Relay device for medical system, method of operating relay device for medical system, and medical system

Abstract

A relay device 20 for a medical system comprises: a reception unit 21A that receives from a controller 10 a first signal for continuously changing a setting value of a medical apparatus 30; a conversion unit 23 that converts the first signal into a second signal; a transmission unit 21B that transmits the second signal to the medical apparatus 30; a detection unit 22 that detects disconnection of communication with the controller 10; and a control unit 24 that uses a detection signal from the detection unit 22 to control the transmission unit 21B to transmit to the medical apparatus 30 a third signal constituted by a fail-safe signal.

Description

Relay device for medical system, operation method of relay device for medical system, and medical system

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay device for a medical system that converts a first signal output by a controller into a second signal and outputs the second signal to a medical device, a method for operating the relay device for a medical system, and a medical system that includes a controller, a relay device, and a medical device.

[0002] In endoscopic surgery and the like, in addition to an endoscope, many other medical devices are used, such as an insufflation device, an electric scalpel, etc. In a medical system equipped with multiple medical devices, a system controller performs centralized control of the multiple medical devices.

[0003] Generally, medical devices in a single medical system use different communication protocols, so a relay device that performs protocol conversion is installed between the system controller and the medical device.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-245789 discloses a medical system in which a system controller performs protocol conversion to communicate with medical devices.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-296198 discloses a medical system in which a system controller detects the status of communication with a medical device. Based on the detection result, if communication has not been performed for a predetermined period of time, the operation of the medical device is stopped.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-334164 discloses a medical system in which, when a system controller detects an abnormality based on an abnormality signal output from a medical device, it notifies the occurrence of the abnormality.

[0007] To improve operational efficiency, the system controller of a medical system may output signals that continuously change the setting values ​​of medical devices. For example, when increasing the setting value of the output of an electric scalpel to a predetermined value, it is more efficient to increase the setting value at a predetermined rate (e.g., +1 / 0.2 seconds) with a single button operation than to repeatedly increase the setting value by "1" with a single button operation.

[0008] For example, by holding down the button, a signal is output to continuously change the set value. When the set value reaches a predetermined value, a stop signal is output to stop the increase of the set value by releasing the button.

[0009] However, if the system controller outputs a signal to continuously increase the setpoint of a medical device and then communication with the medical device is cut off, the signal to stop the increase in the setpoint is not transmitted to the medical device, causing the setpoint of the medical device to continue to increase beyond the intended value.

[0010] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-245789 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-296198 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-334164

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a medical system having a system controller, a relay device, and medical equipment, a relay device for a medical system that controls the medical equipment so that it performs fail-safe operation even if communication between the system controller and the relay device is interrupted, a method for operating the relay device for a medical system that controls the medical equipment so that it performs fail-safe operation even if communication with the system controller is interrupted, and a medical system that is equipped with medical equipment that performs fail-safe operation even if communication with the system controller is interrupted.

[0012] A relay device of a medical system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a first signal from a controller that continuously changes a setting value of a medical device, a conversion unit that converts the first signal into a second signal, a transmitting unit that transmits the second signal to the medical device, a detection unit that detects a loss of communication with the controller, and a control unit that controls the transmitting unit to transmit a third signal, which is a fail-safe signal, to the medical device based on the detection signal from the detection unit.

[0013] A method for operating a relay device in a medical system according to one aspect of the present invention includes receiving a first signal from a controller that continuously changes a setting value of a medical device, converting the first signal into a second signal, transmitting the second signal to the medical device, detecting a loss of communication with the controller, and transmitting a third signal, which is a fail-safe signal, to the medical device based on a detection signal from the detection unit.

[0014] A medical system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a medical device, a controller that transmits a first signal that continuously changes a setting value of the medical device, and a relay device that receives the first signal, converts it into a second signal, transmits the second signal to the medical device, and, upon detecting a loss of communication with the controller, transmits a third signal, which is a fail-safe signal, to the medical device.

[0015] According to the present invention, in a medical system having a system controller, a relay device, and medical equipment, it is possible to provide a relay device of a medical system that controls the medical equipment so that it performs fail-safe operation even if communication between the system controller and the relay device is interrupted, a method for operating a relay device of a medical system that controls the medical equipment so that it performs fail-safe operation even if communication with the system controller is interrupted, and a medical system equipped with medical equipment that performs fail-safe operation even if communication between the system controller and the relay device is interrupted.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a medical system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a medical system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of normal operation of the medical system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing touch panel operation of the medical system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing touch panel operation of the medical system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the medical system according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the medical system according to an embodiment when communication is disconnected.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] 1 includes a system controller 10 (hereinafter referred to as "controller 10"), a plurality of relay devices 20 (20A-20H), a plurality of medical devices 30 (30A-30H), and an operation unit 40. In the medical system 1, one relay device 20 is provided for each of the medical devices 30.

[0019] The medical system 1 includes peripheral medical devices 30, such as a video processor 30A, a light source device 30B, and a CO ２ The surgical unit includes an air supply device 30C, an electric scalpel device 30D, an operating table unit 30E, a shadowless light unit 30F, an insufflation device 30G, and an ultrasonic coagulation and incision device 30H.

[0020] A video processor 30A connected to an endoscope (not shown) processes endoscopic images. A light source device 30B generates illumination light for the endoscope. ２ The gas supply device 30C supplies CO ２ The electric scalpel device 30D is a coagulation and cutting device that uses electricity. The operating table unit 30E has a surgical bed and its control kit. The shadowless light unit 30F has a shadowless light that illuminates the surgical field and its control kit. The insufflation device 30G is a device for inflating the abdominal cavity with gas. The ultrasonic coagulation and cutting device 30H is a coagulation and cutting device that uses ultrasonic vibrations.

[0021] 2 , the operation unit 40 is an operation means by which the surgeon inputs settings of the medical devices 30 into the controller 10 using a microphone 41 and a touch panel 42. The operation unit 40 includes a display 43 that displays an endoscopic image, the operating states of the multiple medical devices 30, etc. The display 43 may also function as the touch panel 42. The operation unit 40 may have multiple touch panels 42 and multiple displays 43.

[0022] The controller 10 has a communication unit 11, a detection unit 12, and a control unit 13. The control unit 13 generates a signal (command) for controlling the medical device 30 based on operation data from the operation unit 40, and the communication unit 11 wirelessly transmits the command to the relay device 20. As will be described later, the detection unit 12 detects the communication state with the medical device 30.

[0023] The control signal includes data indicating which medical device 30 the signal is intended for. The data identifying the medical device 30 is, for example, the device ID of the medical device 30. In a medical system in which multiple medical devices 30 are connected to one relay device 20, the control signal may include information indicating which of the ports of the relay device 20 the medical device 30 is connected to.

[0024] The relay device 20 includes a communication unit 21 (a receiving unit 21A and a transmitting unit 21B), a detection unit 22, a conversion unit 23, a control unit 24, and a memory 25. The control unit 24 controls the overall operation of the relay device 20.

[0025] The relay device 20 (20A-20H) is a communication converter that performs protocol conversion appropriate for the medical device 30 for control signals received from the host controller 10 and directed to the medical device 30. A known technique is used for the protocol conversion process by the conversion unit 23. Conversion methods appropriate for each of the multiple medical devices 30A-30H are stored in the memory 25.

[0026] The detection unit 12 of the controller 10 periodically (e.g., every two seconds) transmits a heartbeat signal to the relay device 20 using the communication unit 11 to confirm that the communication connection with the relay device 20 is valid, and receives a response signal to the heartbeat signal from the relay device 20. The detection unit 22 of the relay device 20 receives the heartbeat signal periodically transmitted from the controller 10 using the communication unit 21, and transmits a response signal to the controller 10. The communication unit 21 of the relay device 20 may transmit the heartbeat signal, and the communication unit 11 of the controller 10 may transmit the response signal.

[0027] In the medical system 1 of this embodiment, the operation unit 40 and the controller 10, and the relay device 20 and the medical device 30 are connected by wire, and the controller 10 and the relay device 20 are connected by wireless. Note that the connections between the operation unit 40 and the controller 10, the controller 10 and the relay device 20, and the relay device 20 and the medical device 30 may be wired or wireless.

[0028] When the controller 10 and the relay device 20 are wirelessly connected, the detection units 12 and 22 may confirm that the communication connection is valid based on the strength of the wireless signal (RSSI) instead of the heartbeat signal. If the strength of the wireless signal is below a predetermined value, it can be considered that the communication has been disconnected.

[0029] The medical device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and an output unit 33. The control unit 32 controls the output unit 33 based on a control signal received via the communication unit 31.

[0030] As will be described later, in the medical system 1, after the controller 10 transmits a signal (first signal) that continuously changes the setting value of the medical device 30, the relay device 20 transmits a third signal to the medical device 30, which causes the medical device 30 to perform a fail-safe operation even if communication with the controller 10 is cut off. The fail-safe operation is a safe operation that was envisioned at the time of design.

[0031] Therefore, the medical system 1 prevents the setting values ​​of the medical devices 30 from being changed beyond the values ​​intended by the user.

[0032] <Operation Method of Medical System> First, normal operation of the controller 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0033] When the medical system 1 is started up, a system check is performed. Then, an operation screen corresponding to the connected medical device 30 is displayed on the touch panel 42, for example.

[0034] 4 and 5 show an example of an operation screen of the electric scalpel device 30D displayed on the touch panel 42. To increase the output value of the electric scalpel device 30D from "50," the user presses the "+ button" with their finger. On the touch panel 42, a "pressing operation" is, strictly speaking, a "touching operation."

[0035] <Step S20> The controller 10 transmits a signal (+1 signal) to the relay device 20 to increase the setting value of the electric scalpel device 30D by 1.

[0036] <Step S30> When the user stops pressing the "+ button" (releases his / her finger from the "+ button" on the touch panel 42) (S30, YES), the process returns to S10, and the controller 10 waits until the "+ button" on the touch panel 42 is pressed again.

[0037] Each time the user touches the "+ button" on the touch panel 42 of the operation unit 40, the controller 10 transmits a (+1 signal) once.

[0038] <Steps S40, S50> On the other hand, if the button is pressed and held, i.e., if the user does not stop pressing the "+ button" (does not release his / her finger from the button) even after a predetermined time T1 (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed (S40, YES), the controller 10 transmits a first signal (S50) to the relay device 20 to continuously increase the setting value of the electric scalpel device 30D. The first signal is a control signal that continuously increases the setting value at a predetermined rate (e.g., +1 / 0.2 seconds).

[0039] <Steps S60, S70> When the user stops pressing the "+ button" (releases his / her finger from the button) (S60, YES), the controller 10 transmits a stop signal to the relay device 20 to stop the continuous increase of the setting value of the electric scalpel device 30D (S70).

[0040] <Step S80> The process from S10 is repeated until the treatment is completed (S80: YES). For example, the user can press and hold the button to continuously increase the set value up to +100, and then increase it by +1 five times, thereby quickly, easily, and accurately setting the set value up to +105.

[0041] The controller 10 periodically repeats the transmission of a heartbeat signal (S100, S130) and the reception of a response signal from the relay device 20 (S110, S140) to confirm that the communication connection with the relay device 20 is valid. As will be described later, when the controller 10 detects a disconnection of communication with the relay device 20, it generates an alarm (S120, S150) to notify the user of the abnormality.

[0042] The interval T20 for transmitting the heartbeat signal (S92) after transmitting the first signal is preferably shorter than the interval T10 for transmitting the heartbeat signal (S90) before transmitting the first signal. For example, the interval for transmitting the heartbeat signal is normally set to 2 seconds, and after transmitting the first signal (continuous increase signal), it is set to 0.2 seconds.

[0043] Although the above description has been given taking an example of increasing the set value, it goes without saying that the same applies to decreasing the set value.

[0044] Next, the operation of the relay device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0045] <Steps S200-S220> When the receiving unit 21A of the relay device 20 receives a (+1 signal) from the controller 10, the conversion unit 23 converts the (+1 signal) into a (converted +1 signal) that conforms to the communication specifications of the electric scalpel device 30D, and the transmission unit 21B transmits the converted +1 signal to the electric scalpel device 30D. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 , the output value of the electric scalpel device 30D increases to "51."

[0046] <Steps S230-S250> When the receiving unit 21A of the relay device 20 receives from the controller 10 a first signal that continuously increases the setting value of the electric scalpel device 30D, the conversion unit 23 converts the (+1 signal) into a second signal that conforms to the communication specifications of the electric scalpel device 30D, and the transmitting unit 21B transmits the second signal to the electric scalpel device 30D.

[0047] <Steps S260-S280> When the receiving unit 21A of the relay device 20 receives from the controller 10 a stop signal to stop the continuous increase of the setting value of the electric scalpel device 30D, the conversion unit 23 converts the stop signal into a conversion stop signal that conforms to the communication specifications of the electric scalpel device 30D, and the transmission unit 21B transmits the conversion stop signal to the electric scalpel device 30D.

[0048] <Step S290> The process from S200 is repeated until the treatment is completed (S290: YES).

[0049] The communication unit 21 of the relay device 20 periodically repeats receiving a heartbeat signal (S300, S320) and receiving a response signal (S310, S330) to confirm that the communication connection with the controller 10 is valid. As already explained, the reception interval T20 for receiving a heartbeat signal after receiving the first signal (S320) is preferably shorter than the reception interval T10 for receiving a heartbeat signal before receiving the first signal (S300).

[0050] If the heartbeat signal cannot be received (NO in step S300), the relay device 20 preferably issues an alarm to notify the user.

[0051] <Steps S320-S350> If the relay device 20 cannot receive a heartbeat signal (S320, NO), the relay device 20 generates a third signal, which is a fail-safe signal for stopping the increase in the setting value of the electric scalpel device 30D, and transmits the third signal to the electric scalpel device 30D. This prevents the setting value of the electric scalpel device 30D from increasing beyond the value intended by the user. The fail-safe signal is a command signal that controls the electric scalpel device 30D to operate on the safe side assumed at the time of design.

[0052] In this embodiment, the third signal (fail-safe signal) is a signal to stop changing the set value converted into the protocol of the medical device 30, i.e., a conversion stop signal. When the electric scalpel device 30D receives the third signal, the increase in the set value is stopped.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of the medical system 1.

[0054] The controller 10 and the relay device 20 transmit and receive heartbeat signals at a predetermined interval T10 to confirm that the communication connection is valid.

[0055] Upon receiving the (+1 signal) from the controller 10 , the relay device 20 transmits the (converted +1 signal) to the medical device 30 .

[0056] Upon receiving the first signal (continuous increase signal) from the controller 10 , the relay device 20 transmits a second signal (converted increase signal) to the medical device 30 .

[0057] The controller 10 and the relay device 20 transmit and receive heartbeat signals at a predetermined interval T20 to confirm that the communication connection is valid.

[0058] When the relay device 20 is no longer able to receive the heartbeat signal, it transmits a third signal to the medical device 30. As a result, the setting value of the medical device 30, which had been continuously increasing, stops increasing.

[0059] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a medical system 1 having a controller 10, a relay device 20, and a medical device 30, it is possible to provide a relay device of the medical system that controls the medical device 30 to perform fail-safe operation even if communication between the controller 10 and the relay device 20 is interrupted. It is also possible to provide an operation method of the relay device 20 of the medical system that controls the medical device 30 to perform fail-safe operation even if communication with the controller 10 is interrupted. It is also possible to provide a medical system including a medical device 30 that performs fail-safe operation even if communication between the controller 10 and the relay device 20 is interrupted.

[0060] <Modification of the embodiment> A medical system according to a modification of the embodiment is similar to the medical system according to the embodiment and has the same effects. Therefore, components with the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0061] When the relay device 20 of the medical system 1 receives the first signal, it generates and outputs a second signal (continuous UP signal) that changes the set value at a predetermined rate. Alternatively, when the relay device 20 receives the first signal, it may generate a second signal (+1 signal) that changes the set value by the minimum set unit but continuously at a predetermined frequency.

[0062] The third signal is not limited to a stop signal that stops the change of the set value, as long as it is a fail-safe signal that puts the medical device 30 into a safe state. For example, the third signal may be a control signal that sets the set value to a first set value that is preset for each medical device.

[0063] Table 1 is an example of the first setting value table stored in the memory.

[0064]

[0065] The first set value is the minimum set value for the output of the electric scalpel device 30D and the pressure of the insufflation device 30G, whereas the first set value for the brightness value of the video processor 30A is the median set value.

[0066] The third signal, which is a fail-safe signal, may include an alarm signal in addition to a control signal that sets the setting value of the medical device 30 to a safe state. For example, upon receiving the alarm signal, the medical device 30 may notify the user of a communication interruption by voice or by lighting a lamp to notify the user of an abnormality.

[0067] As described with reference to Fig. 3, the detection unit 12 of the controller 10 also detects a disconnection of communication with the relay device 20 based on the strength of the heartbeat signal or wireless signal. When the controller 10 detects a disconnection of communication with a relay device 20 connected to a certain medical device 30, it issues an alarm (Fig. 3; S120, S150). The alarm may be generated by, for example, blacking out the screen of the medical device 30 on the touch panel, or by an audio notification.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0069] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Medical system 10 System controller 10 Controller 11 Communication unit 12 Detection unit 13 Control unit 20 (20A-30H) Relay device 21 Communication unit 21A Receiving unit 21B Transmitting unit 22 Detection unit 23 Conversion unit 24 Control unit 25 Memory 30 (30A-30H) Medical device 30A Video processor 30B Light source device 30C CO ２ Air supply device 30D: Electric scalpel device 30E: Operating table unit 30F: Shadowless light unit 30G: Insufflation device 30H: Ultrasonic coagulation and incision device 31: Communication unit 32: Control unit 33: Output unit 40: Operation unit 41: Microphone 42: Touch panel 43: Display

Claims

1. A medical device comprising: a receiving unit that receives a heartbeat signal from a controller and a first signal that continuously changes a setting value of the medical device; a conversion unit for converting the first signal into a second signal; a transmitting unit for transmitting the second signal to the medical device; a detection unit for detecting a communication disconnection with the controller based on the heartbeat signal; a control unit that controls the transmission unit to transmit a third signal, which is a fail-safe signal, to the medical device when the detection unit detects a communication disconnection; A relay device in a medical system, wherein the interval between the heartbeat signals is shorter after receiving the first signal than before receiving the first signal.

2. 2. The relay device of the medical system according to claim 1, wherein the first signal is a signal for changing the set value at a predetermined rate.

3. 3. The relay device of the medical system according to claim 2, wherein the second signal is a signal for changing the set value at a predetermined rate.

4. 3. The relay device of the medical system according to claim 2, wherein the second signal is a signal in which the signal for changing the set value is continuous.

5. 2. The relay device of the medical system according to claim 1, wherein the third signal is a signal for stopping the change of the set value.

6. 2. The relay device of the medical system according to claim 1, wherein the third signal is a signal for changing the set value to a predetermined first set value.

7. 7. The relay device of the medical system according to claim 6, further comprising a memory for storing the first setting value corresponding to the medical device.

8. 7. The relay device of the medical system according to claim 6, wherein the first set value is a minimum value of the set values.

9. A relay device of a medical system as described in claim 1, characterized in that the third signal includes an alarm signal.

10. When a heartbeat signal is received from a controller and a first signal for continuously changing a setting value of a medical device is received, the heartbeat signal is received at a shorter interval than before the first signal is received, converting the first signal into a second signal; transmitting the second signal to the medical device; A method for operating a relay device in a medical system, characterized in that when a communication interruption is detected based on the heartbeat signal having a short interval from the controller, a third signal which is a fail-safe signal is sent to the medical device.

11. A medical device, a controller that transmits a heartbeat signal and shortens the interval of the heartbeat signal after transmitting a first signal that continuously changes a setting value of the medical device; a relay device that receives the first signal, converts it to a second signal, and transmits the second signal to the medical device, and when it detects a loss of communication with the controller based on the short-interval heartbeat signal, transmits a third signal, which is a fail-safe signal, to the medical device.

12. 12. The medical system according to claim 11, wherein the controller generates an alarm when it detects a disconnection of communication with the relay device.