Medical transducer, medical transducer holder, and medical transducer holder system

Abstract

A medical transducer holder according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a housing capable of mounting one or more medical transducers; and a first electrical circuit disposed in the housing and having a plurality of input terminals connectable to each of the transducers, wherein the first electrical circuit outputs an analog signal received through an input terminal connected to at least one transducer mounted in the housing.

Description

Medical Transducer, Medical Transducer Holder and Medical Transducer Holder System

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical transducer, a medical transducer holder, and a medical transducer holder system.

[0002] Invasive blood pressure measurement methods are widely used in patient management in intensive care units and operating rooms because they provide more accurate and faster diagnoses compared to non-invasive methods. High-performance patient monitors can be connected to medical transducers, and invasive blood pressure signals measured by each transducer are transmitted to the patient monitor via cables connected to the transducers.

[0003] Meanwhile, in the case of patients undergoing complex surgeries or critically ill patients, the number of invasive blood pressure signals requiring real-time intensive monitoring, such as arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and pulmonary artery pressure, may increase. In this case, since each transducer is connected to a patient monitor via a separate cable, the cable configuration from the transducer holder to the patient monitor becomes complex and difficult to manage. In particular, when there are two or more patient monitors requiring connection to each transducer, the cable connection becomes even more complicated.

[0004] In addition, research is actively being conducted on algorithms that compute secondary and tertiary hemodynamic variables, such as cardiac output and hypotension prediction, using invasive blood pressure signals acquired through medical transducers. However, for such algorithms to be commercialized, multiple invasive blood pressure signals must be acquired together and transmitted to an external device capable of computing secondary and tertiary hemodynamic variables.

[0005] However, currently, it is necessary to purchase expensive dedicated equipment that provides fixed hemodynamic variables and dedicated transducers for this purpose, which limits its application to various algorithms and is financially burdensome.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide a medical transducer holder and a medical transducer holder system that improve convenience by simplifying cable connections when using multiple medical transducers.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a medical transducer holder and a medical transducer holder system that facilitate the application of an external device using a blood pressure signal-based algorithm by facilitating the external output of an acquired blood pressure signal.

[0008] A medical transducer holder according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing capable of mounting one or more medical transducers; and a first electrical circuit disposed within the housing and having a plurality of input terminals connectable to each transducer, wherein the first electrical circuit can output an analog signal received through an input terminal connected to at least one transducer mounted in the housing.

[0009] The medical transducer holder may further include an input section electrically connected to the first electrical circuit to receive an analog signal; and a second electrical circuit composed of a first output section that branches the analog signal to one or more output terminals and outputs it to a first external device.

[0010] The second electrical circuit may further include a converter that converts the analog signal into a digital signal; and a second output unit that outputs the digital signal to a second external device.

[0011] The first electrical circuit above can output the analog signal through an integrated cable composed of a plurality of signal lines transmitting the analog signal and a shield line surrounding the plurality of signal lines.

[0012] The above housing may be provided with one or more mounting portions in which each transducer can be mounted, and grooves may be formed so that each of the input terminals is exposed to the outside.

[0013] In a medical transducer according to one embodiment of the present invention, an output terminal may be in contact with any one of the input terminals of the medical transducer holder.

[0014] A medical transducer system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a housing capable of mounting one or more medical transducers; a medical transducer holder comprising a first electrical circuit disposed within the housing and having one or more input terminals connectable to the transducers, wherein the first electrical circuit outputs an analog signal received through an input terminal connected to at least one transducer mounted in the housing; an input unit electrically connected to the medical transducer holder to receive the analog signal; and a signal branching device comprising a second electrical circuit composed of a first output unit that branches the analog signal to one or more output terminals and outputs it to a first external device.

[0015] The second electrical circuit may further include a converter that converts the analog signal into a digital signal; and a second output unit that outputs the digital signal to a second external device.

[0016] The second output unit further includes a communication unit for wireless communication and can output the digital signal to a second external device through the communication unit.

[0017] The medical transducer system described above is composed of a plurality of signal lines that transmit an analog signal and a shield line that surrounds the plurality of signal lines, and may further include an integrated cable connecting the transducer holder and the signal branching device.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, electrical connection, analog signal reception, and branching are achieved simply by mounting a plurality of transducers on a transducer holder, thereby increasing convenience of use.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when using multiple transducers, the connection with an external device is made through a single cable, thereby reducing the inconvenience of cable management and improving the patient monitoring environment.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the transducer connection method can be changed from a conventional individual cable connection type to a contact type, thereby increasing convenience in the installation and use of the transducer.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by distributing the signal received from the transducer through a circuit, it is possible to enable various uses of the invasive blood pressure signal in external devices other than the patient monitor.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the convenience of invasive blood pressure monitoring of a patient monitor is maximized, while additionally enabling real-time use of invasive blood pressure data.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, real-time invasive blood pressure data can be input into an external device for storage or used in real time, thereby providing an additional benefit that enables the research and development of various algorithms and their application to medical devices in the future.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection structure of a medical transducer holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a medical transducer holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection structure of a medical transducer system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection of a medical transducer system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a medical transducer connected to a medical transducer holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a first electrical circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a signal branching device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a medical transducer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description disclosed below, together with the accompanying drawings, is intended to describe exemplary embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiment in which the present invention can be practiced. In order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts unrelated to the description may be omitted, and the same reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection structure of a medical transducer holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] A medical transducer holder (100) (hereinafter also referred to as the transducer holder (100) or holder (100)) is a device capable of holding one or more medical transducers (10) (hereinafter also referred to as transducers (10)). The transducer holder (100) can be implemented to be physically connected to one or more transducers (10), as well as electrically connected.

[0035] The transducer (10) is a device that detects changes in blood pressure conducted through plastic tubing connected to a catheter inside the blood vessel and converts them into electrical signals.

[0036] The transducer holder (100) is electrically connected to the mounted transducer (10) and can transmit the electrical signal received from each transducer (10) to the first external device (20) and the second external device (30). At this time, the electrical signal is an invasive blood pressure signal and is an analog signal, so the transducer holder (100) can output the analog signal as is or convert the analog signal into a digital signal and output it.

[0037] The first external device (20) is a device that displays the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, etc., and may be a patient monitor. The first external device (20) can receive an analog signal from the transducer holder (100) and display the patient's arterial pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, femoral artery pressure, etc. The analog signal can be converted into a digital value and calculated within the first external device (20) and displayed as a real-time waveform and number. In addition to a patient monitor, the first external device (20) can be applied without limitation to any device capable of receiving and processing analog signals.

[0038] The second external device (30) is a device that calculates second and third hemodynamic variables by running a blood pressure signal-based algorithm, and can be implemented as a computer, server, smartphone, tablet PC, smart pad, laptop, etc.

[0039] Secondary and tertiary hemodynamic variables are variables calculated from a combination of 1 to 4 invasive blood pressure signals, such as pulse pressure variation calculated from real-time arterial pressure signals, arterial pressure-based cardiac output, and AI-based hypotension prediction index. Additionally, they may be systemic vascular resistance using two signals of arterial pressure and central venous pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance using two signals of arterial pressure and pulmonary artery pressure, femoro-radial arterial pressure discrepancy using two signals of arterial pressure and femoral artery pressure, or right ventricular stroke work index using three signals of arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and pulmonary artery pressure, and various other variables may also be employed. The second external device (30) can receive a digital signal from the transducer holder (100) and apply it to various blood pressure signal-based algorithms.

[0040] In the present invention, a medical transducer holder (100) is proposed that is physically and electrically connected to a plurality of medical transducers (10) to integrate and branch a plurality of analog signals.

[0041] In addition, the present invention proposes a medical transducer system (1) comprising a medical transducer holder (200) that is physically and electrically connected to a plurality of medical transducers (10) to transmit a plurality of analog signals, and a signal branching device (300) that branches a plurality of analog signals.

[0042] Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a medical transducer holder (100, 200), etc., according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a medical transducer holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] A medical transducer holder (100) may include a housing (110), a first electric circuit (120), and a second electric circuit (130).

[0045] The housing (110) may be provided with one or more mounting portions for mounting each transducer (10). The method of mounting the transducer (10) to the housing (110) may vary, for example, a male-female coupling, a coupling using a magnetic material, Velcro, a hook and loop coupling, etc. A male-female coupling means that there is a recessed or protruding portion on one end of the transducer (10) (specifically, the housing of the transducer (10)) and a protruding or recessed portion on one end of the mounting portion of the housing (110) so that they interlock and are coupled.

[0046] In addition, the arrangement of the mounting portions of the housing (110) can be varied. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, there may be four mounting portions arranged in a row on the cross-section, but it may also be implemented to have two mounting portions on each side. As such, the number and arrangement of the mounting portions are not limited to any one.

[0047] The first electric circuit (120) is a circuit that receives and outputs an analog signal from at least one transducer (10) mounted in the housing (110). The first electric circuit (120) may be implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB). An example of the first electric circuit (120) is shown in FIG. 6.

[0048] The first electrical circuit (120) is placed within the housing (110) and may have one or more input terminals that can be connected to each transducer (10). The input terminals are contacts for electrically connecting to the transducers and may be provided in the number of mounting parts of the housing (110). The input terminals may also be implemented in various ways, such as pressure springs, pogo pins, and magnetic terminals. At this time, since the input terminals must be exposed to the outside to make contact with each transducer (10), the housing (110) may have grooves formed so that each input terminal is exposed to the outside.

[0049] Each transducer (10) has an output terminal (hereinafter referred to as a first output terminal to distinguish it from the output terminal described later), and is mounted on one of the mounting parts of the transducer holder (100), so that the first output terminal of the transducer (10) and the connection terminal of the transducer holder (100) are electrically connected.

[0050] The first electrical circuit (120) can output an analog signal through an integrated cable consisting of a plurality of signal lines that transmit an analog signal received from one or more input terminals and a shield line that surrounds the plurality of signal lines.

[0051] The second electric circuit (130) is a circuit that is electrically connected to the first electric circuit (120) to receive and output an analog signal. The second electric circuit (130) may also be placed within the housing (110), and the second electric circuit (130) may be implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB). In this case, the first electric circuit (120) and the second electric circuit (130) may be implemented on a single printed circuit board, or they may each be implemented on separate printed circuit boards. An example of the second electric circuit (130) is shown in FIG. 7.

[0052] The second electric circuit (130) can be designed as a circuit pattern that connects the signal of the input section to the first output section while simultaneously branching the signal line to connect to the second output section. Within the second electric circuit (130), voltage amplification or adjustment may be performed as needed.

[0053] The second electric circuit (130) may be composed of an input section that is electrically connected to the first electric circuit (120) to receive an analog signal, and a first output section that branches the analog signal to one or more output terminals (hereinafter referred to as second output terminals) and outputs it to a first external device (20).

[0054] The way the first electric circuit (120) and the second electric circuit (130) are electrically connected can vary. For example, signal lines extending from an integrated cable connected to the first electric circuit (120) can be connected to the input of the second electric circuit (130). Alternatively, if the first electric circuit (120) and the second electric circuit (130) use the same printed circuit board, they can be interconnected through a designed circuit pattern.

[0055] Meanwhile, the second electrical circuit (130) may further include a converter that converts an analog signal into a digital signal; and a second output unit that outputs the digital signal to a second external device (30). As described above, the second electrical circuit (130) may further include a converter for an external device that receives the digital signal. It is sufficient for the converter to function as an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and the implementation form is not limited to any one.

[0056] The first output unit and the second output unit can be connected via a cable having a connection terminal (connector) compatible with each of the first external device (20) and the second external device (30). Since the transducer holder (100) can be connected with only a cable having a connector compatible with the first external device (20) and the second external device (30), the transducer holder (100) can be easily used even if the manufacturer of the external device provided by each hospital is different.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, electrical connection, analog signal reception, and branching are achieved simply by mounting one or more transducers (10) on a transducer holder (100), thereby increasing convenience of use.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention, even when multiple transducers are used, the connection with an external device is made through a single cable, thereby reducing the inconvenience of cable management and improving the patient monitoring environment.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the transducer connection method can be changed from a conventional individual cable connection type to a contact type, thereby increasing convenience in the installation and use of the transducer.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by distributing the signal received from the transducer through a circuit, it is possible to enable various uses of the invasive blood pressure signal in external devices other than the patient monitor.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection structure of a medical transducer system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] A medical transducer system (1) may include a medical transducer holder (200) and a signal branching device (300). In this drawing, a case is described in which the second electrical circuit (130) of the medical transducer holder (100) described above is implemented as a signal branching device (300), which is separate hardware.

[0063] The transducer holder (200) is identical to the medical transducer holder (100) described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 in that it includes a housing (110) and a first electrical circuit (120). Therefore, specific details are described above.

[0064] The signal branching device (300) is also identical in that it includes the second electric circuit (130) described with reference to FIG. 2. Therefore, for specific details, refer to the previously described content.

[0065] The medical transducer holder (200) and the signal branching device (300) can be connected by an integrated cable (250), and the integrated cable (250) can be composed of a plurality of signal lines that transmit an analog signal and a shield line that surrounds the plurality of signal lines.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by placing a signal branching device separately, it can be positioned close to an external device that is the final receiving end.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the connection of a medical transducer system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the transducer holder (200) and the signal branching device (300) are separated, as described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is merely an example, and the type of blood pressure being measured, the number of transducers mounted, the shape of the transducer or holder, the method of connection, etc., are not limited to any one.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 4, transducers (10) are each mounted in a transducer holder (200) to simultaneously measure four invasive blood pressures: arterial pressure (ART), central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and femoral arterial pressure (FEM).

[0070] The two components can be electrically connected through a first output terminal (11) located at the rear end (location is not limited) of the transducer (10) and an input terminal (121) of the transducer holder (200).

[0071] The transducer holder (200) can receive an analog signal and transmit it to a signal branching device (300) via an integrated cable (250).

[0072] Subsequently, within the signal branching device (300), analog signals can be branched and output to the first external device (20) through the second output terminals. At this time, the analog signals can be output through a cable connection to the port of the first external device (20) corresponding to each analog signal. That is, analog signals received from the transducer measuring arterial pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and femoral artery pressure can be transmitted as is to the port for arterial pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and femoral artery pressure signals.

[0073] Additionally, within the signal branching device (300), analog signals can be converted into digital signals and output to the second external device (30). At this time, the signal branching device (300) may be wired to the second external device (30) to transmit digital signals, but is not limited thereto and may be implemented to communicate wirelessly by having a separate communication unit with the second external device (30). The communication unit may be implemented, for example, in the second output unit to perform wireless communication such as 5G (5th generation communication), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), LTE (Long Term Evolution), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), and Bluetooth.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the convenience of invasive blood pressure monitoring of a patient monitor is maximized, while additionally enabling real-time use of invasive blood pressure data.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, real-time invasive blood pressure data can be input into an external device for storage or used in real time, thereby providing an additional benefit that enables the research and development of various algorithms and their application to medical devices in the future.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a medical transducer connected to a medical transducer holder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] The transducer holder (possibly either 100 or 200) illustrated in FIG. 5 can be slidably coupled with the transducer (10). A groove (111) may be formed in the housing of the transducer holder (100 or 200) so that an input terminal is exposed to the outside.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a first electrical circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] The first electrical circuit (120) can be designed with a circuit pattern to output an analog signal received through a plurality of input terminals (121) and a plurality of input terminals (121) through an integrated cable (250).

[0080] The first electrical circuit (120) can output an analog signal through an integrated cable (250) that integrates signal lines coming from each input terminal. For example, if the input terminal (121) of the first electrical circuit (120) is 4 pins, n input terminals (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) require 4n signal lines. The integrated cable (250), which includes a single shield wire that integrates the 4n signal lines into one, can be connected to the second electrical circuit (130) or the signal branching device (300).

[0081] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a signal branching device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] At this time, the internal structure of the second electric circuit (310) is identical to the internal structure of the second electric circuit (130) embedded in the transducer holder (100).

[0083] The signal branching device (300) includes a second electrical circuit (310), and the second electrical circuit (310) may include an input section (311) that receives an analog signal through an integrated cable (250) and a first output section (312) that transmits the analog signal to a first external device (20). The circuit pattern of the first output section (312) may be designed to branch signals according to a pressure cable (350) connected to the first external device (20).

[0084] Additionally, the second electrical circuit (130) may further include a converter (313) that converts an analog signal received through an input unit (311) into a digital signal, and a second output unit (314) that outputs the digital signal to a second external device (30).

[0085] However, the second electric circuit (310) is not limited to the present embodiment and may be separated into an electric circuit having an input section (311) and a first output section (312), and an electric circuit having a conversion section (313) and a second output section (314), respectively.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a medical transducer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] FIG. 8 illustrates the top and bottom of the transducer (10), and the two components can be electrically connected through the first output terminal (11) located at the rear end of the transducer (10) and the input terminal (121) of the transducer holder (200).

[0088] At this time, the shape may be modified depending on the implementation method of the first output terminal (11), and the position of the first output terminal (11) and the shape of the transducer (10) are not limited to the drawings.

Claims

1. In a medical transducer holder, A housing capable of accommodating one or more medical transducers; It includes a first electrical circuit disposed within the above housing and having one or more input terminals connectable to a transducer, and The above first electric circuit is, A medical transducer holder characterized by outputting an analog signal received through an input terminal connected to at least one transducer mounted in the housing.

2. In Paragraph 1, An input unit electrically connected to the first electrical circuit above to receive an analog signal; and A medical transducer holder further comprising a second electrical circuit composed of a first output section that branches the above analog signal into one or more output terminals and outputs it to a first external device.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above second electric circuit is, A converter that converts the above analog signal into a digital signal; and A medical transducer holder further comprising a second output unit that outputs the above digital signal to a second external device.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above first electric circuit is, A medical transducer holder that outputs an analog signal through an integrated cable comprising a plurality of signal lines transmitting an analog signal and a shield line surrounding the plurality of signal lines.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above housing is, A medical transducer holder characterized by having one or more mounting portions capable of mounting each transducer, and grooves formed so that each of the input terminals is exposed to the outside.

6. In medical transducers, A medical transducer having an output terminal that contacts any one of the input terminals of a medical transducer holder according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 5.

7. In a medical transducer system, A medical transducer holder comprising: a housing capable of mounting one or more medical transducers; and a first electrical circuit disposed within the housing and having one or more input terminals connectable to the transducers, wherein the first electrical circuit outputs an analog signal received through an input terminal connected to at least one transducer mounted in the housing. A medical transducer system comprising a signal branching device including: an input unit electrically connected to the medical transducer holder to receive an analog signal; and a first output unit comprising a second electrical circuit that branches the analog signal to one or more output terminals and outputs it to a first external device.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above second electric circuit is, A converter that converts the above analog signal into a digital signal; A medical transducer system further comprising a second output unit that outputs the above digital signal to a second external device.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above second output unit further includes a communication unit for wireless communication, and A medical transducer system that outputs the digital signal to a second external device through the communication unit.

10. In Paragraph 7, A medical transducer system comprising a plurality of signal lines transmitting an analog signal and a shield line surrounding the plurality of signal lines, and further including an integrated cable connecting the transducer holder and the signal branching device.

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