Medical cart

Abstract

A medical cart is described. The medical cart includes a support structure configured to have a console of a medical device mounted thereon. The support structure includes a base portion, a plurality of wheels coupled to the base portion, and at least one sensor coupled to the support structure. The at least one sensor is configured to sense movement information associated with movement of the medical cart across a surface.

Description

Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1MEDICAL CART FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This disclosure relates to a medical cart configured to track movement information.BACKGROUND

[0002] Medical carts are used in the medical field for a wide range of applications and purposes. For example, medical carts may be used to transport medical equipment for monitoring a patient, while keeping the medical equipment close to the patient. As another example, the patient may receive medication (e.g., intravenously supplied medication) from a dispenser coupled to the medical cart and the dispensing of medication may be controlled by equipment on the medical cart. A medical cart may include wheels such that the patient may move the medical cart as they are ambulating during recovery from a medical procedure.SUMMARY

[0003] A cardiac support system may include a console configured to be mounted on a medical cart. The cardiac support system may include an intravascular blood pump positioned in the heart of a patient, and the console may be configured to control operation of the intravascular blood pump and display information associated with operation of the pump. Patients with intravascular blood pumps or other medical devices may be encouraged by their physician to walk within their hospital ward to aid in their recovery. However, track the distance that a patient has walked may be challenging in the hospital environment. The inventors have recognized and appreciated that tracking movement information associated with patient ambulation during recovery may be improved by tracking movement information associated with the medical cart on which a console for the cardiac support system is mounted. For instance, because the console for the intravascular blood pump is mounted on a medical cart, the patient may have to roll the medical cart with them as the patient ambulates. To this end, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for sensing movement information associated with a medical cart as a patient is ambulating to, for example, determine a distance that a patient has walked during recovery.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1

[0004] In some embodiments, a medical cart is provided. The medical cart includes a support structure configured to have a console of a medical device mounted thereon, where the support structure includes a base portion, a plurality of wheels coupled to the base portion, and at least one sensor coupled to the support structure and configured to sense movement information associated with movement of the medical cart across a surface.

[0005] In one aspect, the medical cart includes a handle coupled to the support structure. In another aspect, the handle is coupled to the support structure between the console and the base portion. In another aspect, the support structure is oriented along a vertical axis between the base portion and the console, and the handle is arranged to at least partially surround the vertical axis. In another aspect, the handle is arranged to surround the vertical axis.

[0006] In another aspect, a processor is configured to receive data associated with the movement information, determine based on the data, a distance traveled by the medical cart across the surface, and output via a communication interface associated with the medical cart, an indication of the distance traveled by the medical cart. In another aspect, the communication interface is configured to transmit the indication based on the distance traveled by the medical cart to a database configured to store health records. In another aspect, the communication interface includes a user interface configured to display the indication of the distance traveled by the medical cart. In another aspect, the user interface includes a visual display configured to display the indication of the distance traveled by the medical cart. In another aspect, the visual display is configured to display a numerical value based on the distance traveled by the medical cart. In another aspect, the visual display includes a plurality of lights, wherein the plurality of lights are arranged on the handle. In another aspect, medical cart of claim 8, wherein the user interface includes a tactile interface configured to produce a tactile output based on the distance traveled by the medical cart. In another aspect, the tactile interface is disposed within the handle.

[0007] In another aspect, the user interface includes an audio interface, configured to produce an audio output based on distance traveled by the medical cart. In another aspect, the processor is disposed within the handle. In another aspect, the processor is disposed within the console. In another aspect, the processor is further configured to determine whether a patient is ambulating with the medical cart, where determining the distance traveled by the medical cart across theAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1surface based on the data includes determining the distance only when it is determined that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart. In another aspect, the medical cart further includes an impedance sensor disposed on the handle, where determining whether the patient is ambulating is based, at least in part, on a signal received from the impedance sensor. In another aspect, determining whether the patient is ambulating is based, at least in part, on a signal received from a sensor coupled to a portion of the medical device separate from the medical cart.

[0008] In another aspect, the sensor is coupled to a portion of the medical device separate from the medical cart includes an accelerometer coupled to a handle of a mechanical circulatory support device. In another aspect, the at least one sensor is arranged on the handle. In another aspect, the at least one sensor is arranged on the base portion. In another aspect, the at least one sensor includes a distance sensor and the movement information includes a distance traveled by the medical cart across the surface sensed by the distance sensor. In another aspect, the distance sensor is an ultrasonic distance sensor. In another aspect, the distance sensor is an infrared sensor. In another aspect, the at least one sensor includes an accelerometer and the movement information includes an acceleration of the medical cart sensed by the accelerometer. In another aspect, the at least one sensor includes a tachometer and the movement information includes a number of rotations of the plurality of wheels of the medical cart across the surface sensed by the tachometer. In another aspect, the at least one sensor includes a velocity sensor and the movement information includes a velocity of the medical cart sensed by the velocity sensor.

[0009] In another aspect, the console includes a controller configured to control operation of the medical device implanted in a patient. In another aspect, the medical cart further includes a processor configured to receive physiological information associated with a patient within which the medical device is implanted, determine, based at least in part on the physiological information, whether the patient is ambulating with the medical cart, and determine a distance traveled by the medical cart when it is determined that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart. In another aspect, the processor is further configured to receive data associated with the sensed movement information by the at least one sensor. In another aspect, the processor is further configured to output the distance traveled to a communication interface associated with the medical cart. In another aspect, the at least one sensor includes a transceiver configured to receive signals fromAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1one or more signal devices in an environment of the medical cart, wherein the movement information is determined based, at least in part, on the received signals.

[0010] In some embodiments, a method is provided. The method includes receiving sensor data from at least one sensor arranged on a medical cart, determining, by a processor, movement information associated with movement of the medical cart across a surface based on the sensor data, and outputting an indication of the movement information by the medical cart to a communication interface associated with the medical cart.

[0011] In another aspect, the movement information includes at least one of a distance traveled by the medical cart, a velocity of the medical cart or an acceleration of the medical cart. In another aspect, the medical cart is associated with a patient and the method further includes transmitting, via the communication interface, the indication of the movement information to a database configured to store a health record for the patient. In another aspect, the medical cart includes a transceiver and wherein the method further includes receiving, by the transceiver, signals from one or more signal devices in an environment of the medical cart, and determining the movement information based on the received signals. In another aspect, the method further includes determining whether the medical cart is being pushed by a patient associated with the medical cart, and in response to determining that the medical cart is being pushed by the patient, determining the movement information. In another aspect, determining whether the medical cart is being pushed by the patient includes receiving a signal from an impedance sensor that the patient is touching a handle of the medical cart.

[0012] In another aspect, the medical cart includes a console associated with a medical device implanted in a patient and the method further includes receiving physiological information associated with the patient with which the medical device is implanted, determining, based at least in part on the physiological information, whether the patient is ambulating with the medical cart, and determining a distance traveled by the medical cart when it is determined that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart. In another aspect, the method further includes outputting the distance traveled to the communication interface.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative medical device cart, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows an illustrative handle for a medical cart, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a first system architecture, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 3B is an illustrative first scenario of a patient having an implanted medical device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 3C is an illustrative second scenario of a patient having an implanted medical device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 3D shows plots of pump and accelerometer signals that may be used to detect motion of a patient having an implanted medical device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 3E is a block diagram of a second system architecture, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for determining a distance that a medical cart has traveled across a surface, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a potential path of travel across a surface for a medical cart, in accordance with some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] After a medical procedure, physicians often prescribe patients to walk (often referred to as “ambulation”) to the best of their abilities to aid in their recovery. For example, ambulation may stimulate circulation, which can aid in quicker healing and a faster recovery from the medical procedure and / or may result in improved outcomes from the medical procedure. Although ambulation after a medical procedure is often encouraged, it may be challenging to track the amount and / or type of ambulation. The inventors have recognized and appreciated that because such patients may need to ambulate with a medical cart (e.g., a medical cart configured to hold a console of an implanted medical device), one or more aspects of the medical cart may beAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1configured to determine movement information of the patient (e.g., distance traveled, velocity, acceleration, etc.) as the patient ambulates. For instance, the movement of the medical cart along a surface (e.g., a substantially flat surface) may be tracked while the patient is ambulating with the medical cart. Feedback providing an indication of the tracked movement information may be provided to the patient and / or others to motivate the patient to continue ambulating. Such information may additionally or alternatively be used by physicians and other healthcare professionals to track patient movement during recovery. For instance, an indication of the tracked movement information may be recorded in the patient’s electronic health record. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a medical cart configured to track movement information (e.g., the distance a patient walks) while the patient pushes / pulls the medical cart around during ambulation.

[0023] To provide an overall understanding of the systems, methods, and devices described herein, certain illustrative examples will be described. Although various examples may describe specific medical procedures and / or uses of a cardiac support device, it will be understood that the technology described herein may be employed in any suitable context.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative medical cart 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The medical cart 100 may include a handle 130, a base portion 140, a support structure 120, a plurality of wheels 150a-d, and at least one sensor 160. The medical cart 100 may be configured to support a console 110 (e.g., a console configured to control and / or display information from a medical device associated with a patient). The base portion 140 may be coupled to the support structure 120. In some embodiments, the support structure 120 may be oriented along a vertical axis between the base portion 140 and the console 110. The plurality of wheels 150a-d may be coupled to the base portion 140 such that the medical cart 100 may be rolled (e.g., pushed, pulled) across a surface. The medical cart 100 may include any suitable number of wheels. For instance, the medical cart 100 may include three wheels, four wheels, or more than four wheels. The handle 130 may be coupled to the support structure 120 and may be configured to enable a patient to grasp the handle 130 to more easily push / pull the medical cart 100 across a surface. In some embodiments, the handle 130 may be adjustable such that the height of the handle 130 may be adapted to the height of a patient using the medical cart 100. The medical cart 100 may beAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1associated with at least one sensor 160 configured to sense a movement of the medical cart 100 across a surface (e.g., a substantially flat surface). In some embodiments, the at least one sensor 160 may be coupled to the medical cart 100. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one sensor 160 may be coupled to or be incorporated within a component coupled to the medical cart 100. For example, the at least one sensor 160 may be coupled to or incorporated within the console 110. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor 160 may be configured to receive signals from a transmitting device located separate from but in the environment of the medical cart 100. In such embodiments, the movement information may be determined based, at least in part, on the received signals.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows an illustrative embodiment of a handle 130, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, handle 130 may surround at least a portion of the support structure 120 (e.g., partially surround the support structure 120). In some embodiments, the handle 130 may completely surround the support structure 120, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. The handle 130 may have any suitable shape that allows for the patient to grasp the handle 130 to push / pull the medical cart 100 across a surface. In some embodiments, the handle 130 may include one or more of a communication interface, at least one sensor (e.g., the at least one sensor 160), or a power supply.

[0026] In some embodiments, the communication interface may be implemented as a user interface. The user interface may include a visual display, a tactile interface, an audio interface or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the visual display may include a numerical display 210 configured to display a numerical value, as shown in FIG. 2. The numerical display 210 may be configured to display movement information, such as the distance that the medical cart has traveled across a surface. For example, if the medical cart 100 has traveled 100 meters, the numerical display 210 may be configured to display “100 m.” The numerical display 210 may be configured to encourage a patient to continue to walk further / more often to surpass a prior distance traveled by the patient with the medical cart 100.

[0027] In some embodiments, the visual display may include a set of LED lights 220, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the LED lights 220 may be arranged around the handle 130 and may be configured to illuminate based on the distance traveled by theAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1medical cart 100. For example, as the patient ambulates with the medical cart 100, the LED lights 220 may illuminate at equal distances until a predetermined distance is reached (e.g., a complete lap around a hospital ward, a fixed distance, etc.), at which point all the LED lights 220 may be illuminated. The LED lights 220 may then turn off as the predetermined distance is passed showing completion of a “lap” by the patient, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 5. As the patient continues to ambulate, the LED lights 220 may be configured to begin illuminating again until the predetermined distance is reached, at which point all of the LED lights 220 may be illuminated.

[0028] In some embodiments, the communication interface may include an audio interface. For example, the audio interface may be a speaker configured to generate an audio output. The speaker may be configured to notify the patient of various distance milestones that the patient has walked. For example, the speaker may be configured to notify the patient of their distance every 50 meters or any other suitable length appropriate for the patient’s recovery. In some embodiments, the speaker may be configured to play music as the patient pushes the medical cart 100.

[0029] In some embodiments, the audio interface may be coupled to or be included as a portion of (e.g., be integrated with) the support structure 120, base portion 140 or the console 110 of the medical cart 100. In some embodiments, the audio interface may be coupled to the medical cart 100 at other suitable locations. In some embodiments, the audio interface may be configured to receive Bluetooth signals from a wireless device (e.g., a smartphone) to play music selected by the patient.

[0030] In some embodiments, the communication interface may include a tactile interface, such as a vibration interface. The vibration interface may be configured to produce a tactile output by vibrating at least a portion of the handle 130 as the patient holds the handle 130 during movement of the medical cart 100. The vibration interface may be configured to vibrate the handle 130 after the medical cart has traveled a particular distance.

[0031] The communication interface may be powered by any suitable source. For example, the communication interface may be powered by a battery integrated directly into the handle 130 or by direct connection to a battery which operates the medical cart 100 including the console 110.

[0032] FIG. 3A schematically illustrates an example system 300, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 300 may include the medical cart 100 inAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1communication with a medical device 320. In some embodiments, the medical cart 100 may be wirelessly coupled to medical device 320. In some embodiments, the medical cart 100 may be directly coupled to the medical device 320 by, for example, a wired connection. The medical device 320 may be, for example, a mechanical circulatory support device, such as an intravascular blood pump, a heart pump, or an intracardiac pump device, an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, or any other suitable medical device. The medical cart 100 of the system 300 may include a communication interface 102 configured to output an indication of movement information associated with movement of the medical cart 100 across a surface. For instance, the communication interface 102 may be configured to display a representation of the distance traveled by the medical cart 100. The medical cart 100 may include a sensor 104 (e.g., the at least one sensor 160) coupled to the medical cart 100 or any component mounted thereon. The medical cart 100 may be configured to couple to a console 110 including a processor 114, a display 118, and storage 116. The display 118 may be coupled to or be integrated with the console 110. It should be appreciated that sensor 104 may include one or more sensors.

[0033] In some embodiments, the processor 114 may be configured to receive sensor data from sensor 104, and the sensor data may be stored by the console 110 in storage 116. The sensor 104 may include any suitable sensor configured to sense movement of the medical cart 100 as it travels over a surface. For example, the sensor 104 may include, but is not limited to, a tachometer, a velocity sensor, an accelerometer, an infrared (IR) sensor and / or an ultrasonic distance sensor. The sensor 104 may be coupled to the medical cart 100 at various locations, for example, depending on the type of sensor used. For example, sensor 104 may include an accelerometer coupled to the handle 130 and / or an IR sensor or ultrasonic distance sensor coupled to the base portion 140. In some embodiments, sensor 104 may include a tachometer coupled to the base portion 140, wherein the tachometer is configured to determine a number of rotations for at least one of the wheels 150a-d while the medical cart 100 moves across a surface.

[0034] The sensed data may be used to determine the movement information for the medical cart 100 in any suitable way. For example, when the sensor 104 is implemented as a velocity-based sensor, the sensed data may be used to directly determine a velocity of the medical cart 100 as movement information for the medical cart 100. In some embodiments, processor 114 may beAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1configured to determine a distance traveled by the medical cart 100 across a surface based, at least in part, on the velocity (e.g., an average velocity) of the medical cart 100 over a particular time period (e.g., a time period during which the medical cart is moving).

[0035] In another example, when the sensor 104 is implemented as a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) type sensor, GPS data may be used to determine the distance the medical cart 100 has moved across a surface using, at least in part, the location information received from the GPS type sensor.

[0036] In yet another example, when the sensor 104 is implemented as an encoder, sensed data from the encoder may be used, at least in part, to determine the distance the medical cart 100 has moved across a surface. For instance, the sensed data may include a number of rotations of a wheel (e.g., one or more of the plurality of wheels 150a-d) of the medical cart 100. Processor 114 may be configured to determine the distance traveled by the medical cart 100 based, at least in part, on the sensed data and one or more dimensions (e.g., radius, diameter, etc.) of the wheel(s) with which the encoder is associated.

[0037] In some embodiments, an example of which is shown in FIG. 5, the distance traveled by the medical cart 100 may be determined, at least in part, using signal devices 512a-c arranged in an environment of the medical cart 100. For example, a transceiver coupled to medical cart 100 may, when the medical cart 100 is in motion, receive signals from various signal devices 512a-c located throughout an environment (e.g., a hospital) where the medical cart 100 is moving (e.g., being pushed / pulled) across a surface. The processor 114 may be configured to determine the distance traveled by the medical cart 100 based, at least in part, on the known locations of the signal devices 512a-c in the environment and a timing of when the signals are received from the signal devices 512a-c. In some embodiments, the signal devices 512a-c may include radio frequency (RF) signal devices and / or devices configured to transmit WiFi signals. The processor 114 may use the strength of the RF signal and / or WiFi signal to determine the distance traveled by the medical cart 100. It should be appreciated any signal device configured to be uniquely identified by a transceiver onboard the medical cart 100 may additionally or alternatively be used.

[0038] In some embodiments, the medical cart 100 may be moved (e.g., pushed, pulled) around a portion of a hospital (e.g., a hospital ward) following a particular route. FIG. 5 show anAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1example route 520 in a hospital ward in which a medical cart 100 may be moved as a patient ambulates with the medical cart 100. As the medical cart 100 passes a signal emitting device 512a-c or alternatively, for example, a nurse’s station 510 which may include a signal emitting device, the sensor 104 may receive one or more signals from the signal emitting device(s). Processor 114 may be configured to use the received sensor data to determine that the patient walked by the signal emitting device 512a-c or the nurse’s station 510 along the route 520. Using this information, the processor 114 may be configured to determine that the patient moved the medical cart 100 a certain distance based on the received signals. In some embodiments, the medical cart 100 may include a signal transmitter and the nurse’s station 510 (or other location along the route 520 traversed by the medical cart 100) may include a receiver configured to receive a signal output from the transmitter of the medical cart 100 each time that the medical cart 100 passes by the nurse’s station 510 to determine that a complete lap of the route 520 has been completed.

[0039] The inventors have recognized and appreciated that, in some instances, the medical cart 100 may be moved across a surface when the patient is not ambulating with the medical cart. For instance, a healthcare worker may push the medical cart 100 across the surface when the patient is positioned in a hospital bed moving alongside the medical cart 100. In some embodiments, the movement information sensed by the at least one sensor 104 of the medical cart 100 may be used to determine a distance traveled by the medical cart only when is determined that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100. In some embodiments, medical cart 100 may be configured to determine whether the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100. In some implementations, handle 130 may include a touch sensor configured to sense when the patient is holding the handle 130. In some embodiments, handle 130 may include a button that, when depressed, indicates that the medical cart is being grasped by the patient. In some implementations, handle 130 may include an impedance sensor configured to determine that a patient is touching the handle 130. For instance, when the patient places one or both hands on the handle 130, the impedance sensor may detect the presence of the patient’s hand(s) on the handle 130 to determine that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100. In some embodiments, data associated with the medical device 320 may be used, at least in part, to determine that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100. For example, the processor 114 may be configured to determine basedAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1on one or more signals (e.g., a heart rate signal, a blood pressure signal, a pump pressure signal), etc. received from the medical device 320 or any other suitable measurement of the medical device 320 that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100. It can be appreciated that any physiological data associated with the patient available to the processor 114 may be used to determine that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, the medical device 320 may include one or more sensors coupled thereto, and sensor data from the one or more sensors may be used by processor 114 to determine, at least in part, whether the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100. For example, the medical device 320 may comprise a mechanical circulatory support device including a handle configured to adjust a position of the device. The handle may include one or more accelerometers (e.g., a three-axis accelerometer), which may be configured to sense movement of the patient. Sensor data sensed by the accelerometer(s) included in the handle of the mechanical circulatory support device may be provided to processor 114 to determine whether the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100 or whether the patient is moving (or being moved) without the patient ambulating.

[0041] FIG. 3B illustrates a first scenario 350 in which a patient 352 is positioned on a hospital bed. The patient 352 has a mechanical circulatory support device including an implanted heart pump coupled to a controller 356 via one or more cables 358 (e.g., a drive line, data transmission cable(s), etc.). The mechanical circulatory support device includes a handle 354 configured to enable repositioning of the implanted heart pump. Handle 354 may include one or more sensors (e.g., one or more accelerometers) configured to sense movement of the mechanical circulatory support device and patient 352 within which the heart pump is implanted. Controller 356 may include one or more processors (e.g., processor 114) configured to receive sensor data from the one or more sensors included in handle 354.

[0042] FIG. 3C illustrates a second scenario 360 in which a patient 352 is ambulating next to a medical cart (e.g., medical cart 100) on which a controller 356 is arranged. Similar to the first scenario 350, a patient 352 has a mechanical circulatory support device including an implanted heart pump coupled to the controller 356 via one or more cables 358 (e.g., a drive line, data transmission cable(s), etc.), and the mechanical circulatory support device includes a handle 354Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1configured to enable repositioning of the implanted heart pump. Handle 354 also includes one or more sensors (e.g., one or more accelerometers) configured to sense movement of the mechanical circulatory support device and patient 352 within which the heart pump is implanted. Controller 356 may include one or more processors (e.g., processor 114) configured to receive sensor data from the one or more sensors included in handle 354.

[0043] Processor 114 included in controller 356 may be configured to determine based, at least in part, on the data from the accelerometer(s) in the handle of the medical device whether the patient is moving while the medical cart 100 remains stationary as shown in the first scenario 350 or whether the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100 as shown in the second scenario 360. FIG. 3D shows sensor data received from one or more sensors included in a handle (e.g., handle 354) of a mechanical circulatory support device and pump operation data. The accelerometer sensor data from the handle of the device can be monitored to detect movement of the patient. As shown, a first event 372 in which patient motion is detected based on the sensor data may be interpreted as an event during which the patient moved but the medical cart remained stationary (e.g., the first scenario 350), whereas a second event 374 in which patient motion was detected based on the sensor data may be interpreted as an event during which the patient was ambulating with the medical cart (e.g., the second scenario 360). In this way, sensor data from the handle of the medical device may be used to supplement the data received from sensor 104 coupled to the medical cart 100 to provide a more complete tracking of the patient’s activity.

[0044] In some embodiments, processor 114 may be configured to output an indication of the distance traveled by the medical cart 100 via a communication interface 102. In some embodiments, communication interface 102 may be configured to display a representation of the movement information similar to the representation described above.

[0045] In some embodiments, a patient associated with the medical cart 100 may be wearing a device (e.g., a pedometer) that determines a number of steps the patient has taken over a particular time period. The wearable device may transmit the number of steps taken by the patient to the medical cart 100, and the processor 114 may be configured to determine the distance traveled by the medical cart 100 based, at least in part, on the number of steps taken by the patient.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1

[0046] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart 100, the distance traveled by the medical cart may be determined based on sensor data sensed from at least one sensor 104 associated with the medical cart 100, examples of which are described herein. The distance traveled by the medical cart 100 may be transmitted to the console (e.g., console 110), nurse’s station (e.g., nurse’s station 510), a database that stores the patient’s electronic health record or any combination thereof.

[0047] In some embodiments, movement information associated with the distance traveled by the medical cart 100 and data (e.g., physiological data for a patient) recorded by the console 110 associated with the medical device 320 may be segmented into time segments based on whether the patient was resting (e.g., the patient was being pushed in a wheelchair or bed as the medical cart is moved) or active (e.g., the patient was pushing / pulling the medical cart or walking around near the cart). In some embodiments, the time segments associated with the resting data and the time segments associated with the active data may be compared to determine one or more patient recovery metrics and / or a measure of the patient’s overall health. In some embodiments, the comparison may be performed by a computer processor included in the console 110 and / or the data may be compared by any other suitable processor located on or remote to the medical cart 100. In some embodiments, at least some of the data determined based on the comparison may be transmitted to a wireless device associated with a physician, nurse, or other healthcare provider monitoring the patient. At least some of the data may be used to perform diagnostics regarding the patient’s health and improvement over time as they continue to ambulate during recovery.

[0048] In some embodiments, tracking movement information associated with a medical cart while a patient is ambulating with the medical cart may be used to encourage patients to continue ambulating, for example, through friendly competition with other patients located in their hospital ward. For instance, the movement information and / or information determined based on the movement information, such as distance traveled across a surface may be edited to remove private health related information to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The HIPPA compliant information may be transmitted to a system (e.g., a monitor located near the nurse’s station) configured to display the distance traveled by each of the patients (e.g., in a hospital ward). In some embodiments, the medical cart 100 may be configured to alertAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1the patient of their position on a leaderboard containing the distance traveled by one or more patients in the hospital ward. Displaying the leaderboard may, for example, encourage / motivate patients to ambulate further as they recover. In some embodiments, the leaderboard may include only patients located in the same hospital ward. In some embodiments, the leaderboard may include patients at other locations in the hospital or at other hospitals. Such patients may be at a similar point in their recovery, which may provide more relevant benchmarks for patient ambulatory behavior.

[0049] FIG. 3E schematically illustrates an example system 310, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. System 310 may include processor 122 disposed in a handle 130 of medical cart 100. The medical cart 100 may be in communication with a medical device 320, as previously described in connection with system 300 shown in FIG. 3A. The processor 122 disposed in the handle 130 may perform all or a subset of functions as those described above in relation to processor 114 disposed in the console 110 of system 300.

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a process 400 for determining movement information associated with a medical cart, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Process 400 may begin in act 410, where sensor data is received from at least one sensor associated with the medical cart (e.g., sensor 104 arranged on the medical cart 100). For instance, the sensor data may correspond to data received from an accelerometer, velocity sensor, infrared sensor, ultrasonic distance sensor, etc. located onboard the medical cart. Process 400 may then proceed to act 412, where movement information describing movement of the medical cart across a surface may be determined based, at least in part, on the sensor data. In some embodiments, process 400 may then proceed to act 414, where a distance traveled by the medical cart may be determined using the movement information. The distance traveled by the medical cart may be determined by a processor (e.g., processor 114, 122) configured to receive the movement information and determine the distance traveled based on the received movement information.

[0051] Process 400 may then proceed to act 416, where an indication of the movement information may be output to a communication interface associated with the medical cart. The communication interface may include any of the above-described interfaces configured to provide an indication of the movement information. For instance, in some embodiments, theAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1communication interface may be configured to transmit the indication of the movement information to a database configured to store a health record for the patient. In some embodiments, the communication interface may be configured to transmit the movement information to a physician, nurse, or other healthcare provider associated with the patient. In some embodiments, the communication interface may be disposed within the handle or the console of the medical cart.

[0052] In some embodiments, the movement information may include one or more of the distance traveled by the medical cart, the velocity of the medical cart, or the acceleration of the medical cart. As described herein, in some embodiments, a determination of whether the medical cart is being moved by a patient associated with the medical cart may be made, and the movement information associated with the medical cart may be determined only when it is determined that the medical cart is being moved by the patient. In some embodiments, determining whether the medical cart is being moved by the patient may be determined when a signal is received showing that the patient is touching the handle of the medical cart or using any other suitable technique, examples of which are provided herein.

[0053] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a path of travel for a medical cart across a surface in a portion of a hospital, such as a hospital ward, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The medical cart 100 may be pushed / pulled by a patient around an environment (e.g., a hospital) along a route 520. The route 520 may be, for example a lap around a hospital ward beginning and ending at the patient’s room in the hospital ward. In some embodiments, the distance traveled by the medical cart along route 520 may be determined based, at least in part, on signal received at the medical cart from signal emitting devices 512a-c placed throughout the environment of the medical cart 100. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5, the signal emitting devices 512a may include devices located near a nurse’s station 510 or at other locations along route 520. The signal emitting devices may be configured to emit a signal unique to the particular signal emitting device, and the medical cart 100 may be configured to determine a distance traveled by the medical cart along route 520 based on the emitted signals as the medical cart 100 passes particular signal emitting devices. In some embodiments, one or more of the signal emitting devices 512a-c may be radio frequency (RF) emitting devices, and the medical cart 100 may include a transceiver configured to detect the RF signals emitted from the RF emitting devices.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1

[0054] In some embodiments, the medical cart 100 may include a signal emitting device configured to send a signal to a transceiver located, for example, in the nurse’s station 510. The transceiver may be configured to determine the number of times that the signal emitting device has passed the transceiver. A processor associated with the medical cart 100 may be configured to receive information from the transceiver in the nurse’s station 510 and determine a distance the medical cart 100 has traveled along route 520 based, at least in part, on the number of times the medical cart 100 has passed the transceiver in the nurse’s station.

[0055] Having thus described several aspects and embodiments of the technology set forth in the disclosure, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the technology described herein. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. In addition, any combination of two or more features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods described herein, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] The above-described embodiments can be implemented in any of numerous ways. One or more aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure involving the performance of processes or methods may utilize program instructions executable by a device (e.g., a computer, a processor, or other device) to perform, or control performance of, the processes or methods. In this respect, various inventive concepts may be embodied as a computer readable storage medium (or multiple computer readable storage media) (e.g., a computer memory, one or more floppy discs, compact discs, optical discs, magnetic tapes, flash memories, circuit configurations in Field ProgrammableAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1Gate Arrays or other semiconductor devices, or other tangible computer storage medium) encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more computers or other processors, perform methods that implement one or more of the various embodiments described above. The computer readable medium or media can be transportable, such that the program or programs stored thereon can be loaded onto one or more different computers or other processors to implement various ones of the aspects described above. In some embodiments, computer readable media may be non-transitory media.

[0057] The above-described embodiments of the present technology can be implemented in any of numerous ways. For example, the embodiments may be implemented using hardware, software or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the software code can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single computer or distributed among multiple computers. It should be appreciated that any component or collection of components that perform the functions described above can be generically considered as a controller that controls the above-described function. A controller can be implemented in numerous ways, such as with dedicated hardware, or with general purpose hardware (e.g., one or more processor) that is programmed using microcode or software to perform the functions recited above, and may be implemented in a combination of ways when the controller corresponds to multiple components of a system.

[0058] Further, it should be appreciated that a computer may be embodied in any of a number of forms, such as a rack-mounted computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer, as non-limiting examples. Additionally, a computer may be embedded in a device not generally regarded as a computer but with suitable processing capabilities, including a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smartphone or any other suitable portable or fixed electronic device.

[0059] Also, a computer may have one or more input and output devices. These devices can be used, among other things, to present a user interface. Examples of output devices that can be used to provide a user interface include printers or display screens for visual presentation of output and speakers or other sound generating devices for audible presentation of output. Examples of input devices that can be used for a user interface include keyboards, and pointing devices, suchAttorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1as mice, touch pads, and digitizing tablets. As another example, a computer may receive input information through speech recognition or in other audible formats.

[0060] Such computers may be interconnected by one or more networks in any suitable form, including a local area network or a wide area network, such as an enterprise network, and intelligent network (IN) or the Internet. Such networks may be based on any suitable technology and may operate according to any suitable protocol and may include wireless networks, wired networks or fiber optic networks.

[0061] Also, as described, some aspects may be embodied as one or more methods. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0062] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0063] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0064] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1

[0065] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0066] Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0067] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0068] Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1CLAIMS1. A medical cart comprising:a support structure configured to have a console of a medical device mounted thereon, wherein the support structure includes a base portion;a plurality of wheels coupled to the base portion; andat least one sensor coupled to the support structure and configured to sense movement information associated with movement of the medical cart across a surface.

2. The medical cart of claim 1 , further comprising a handle coupled to the support structure.

3. The medical cart of claim 2, wherein the handle is coupled to the support structure between the console and the base portion.

4. The medical cart of claim 3, wherein the support structure is oriented along a vertical axis between the base portion and the console, and the handle is arranged to at least partially surround the vertical axis.

5. The medical cart of claim 4, wherein the handle is arranged to surround the vertical axis.

6. The medical cart of claim 2, further comprising a processor configured to:receive data associated with the movement information;Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1determine based at least in part, on the data, a distance traveled by the medical cart across the surface; andoutput via a communication interface associated with the medical cart, an indication of the distance traveled by the medical cart.

7. The medical cart of claim 6, wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit the indication based on the distance traveled by the medical cart to a database configured to store health records.

8. The medical cart of claim 6, wherein the communication interface comprises a user interface configured to display the indication of the distance traveled by the medical cart.

9. The medical cart of claim 8, wherein the user interface comprises a visual display configured to display the indication of the distance traveled by the medical cart.

10. The medical cart of claim 9, wherein the visual display is configured to display a numerical value based on the distance traveled by the medical cart.

11. The medical cart of claim 10, wherein the visual display includes a plurality of lights, wherein the plurality of lights are arranged on the handle.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT112. The medical cart of claim 8, wherein the user interface comprises a tactile interface configured to produce a tactile output based on the distance traveled by the medical cart.

13. The medical cart of claim 12, wherein the tactile interface is disposed within the handle.

14. The medical cart of claim 8, wherein the user interface comprises an audio interface, configured to produce an audio output based on distance traveled by the medical cart.

15. The medical cart of claim 6, wherein the processor is disposed within the handle.

16. The medical cart of claim 6, wherein the processor is disposed within the console.

17. The medical cart of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:determine whether a patient is ambulating with the medical cart,wherein determining the distance traveled by the medical cart across the surface based on the data comprises determining the distance only when it is determined that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart.

18. The medical cart of claim 17, further comprising an impedance sensor disposed on the handle, wherein determining whether the patient is ambulating is based, at least in part, on a signal received from the impedance sensor.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT119. The medical cart of claim 17, wherein determining whether the patient is ambulating is based, at least in part, on a signal received from a sensor coupled to a portion of the medical device separate from the medical cart.

20. The medical cart of claim 19, wherein the sensor coupled to a portion of the medical device separate from the medical cart comprises an accelerometer coupled to a handle of a mechanical circulatory support device.

21. The medical cart of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged on the handle.

22. The medical cart of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is arranged on the base portion.

23. The medical cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a distance sensor and the movement information includes a distance traveled by the medical cart across the surface sensed by the distance sensor.

24. The medical cart of claim 23, wherein the distance sensor is an ultrasonic distance sensor.

25. The medical cart of claim 23, wherein the distance sensor is an infrared sensor.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT126. The medical cart of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer and the movement information includes an acceleration of the medical cart sensed by the accelerometer.

27. The medical cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a tachometer and the movement information includes a number of rotations of the plurality of wheels of the medical cart across the surface sensed by the tachometer.

28. The medical cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a velocity sensor and the movement information includes a velocity of the medical cart sensed by the velocity sensor.

29. The medical cart of claim 1, wherein the console includes a controller configured to control operation of the medical device implanted in a patient.

30. The medical cart of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to:receive physiological information associated with a patient within which the medical device is implanted;determine, based at least in part on the physiological information, whether the patient is ambulating with the medical cart; anddetermine a distance traveled by the medical cart when it is determined that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT131. The medical cart of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to receive data associated with the sensed movement information by the at least one sensor.

32. The medical cart of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to output the distance traveled to a communication interface associated with the medical cart.

33. The medical cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a transceiver configured to receive signals from one or more signal devices in an environment of the medical cart, wherein the movement information is determined based, at least in part, on the received signals.

34. A method comprising:receiving sensor data from at least one sensor arranged on a medical cart; determining, by a processor, movement information associated with movement of the medical cart across a surface based on the sensor data; andoutputting an indication of the movement information by the medical cart to a communication interface associated with the medical cart.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the movement information includes at least one of a distance traveled by the medical cart, a velocity of the medical cart or an acceleration of the medical cart.Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT136. The method of claim 34, wherein the medical cart is associated with a patient and wherein the method further comprising: transmitting, via the communication interface, the indication of the movement information to a database configured to store a health record for the patient.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the medical cart includes a transceiver and wherein the method further comprises:receiving, by the transceiver, signals from one or more signal devices in an environment of the medical cart; anddetermining the movement information based on the received signals.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising:determining whether the medical cart is being pushed by a patient associated with the medical cart; andin response to determining that the medical cart is being pushed by the patient, determining the movement information.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein determining whether the medical cart is being pushed by the patient comprises receiving a signal from an impedance sensor that the patient is touching a handle of the medical cart.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the medical cart includes a console associated with a medical device implanted in a patient and wherein the method further comprises:Attorney Docket No. ABD0354WOPCT1receiving physiological information associated with the patient with which the medical device is implanted;determining, based at least in part on the physiological information, whether the patient is ambulating with the medical cart; anddetermining a distance traveled by the medical cart when it is determined that the patient is ambulating with the medical cart.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising outputting the distance traveled to the communication interface.

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