Medical device information system

Abstract

In general, the invention is directed to management of information from a plurality of emergency medical devices, such as automated external defibrillators, and associated docking stations. The medical devices and docking stations may communicate with one another and with a remote unit. The managed information includes information pertaining to authorized access and maintenance, inspection indications and inspection certifications. In general, an authorized user can access the emergency medical device without activating alarms that would accompany an emergency. The authorized user can further use the user input interface to enter an inspection certification, which records the inspection, the maintenance performed, the date the device is returned to service, and so forth.

1 . A device comprising:
 a docking element configured to retain an emergency medical device;   a sensor element configured to detect removal of the emergency medical device from the docking element;   a user input interface configured to receive an authorization from a person proximate to the device; and   a processor configured to communicate an emergency message to a remote unit when the removal of the emergency medical device from the docking element is unaccompanied by the authorization, and further configured to communicate an administrative message to the remote unit when the removal of the emergency medical device from the docking element is accompanied by the authorization.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a tracking element configured to generate a tracking signal as a function of the position of the emergency medical device with respect to the device. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication module configured to activate the emergency medical device when the emergency medical device is removed from the docking element. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor element is further configured to detect replacement of the emergency medical device in the docking element. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured to communicate an interrogation for device status information upon detection of the replacement of the emergency medical device in the docking element. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the emergency medical device is in a condition for return to service based upon the device status information. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to generate an inspection indication based upon the device status information, the inspection indication requesting a physical inspection for the emergency medical device. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein, in response to replacement of the emergency medical device in the docking element subsequent to removal of the emergency medical device from the docking element unaccompanied by the authorization, the processor is further configured to establish communication with a remote unit via a communication network, and communicate an inspection indication to the remote unit, the inspection indication requesting a physical inspection for the emergency medical device. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to validate the authorization. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the emergency medical device comprises an external defibrillator. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the user input interface is further configured to receive an inspection certification, and wherein the processor is further configured to communicate the inspection certification to the remote unit. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the inspection certification comprises an identification code that identifies an inspector of the emergency medical device. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to activate an alarm in response to removal of the emergency medical device from the docking element, and subsequently deactivate the alarm in response to the user input interface receiving the authorization.