Stationary biometric information monitor

Abstract

To provide a biological information monitor that can reduce a risk of erroneous input of an operation setting value by users and time and efforts of input of an operation setting value by users.SOLUTION: A biological information monitor includes: an arrangement space acquisition unit for acquiring information of an arrangement space for an own device; and an operation control unit for controlling operation of the own device by adding a change to a preset operation setting in accordance with an arrangement space which is acquired by the arrangement space acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological information monitor.

Background Art

[0002] A biological information monitor can collectively display measured values and waveforms of biological information (such as electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation) on a display unit. Examples of biological information monitors include bedside monitors installed at the bedside in a hospital ward and central monitors installed at staff stations (also called nurse stations).

[0003] By viewing the measured values and waveforms displayed by the biological information monitor, medical staff (such as doctors and nurses) can grasp the patient's condition. In addition, since a biological information monitor generally has an alarm function that notifies abnormalities by an alarm sound or the like when an abnormality such as an abnormal measured value occurs, medical staff can quickly take appropriate measures in an emergency.

[0004] A biological information monitor having such an alarm function is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By the way, in a biological information monitor, a user can change operation setting values such as an alarm volume.

[0007] However, allowing users to freely change all operating settings increases the risk of user misconfiguration.

[0008] Furthermore, vital signs monitors are used in various treatment rooms (wards, operating rooms, ICUs, NICUs, etc.), and users may change the operating settings depending on the treatment room in which they are used. In this case, users had to carefully input the operating settings, which was time-consuming.

[0009] This invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and provides a biological information monitor that can reduce the risk of incorrect input of operating settings by the user and the effort required for the user to input operating settings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the biological information monitor of the present invention is: A location acquisition unit that acquires information about the location of the device, An operation control unit controls the operation of the device by adding modifications to the pre-set operation settings according to the location acquired by the location acquisition unit, It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, for example, when the location of the device is changed, the risk of incorrect input of operating settings by the user and the effort required for the user to input operating settings can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing the external configuration of a biological information monitor (bedside monitor) according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the configuration of the biological information monitor in the embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows how the operation control unit varies the alarm volume depending on its location. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the vital signs monitor (bedside monitor) 10 according to this embodiment.

[0015] The vital signs monitor 10 has a display unit 101 on its front. Additionally, a standby switch 11 and an alarm indicator 12 are provided on the front of the vital signs monitor 10.

[0016] One side of the vital signs monitor 10 is provided with connectors related to the measurement of vital signs. Specifically, it is provided with an ECG (Electrocardiogram) connector 13a, an NIBP (Non-Invasive Blood Pressure) connector 13b, and an SpO2 connector 13c. Below the group of connectors, there is an additional module connection section 14 to which an additional module for implementing optional vital signs measurement processing can be attached. Incidentally, the other side of the vital signs monitor 10 (not shown) is provided with a USB connector, a LAN connection connector, and a recorder.

[0017] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vital signs monitor 10. The vital signs monitor 10 is connected via a connector section 110 to vital signs detection units, including an electrocardiogram electrode 111 for detecting an electrocardiogram, a blood pressure measurement cuff 112 for detecting blood pressure, a body temperature sensor 113 for detecting body temperature, an SpO2 sensor 114 for detecting SpO2, a cardiac output sensor 115 for detecting cardiac output, and an additional module 116. The connector section 110 functions as an interface between the vital signs detection units and the measurement processing unit 104. The connector section 110 includes the ECG connector 13a, NIBP connector 13b, and SpO2 connector 13c shown in Figure 1.

[0018] The measurement processing unit 104 executes a predetermined measurement process by executing the program stored in the storage unit 105. Through this measurement process, the measurement processing unit 104 measures the biological information of the patient using the biological information detection unit (electrocardiogram electrode 111, blood pressure measurement cuff 112, body temperature sensor 113, SpO2 sensor 114, and cardiac output sensor 115) connected to the connector unit 110. Note that since the measurement methods of various biological information using the above biological information detection unit are well-known in the art, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[0019] In addition, the measurement processing unit 104 is capable of performing operations of storing the biological information measured in the past in the storage unit 105 and reading the biological information stored in the storage unit 105. Furthermore, the biological information obtained by the measurement processing unit 104 is displayed on the display unit 101 in the form of a measured value or a waveform via the display control unit 102.

[0020] The display unit 101 is, for example, a liquid crystal display with a touch panel, and not only has a display function for displaying biological information but also has a function as an input unit for receiving input operations by the user. Specifically, the display and the processing of the measurement processing unit 104 of the display unit 101 are changed by the touch operation of the display unit 101 by the user. In this embodiment, user operations such as various settings are received by touching the display unit 101. However, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a dedicated button, etc. may be used to receive user operations.

[0021] The operation control unit 120 controls the operation of the entire biological information monitor 10. Specifically, the operation control unit 120 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. By the CPU executing the program stored in the ROM, control signals are output to the display control unit 102, the alarm indicator 103, the measurement processing unit 104, etc., to control these operations.

[0022] The operation control unit 120 has a memory 121, and in this memory 121, the operation settings input by the user through the touch operation of the display unit 101 are stored (registered). The operation control unit 120 outputs control signals to the display control unit 102, the alarm indicator 103, the measurement processing unit 104, etc. based on the operation settings stored in the memory 121.

[0023] In addition to such a configuration, the biological information monitor 10 of the present embodiment has a placement location acquisition unit 130. The placement location acquisition unit 130 acquires information on the placement location of the self-device. In the case of the present embodiment, the placement location acquisition unit 130 acquires the placement location based on the information from the display unit 101 and the connector unit 110.

[0024] Specifically described as follows. The biological information monitor 10 has a placement location selection mode, and in the placement location selection mode, a plurality of placement locations are displayed on the display unit 101. The placement locations displayed at this time are, for example, the names of facilities with different treatment contents for patients, such as wards, operating rooms, ICUs (Intensive Care Units), NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units), etc. The user selects the placement location where the biological information monitor 10 is to be placed from among the plurality of displayed placement locations by a touch operation. Thereby, the placement location acquisition unit 130 can identify the location where the biological information monitor 10 is placed.

[0025] Separately, the location acquisition unit 130 can identify the location where the vital signs monitor 10 will be placed based on the type of additional module 116 connected to the connector unit 110. Here, since the additional module 116 is a module specifically designed for measuring vital signs at each installation location (ICU, NICU, etc.), the connection of the additional module 116 means that the vital signs monitor 10 will be used at the location corresponding to that additional module 116. Therefore, the location acquisition unit 130 can identify the location where the vital signs monitor 10 will be placed based on the type of the connected additional module 116.

[0026] The installation location acquisition unit 130 is not limited to these methods; it may also acquire information about the installation location of its device based on, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) information or information from a central monitor. Furthermore, it may acquire information about the installation location based on which department's central monitor on the network it is associated with. It may also acquire information about the installation location based on the type of medical device connected. For example, if an anesthetic gas monitor is connected, the installation location of the vital signs monitor can be identified as an operating room.

[0027] The operation control unit 120 controls the operation of the device by modifying the pre-set operation settings according to the location acquired by the location acquisition unit 130. In other words, as described above, the memory 121 stores (registers) the operation settings, which are either set in advance by user operation or as initial settings, and the operation control unit 120 controls the operation of the device by modifying these operation settings according to the location.

[0028] For example, the operation control unit 120 varies the alarm volume or alarm frequency depending on the location where it is installed.

[0029] Figure 3 shows how the operation control unit 120 varies the alarm volume according to its location. The display unit 101 displays an alarm volume setting image, as shown on the far left of the figure, and the user sets the alarm volume by touching this alarm volume setting image. In the example shown in the figure, the alarm volume is set to level 4 out of 10 levels.

[0030] The operation control unit 120 varies the actual volume of the alarm output from the alarm indicator 103 according to its location. In the example shown in the figure, the volume in the NICU is set to be lower than the volume in other areas. For example, if the user's volume setting is 4, the actual volume will be 50 in areas other than the NICU, while it will be 45 in the NICU.

[0031] This reduces the likelihood of newborns in the NICU being woken by the alarm sound. On the other hand, if the device is placed outside the NICU, the alarm volume automatically returns to normal, preventing the alarm from being missed.

[0032] Furthermore, the operation control unit 120 may, for example, vary the alarm frequency depending on the installation location. For instance, in locations such as ICUs where medical personnel are always near the vital signs monitor 10, the frequency of alarm sound output is controlled to be lower because the likelihood of missing an alarm is low. This reduces the annoyance caused by the alarm sound.

[0033] Furthermore, the operation control unit 120 may restrict the operation modes that the user can select depending on the location of installation. For example, the number of operation modes that can be selected in a ward may be limited to fewer than the number of operation modes that can be selected in an operating room. In practice, the types of operation modes that the user can set are restricted according to the location of installation on the operation mode setting screen displayed on the display unit 101. By doing so, the risk of user missetting is reduced compared to when the user selects an operation mode from all available operation modes, and the setting operation becomes easier.

[0034] Furthermore, the operation control unit 120 may limit the range of settings that can be set by the user, depending on its location. This reduces the risk of incorrect settings by the user and simplifies the setting operation compared to when the user selects a setting value from all available ranges.

[0035] Furthermore, the operation control unit 120 may restrict the parameters that can be set by the user, depending on its location. This reduces the risk of user misconfiguration and simplifies the setting operation compared to when the user selects the desired parameters from all available parameters.

[0036] Furthermore, the operation control unit 120 may change the setting screen displayed on the display unit 101 depending on the installation location. By doing so, a setting screen suitable for the installation location can be displayed, thereby reducing the risk of incorrect settings by the user and making the setting operation easier.

[0037] Incidentally, the operation changes made by the aforementioned operation control unit 120 according to the placement location are performed when the biological information monitor 10 is in location mode. Users can select whether or not to put the device in location mode, for example, in the maintenance menu.

[0038] As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing a location acquisition unit 130 that acquires information on the location of the device, and an operation control unit 120 that controls the operation of the device by making changes to the preset operation settings according to the location acquired by the location acquisition unit 130, it is possible to realize a biological information monitor 10 that reduces the risk of incorrect input of operation setting values ​​by the user and the effort required for the user to input operation setting values.

[0039] The embodiments described above are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its gist or its main features. [Industrial applicability]

[0040] This invention is suitable for biological information monitors whose placement location may change. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 10. Biometric Information Monitor 101 Display section 102 Display Control Unit 103 Alarm Indicator 104 Measurement Processing Unit 105 Storage section 110 Connector section 120 Operation Control Unit 121 memory 130 Location acquisition unit

Claims

1. A location acquisition unit that acquires information about the location of the device, An operation control unit controls the operation of the device by adding changes to the pre-set operation settings according to the location acquired by the location acquisition unit, Each installation location has a connection port to which additional modules or medical devices specific to that location can be connected, Equipped with, The location acquisition unit acquires location information based on the type of additional module or medical device connected to the connection unit. Stationary biometric information monitor.

2. The operation control unit varies the alarm volume or alarm frequency according to the location where it is installed. A stationary biological information monitor according to claim 1.

3. The operation control unit restricts the operation modes that the user can select according to the location where it is installed. A stationary biological information monitor according to claim 1.

4. The operation control unit limits the range of setting values ​​that can be set by the user in the operation mode, depending on the location of its placement. A stationary biological information monitor according to claim 3.

5. The operation control unit restricts the parameters that can be set by the user in the operation mode, depending on the location of its placement. A stationary biological information monitor according to claim 3.

6. The operation control unit changes the setting screen to be displayed according to the location where it is placed. A stationary biological information monitor according to claim 1.

7. The location acquisition unit acquires location information based on GPS location information, user operation, or information sent from the central monitor. A stationary biological information monitor according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The aforementioned locations include operating rooms, ICUs, NICUs, and wards. A stationary biological information monitor according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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