

[0023] The medical device preferably includes a point-of-care system. A point-of-care system is a system that performs medical testing at or near the location of patient treatment. Thus, testing is performed at the site of patient treatment, preferably simultaneously with the patient's treatment, for example, in a doctor's operating room, hospital, or obstetric clinic treatment room, or, in the case of emergency treatment, at the scene of an accident, or in an ambulance or rescue helicopter while transporting the patient. Alternatively, a point-of-care system can be used to provide patient treatment in the patient's home or any other location where the patient resides at the time the treatment is administered. Thus, point-of-care systems can be utilized outside of specialized medical laboratories or central laboratories, particularly in close proximity to the patient, and testing can be performed in real time between, immediately after, or before other tests or treatments. Point-of-care systems are preferably fixed or stationary and not directly portable, such as a mobile smartphone, so that the user can always carry the device on their body or in their clothing.

[0024] Preferably, the medical device comprises an intensive care system, for example, as used in intensive care medicine, for example, in intensive care units in hospitals or in specially equipped vehicles or aircraft for patient transport. Preferably, the intensive care system is a syringe pump and / or an infusion pump.

[0025] Preferably, medical device comprises medical imaging system.Imaging is carried out in medical imaging system, for example, using X-ray (for example, radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography), radionuclide (for example, scintigraphy, positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography), ultrasound (for example, ultrasonography, color Doppler), magnetic resonance (for example, magnetic resonance imaging), infrared (for example, diagnostic thermography), impedance (for example, electrical impedance tomography) and / or visible light (for example, endoscopy, optical tomography, video raster stereography).

[0026] Preferably, a first limit value is assigned to or corresponds to a first distance between the mobile terminal and the medical device, and the first distance is preferably less than 10 meters, particularly preferably less than 5 meters. Preferably, the first limit value and / or the first distance is determined by the size of the medical device. Preferably, the larger the medical device, the smaller the first limit value. Thus, the first distance is determined by the size of the medical device, and preferably, the larger the medical device, the greater the distance. For example, in small point-of-care devices that can be held by hand or placed next to a patient's bed, the first distance is preferably relatively small, e.g., only a few meters or less than 1 meter. For example, in large automated line systems and large high-throughput analyzers in central laboratories, the first distance is preferably relatively large, e.g., 10 meters or more. This allows each limit value or distance to be selected to suit the requirements of each medical device and its operating method.

[0027] Preferably, a second limit value corresponds to or is assigned to a second distance between the mobile terminal and the medical device, the second distance being preferably less than 10 meters, particularly preferably less than 5 meters.

[0028] Preferably, the signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal, as received by the second communication device of the medical device, is assigned a corresponding distance between the mobile terminal and the medical device.

[0029] Preferably, the assignment between the first or second limit value and the first or second distance between the mobile terminal and the medical device is based on the following distance estimation: Distance=10 EXP((Signal_strength - RSSI) / (10 N)) In the formula, EXP(X) represents 10 to the power of X, Signal_strength represents the measured signal strength, RSSI represents the received signal strength indicator, and N is a constant for effectively taking into account the influence of the environment, where N typically takes a value of 2 to 4, and preferably a value of 2.

[0030] The first limit value is preferably between −60 dB and −70 dB, particularly preferably −60 dB, which latter value corresponds, for example, to a first distance of about 1 meter according to the distance estimates given above.

[0031] The measured signal strength depends not only on the distance but also on the transmission power (broadcast power value). With maximum transmission power (+4 dBm), the RSSI value ranges from approximately -26 (at a distance of a few centimeters) to approximately -100 (at a distance of approximately 40-50 m). The first time interval is preferably less than 3 minutes, particularly preferably less than 1 minute. This has the advantage that an automatic blocking occurs if the corresponding time interval is exceeded. However, at the same time, blocking can be prevented in the case of very short interruptions in the connection, for example due to short-lasting interfering signals, making the operating method more robust and less susceptible to interference.

[0032] Preferably, the first limit is lower than the second limit, the advantage of which is that the system is less susceptible to interference and unintentional, rapid succession of blocking or unblocking operations is avoided.

[0033] Preferably, the blocking comprises disabling the graphical user interface of the medical device's electronic display device and / or disabling the medical device's user interface for inputting commands, which has the advantage that displayed data, especially sensitive patient data, cannot be viewed or manipulated by unsupervised and unauthorised third parties.

[0034] Preferably, the unblocking comprises enabling a graphical user interface of an electronic display device of the medical device and / or enabling a user interface of the medical device for input of commands, which has the advantage that the display device or user interface is immediately available to the user without further action such as entering a password, avoiding waiting times and therefore speeding up the overall workflow.

[0035] Another advantageous solution according to the invention involves a mobile terminal or terminals being learned once and permanently configured by pairing, in a similar case to the so-called "keyless-go" technology known from the automotive industry. Advantageously, according to the invention, the mobile terminal can also take the form of a special transponder, such as is installed in the corresponding car key. However, according to the invention, such special requirements for additional hardware are advantageously not necessary.

[0036] Another object of the present invention is a medical device including a device computer, the device computer including a first wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, the device computer being capable of executing driver software capable of establishing a wireless communication connection to the first wireless communication device of a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal including the first wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, and the mobile terminal being capable of executing mobile application software, the device computer being configured to automatically transition from a blocked state to an unblocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to a second communication device of the medical device and a signal strength of a signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device exceeds a predetermined first threshold, and / or when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and a signal strength of a signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device falls below a predetermined second threshold, and / or when the wireless connection is interrupted for longer than a predetermined first time interval.

[0037] Preferably, the medical device comprises an automated analyzer, preferably an in vitro analyzer for medical samples, preferably for blood. The medical device is particularly preferably an automated analyzer, preferably an in vitro analyzer for medical samples, preferably for blood.

[0038] Preferably, the medical device comprises a point-of-care system and / or an intensive care system and / or a medical imaging system. Preferably, the intensive care system is a syringe pump and / or an infusion pump.

[0039] Another object of the invention is the use of the method according to the invention in a system, the system comprising a computer-aided medical device and a mobile terminal.

[0040] The medical device may preferably be a diagnostic system or an in vitro diagnostic device, especially for imaging procedures.

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer-assisted medical device. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system including a computer-assisted medical device, an authentication service, and a mobile terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a device pairing method. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for unblocking a device computer of a computer-assisted medical device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] In all figures, equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0044] 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer-aided medical device, including some of the components it contains. The computer-aided medical device is an automated analytical instrument 1. In order to explain the basic functionality of the automated analytical instrument 1, only the most important components are presented here in a highly simplified form, without detailing the individual members of each component.

[0045] The automated analytical instrument 1 is designed to perform a wide range of blood and other body fluid analyses fully automatically, without requiring user intervention, which is instead limited to maintenance or repair and refilling operations, such as when cuvettes or reagents need to be replenished.

[0046] Sample containers are fed to the automated analytical instrument 1 on carriages (not shown in detail) in a feed rail 2. Information regarding the analysis to be performed for each sample can be transferred, for example, by a barcode attached to the sample container, which is read in the automated analytical instrument 1. In a pipetting device 4, an aliquot is taken from the sample container by means of a pipetting needle (not shown in detail). This aliquot is then fed into a cuvette (not shown in detail), where the actual analysis is carried out using a variety of measuring devices 6, such as a photometer. In addition, additional reagents required depending on the analysis to be performed can be fed into the respective cuvette from a reagent container feeder 10 by means of another pipetting needle (not shown in detail).

[0047] The cuvettes are transported into the automated analytical instrument 1 using a transport device, not shown in detail here, such as a transfer arm that can move in a variety of different spatial directions and that may have a gripping device for picking up the cuvette. The entire process is controlled by a central control device, such as a computer 14 connected via a data line 12, supported by a number of additional electronic circuits and microprocessors, not shown in detail, within the automated analytical instrument 1 and its components. The computer 14 also advantageously has non-volatile memory in the form of a hard disk, USB stick, etc.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system 20 including a computer-assisted medical device. The computer-assisted medical device is an automated analytical instrument 1, which includes a computer 14, an authentication service implemented as an authentication server 21, and a mobile terminal 22, which may be a smartphone, tablet computer, or smartwatch. The mobile terminal 22 is designed and configured to be operated by a user, such as a trained laboratory technician. The system 20 includes the following components: A specially developed mobile application is designed to run on the user's mobile device. The user must first log in to a designated authentication server using a username and password. The user is also pre-paired with the target system, i.e., the device computer, via the mobile application. The device computer has transmitter hardware, preferably for one or more wireless technologies, such as NFC (Near Field Communication), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), or Wi-Fi. The device computer runs dedicated driver software in the background, which uses available wireless technologies to make the device visible to the mobile application. A special device identification token is provided, which the mobile application requires to unblock the user. The signal strength is evaluated to determine whether the user is nearby. This ensures that the device computer is unblocked only when the user is a predetermined distance away. The blocking also follows a corresponding pattern. An authentication server is responsible for managing users and devices. The user and the dedicated driver software each log in to this entity. The device computer is also unblocked via this server. Figure 2 shows, with arrows, the corresponding data connections between the individual components of the system. The data connection between the mobile terminal and the automated analytical instrument 1 is established by wireless means.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of the device pairing method. To ensure a user has authorized access to a medical device, such as an automated analytical instrument 1, an imaging system, or other in-vitro diagnostic device, the user must first connect to the system using the pairing method described below. This procedure must be performed once per device computer and per user. In the next step, dedicated driver software advertises the device using the transmitter hardware. A device identification token is advertised. The user can discover the system in their environment using a mobile application. If the system is already paired, the user can log in to the system and unblock the device computer using the method shown in FIG. 4.

[0050] The flow diagram shown in FIG. 3 illustrates an automated analytical instrument 1 including three components: a mobile terminal 22, an authentication server 21, and a computer 14, also referred to as a device computer. A mobile application 30 runs on the mobile terminal 22. The authentication server 21 provides a corresponding web application 31. Dedicated driver software 32 runs on the device computer (computer 14). The device computer performs a device login with the web application 31 of the authentication server 21, which provides the device computer with a device identification token 34. The mobile terminal 22 also logs in to the web application 31 using the mobile application 30 (login 35), and the web application 31 provides the mobile terminal 22 with a session token 36. The mobile application 30 makes a pairing request 37 to the web application 31, which causes a QR code 44 to be displayed on the device computer's electronic display device (monitor 43) (show QR code 38). The web application sends a request to the mobile application 30 to scan the QR code using the mobile terminal 22 (scan QR code 40). Next, the user scans the QR code 44 displayed on the monitor 43 using the mobile terminal 22. The mobile application 30 sends the scanned QR code 44 to the web application 31 (scanned QR code 41), which then provides the device identification token 42 to the mobile application 30. This completes device pairing 45.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method for unblocking a device computer of a computer-assisted medical device. After the device computer is unblocked, the dedicated driver software and mobile application transmit the connection status to the login server at predetermined intervals of several minutes (e.g., three minutes). Among other things, the signal strength from both sides is determined and communicated. This information allows the login server to determine whether the user is still close to the system or far away. Depending on the device type, this distance can vary, for example, from a few meters for a small point-of-care device to more than 10 meters for a modular laboratory analysis system or automated laboratory line. This data can be used to determine whether the device computer should be blocked or left unblocked.

[0052] The flow diagram shown in FIG. 4 illustrates an automated analytical instrument 1 including three components: a mobile terminal 22, an authentication server 21, and a computer 14, also referred to as a device computer. A mobile application 30 runs on the mobile terminal 22. The authentication server 21 provides a corresponding web application 31. Dedicated driver software 32 runs on the device computer (computer 14). Using the driver software, the device computer requests the mobile application 30 of the mobile terminal 22 to advertise the device over a wireless data connection (Device Advertising 50). The mobile application 30 discovers devices (Discover Devices 51). The mobile application 30 sends a query to the web application 31 regarding whether the device is paired (Is Device Paired? 52). Since the device is already paired, the web application sends a corresponding message to the mobile application 30 (Device Paired 53). The mobile application 30 then connects to the device computer's transmitter hardware over the wireless data connection (Connect to Transmitter Hardware 54). The mobile application 30 sends a request to the web application 31 to unblock the device (Unblock Device 55). The web application 31 is used to log in to the device computer as a user and unblock the device computer or automated analytical instrument 1 (Log in and unblock as user 56). The web application 31 then notifies the mobile application that the device computer or automated analytical instrument 1 has been unblocked (Unblock Device Computer 57). At predetermined time intervals 58, 60, the mobile application 30 and the device computer each send their current connection status to the web application 31 (Send Connection Status 59, 61). [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Automatic analysis equipment 2 supply rails 4 Pipette Device 6. Measuring Devices 8 Cuvette supply unit 10 Reagent container supply unit 12 data lines 14 Computer 20 Systems 21 Authentication Server 22 Mobile devices 30 Mobile Applications 31 Web Applications 32 Driver Software 33 Device Login 34 Device Identification Token 35 Login 36 Session Token 37 Pairing request 38 Show QR code 40. Scan QR Codes 41 scanned QR codes 42 Device Identification Token 43 Monitor 44 QR Code 45 Device pairing complete 50 Device Advertising 51 Discover Devices 52 Are the devices paired? 53 Devices are paired 54 Connecting to Transmitter Hardware 55 Unblock your device Log in as user 56 and unblock 57 Device Computer Unblock 58 time intervals 59 Send connection status 60 time intervals 61 Send connection status

Claims

1. A method for automatically unblocking and / or blocking a computer-assisted medical device in a system, the system including: a computer-assisted medical device; and a mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal includes a first wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, and mobile application software can be executed by the mobile terminal; the medical device includes a device computer, wherein the device computer includes a second wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, and driver software can be executed on the device computer, and the driver software can establish a wireless communication connection by the second communication device of the medical device to the first communication device of the mobile terminal; the medical device automatically transitions from the blocked state to the unblocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and a signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device exceeds a predetermined first threshold; and / or the medical device automatically transitions from the unblocked state to the blocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and a signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device falls below a predetermined second threshold; and / or the wireless connection is interrupted for longer than a predetermined first time interval; the predetermined first threshold is different from the signal strength at which the wireless connection is established; The method characterized by:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the system further includes an authentication service, wherein a wireless communication connection can be established from the mobile terminal to the authentication service by the first communication device, and a communication connection can be established between a device computer of the medical device and the authentication service, and wherein unblocking and / or blocking of the medical device is performed by the authentication service.

3. The device computer of the mobile terminal and / or medical device may access the authentication service. The method of claim 2 , wherein the authentication is performed in the

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the authentication of the mobile terminal is performed via a wireless communication connection by the first communication device to an authentication service for the mobile terminal.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein authentication of the device computer of the medical device occurs via a communications connection of the device computer of the medical device to an authentication service.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mobile terminal comprises or is a smartphone or a portable computer.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the medical device comprises an automated analyzer or an in vitro analyzer for medical samples.

8. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first limit value is assigned to or corresponds to a first distance between the mobile terminal and the medical device, the first distance being less than 10 meters.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a second limit value is assigned to or corresponds to a second distance between the mobile terminal and the medical device, the second distance being less than 10 meters.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first time interval is less than 3 minutes.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first limit value is less than the second limit value.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein unblocking comprises enabling a graphical user interface of an electronic display device of the medical device and / or enabling a user interface of the medical device for input of commands.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein blocking comprises disabling a graphical user interface of an electronic display device of the medical device and / or disabling a user interface of the medical device for inputting commands.

14. a medical device including a device computer, the device computer including a first wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, the device computer capable of executing driver software that enables a second communication device of the medical device to establish a wireless communication link to the first wireless communication device of a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal including the first wireless communication device for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, the mobile terminal capable of executing mobile application software; The device computer is configured to automatically transition the medical device from the blocked state to the unblocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and a signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device exceeds a predetermined first threshold, and / or when the medical device automatically transitions from the blocked state to the unblocked state when the first communication device of the mobile terminal establishes a wireless connection to the second communication device of the medical device and a signal strength of the signal of the first communication device of the mobile terminal received by the second communication device of the medical device falls below a predetermined second threshold, and / or when the wireless connection is unblocked for more than a predetermined first time interval. configured to automatically transition from the unblocked state to the blocked state if the device is suspended for too long, the predetermined first threshold is different from the signal strength at which the wireless connection is established; The medical device characterized in that:

15. 15. The medical device of claim 14, wherein the medical device comprises an automated analyzer or an in vitro analyzer for medical samples.

16. Use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 in a system, said system comprising a computer-assisted medical device and a mobile terminal.

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