Modular medical care system

Abstract

A modular medical care system, housing a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, includes a plurality of different modules including: (a) a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient; and (b) a patient treatment module for delivering treatment to the patient. A processor processes signals derived from the plurality of different modules. A communication interface provides bidirectional communication between the processor and the plurality of different modules via a network.

1 . A modular medical care system housing a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, comprising: 
 a plurality of different modules including: 
 (a) a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient; and  
 (b) a patient treatment module for delivering treatment to the patient;  
   a processor for processing signals derived from said plurality of different modules; and    a communication interface providing bidirectional communication between said processor and said plurality of different modules via a network.    
   
   
       2 . A modular medical system housing a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, comprising: 
 a plurality of different modules including at least two of, 
 (a) a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient,  
 (b) a module supporting delivery of anesthesia to a patient,  
 (c) a module supporting ventilation of a patient and  
 (d) a module supporting infusion pump control;  
   a processor for processing signals derived from said plurality of different modules; and    a communication interface providing bidirectional communication between said processor and said plurality of different modules via a network.    
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  including a display generator for initiating generation of data representing at least one composite user interface image including information derived from said plurality of different modules.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said display generator initiates generation of data representing at least one composite user interface image for display on a first reproduction device and a second different reproduction device.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said display generator initiates generation of data representing different first and second user interface images for display on said first reproduction device and second different reproduction device respectively.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said second user interface representative data represents larger image than said the image for said first reproduction device.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein individual modules of said plurality of different modules may be at least one of, (a) plugged into said modular medical system housing and (b) removed from said modular medical system housing, whilst said plurality of different modules are powered on.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  including a display generator for adaptively generating data representing a composite user interface image including information derived from modules of said plurality of different modules plugged into said housing in response to information identifying said plurality of different modules plugged into said housing.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said display generator adaptively generates data representing a composite user interface image removing information derived from a particular module removed from said housing in response to information identifying said particular module is removed from said housing.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein individual modules of said plurality of different modules may be interchangeably plugged into different docking locations of said housing.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said processor derives an alert signal for communication to a user based on signals derived from said plurality of different modules.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said system manages power on and power down of said plurality of different modules based on predetermined rules.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said system manages re-charging of batteries of said plurality of different modules and initiates generation of data representing an image for display to a user showing battery charging condition of said plurality of different modules.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said system manages at least one of, (a) re-charging of batteries of said plurality of different modules and initiates generation of data representing an image for display to a user showing battery charging condition of said plurality of different modules, (b) transition from battery power to housing power upon docking of a module with said housing and (c) generation of data representing an image for display to a user showing error conditions of said plurality of different modules.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  including: 
 a display generator for generating data representing a patient anatomical image and wherein    said communication interface provides substantial real time bidirectional communication between said processor and display generator.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said communication interface supports communication using wireless technologies including at least one of, (a) WLAN 802.11b standard compatible communication, (b) 802.11a standard compatible communication, (c) 802.11g standard compatible communication, (d) Bluetooth 802.15 standard compatible communication, and (e) GSM/GPRS standard compatible communication.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said communication interface supports wireless communication between said second module and said processor for processing signals derived from said plurality of different modules enabling at least one of, (a) bidirectional communication with said second module when undocked and remote from said housing and (b) control of said second module by said processor when undocked and remote from said housing.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said processor manages access to features of one of said plurality of different modules based on predetermined user authorization information.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said processor prioritizes alert signals associated with corresponding individual modules of said plurality of different modules.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1  including a display generator for generating data representing at least one display image presenting alert signals associated with corresponding individual modules of all of said plurality of different modules.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1  wherein individual modules of said plurality of different modules are removable from said modular medical system housing in response to user activation of a single mechanical release mechanism disconnecting physical connection of both signals and power passing between an individual module and said modular medical system housing.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1  including a display generator for generating data representing at least one display image prompting a user with tasks to be performed using said plurality of different modules in delivering a particular therapy to a patient.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of different modules includes one or more of, (a) an incubator, (b) a defibrillator, (c) a warming device, (d) a diagnostic imaging device, (e) a photo-therapy device, (f) a fluid input support device, (g) a fluid output support device, (h) a heart—lung support device, (i) a blood gas monitor, (j) a controllable implanted therapy device, (k) a controllable surgical table and weighing scale.  
   
   
       24 . A modular medical system housing a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, comprising: 
 a plurality of different modules including, 
 a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient and a second module supporting at least one of,  
 (a) delivery of anesthesia to a patient,  
 (b) ventilation of a patient and  
 (c) infusion pump control;  
   a processor for processing signals derived from said plurality of different modules; and    a communication interface providing bidirectional communication between said processor and said plurality of different modules and with a network.    
   
   
       25 . A modular medical system housing a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, comprising: 
 a plurality of different modules including, 
 a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient and a second module supporting at least one of,  
 (a) delivery of anesthesia to a patient,  
 (b) ventilation of a patient and  
 (c) infusion pump control;  
   a processor for processing signals derived from said patient monitoring module to configure said second module; and    a communication interface providing bidirectional communication between said processor and said plurality of different modules and with a network.    
   
   
       26 . A modular medical system incorporating a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, comprising: 
 a housing for adaptively accommodating one or more of a plurality of different modules including, 
 (a) a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient,  
 (b) a module supporting delivery of anesthesia to a patient,  
 (c) a module supporting ventilation of a patient and  
 (d) a module supporting infusion pump control;  
   a processor for processing signals derived from said plurality of different modules; and    a communication interface providing bidirectional communication between said processor and said plurality of different modules and with a network.    
   
   
       27 . A transportable breathing support equipment system, comprising: 
 a device for providing a flow of breathable gas;    a ventilator using said flow of breathable gas to support patient breathing during transportation;    at least one battery for supplying power to said device and said ventilator during transportation; and    a docking port for connecting said breathing support equipment system to a plurality of different modules including at least one of, 
 (a) a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient, and a second module supporting,  
 (b) a module supporting delivery of anesthesia to a patient, and  
 (c) a module supporting infusion pump control.  
   
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26  including 
 a processor for processing signals derived from said patient monitoring module, and    a communication interface providing bidirectional communication between said processor and said plurality of different modules and with a network.    
   
   
       29 . A method for use by a modular medical system housing a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, comprising the activities of: 
 providing power to a plurality of different modules including at least two of, 
 (a) a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient,  
 (b) a module supporting delivery of anesthesia to a patient,  
 (c) a module supporting ventilation of a patient and  
 (d) a module supporting infusion pump control;  
   processing signals derived from said plurality of different modules; and    bidirectionally communicating between said processor and said plurality of different modules and with a network.