System, device and process for remotely controlling a medical device

Abstract

A system for controlling medical devices, wherein this system can comprise a device having at least one wireless or cellular based communication module. The module can be in the form of a GPRS module associated with a SIM card, or a CDMA module. The SIM card can be adapted such that it contains additional memory for storing a program for controlling the device or the system. Multiple cellular communication modules can also be installed in this system. Additional communication modules such as wireless modules including but not limited to Bluetooth, IRDA, RF, or any other wireless module can also be incorporated into the system. Wired modules can also be used, for example these wired modules can be RS-232 modules, USB, Serial adapters, phone and fax modem.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for turning a PAP machine into an adjustable PAP machine comprising the following steps:
 a) coupling a device in series to a fluid output of the PAP machine such that the device receives fluid input from the PAP machine;   b) determining a fluid pressure rate of fluid flow to an output of the device;   c) adjusting a valve in the device to change an output pressure sent from the device; and   d) calling via a cellular telephone protocol a remote device to communicate with that remote device.   
     
     
         2 . The process as in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of monitoring a set of medical statistics on a patient. 
     
     
         3 . The process as in  claim 2 , further comprising the step of controlling said valve to control the output pressure from the device via commands sent from said remote device over said cellular telephone protocol. 
     
     
         4 . The process as in  claim 2 , further comprising the step of signaling an alarm and dialing via at least one additional cellular telephone protocol a monitoring service to provide additional service to a patient. 
     
     
         5 . A process for communicating information between a PAP machine and a data storage device comprising:
 a) storing individual parameters configured to control the PAP machine in a memory;   b) communicating said parameters from said memory to said data storage device;   c) regulating an output pressure from said PAP machine to convert said PAP machine into an auto-adjustable PAP machine.   
     
     
         6 . The process as in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of communicating parameters from said data storage device to said memory configured to control said PAP machine. 
     
     
         7 . The process as in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of communicating with an outside emergency system to warn authorities that a patient is in distress if a patient's vital statistics fall outside of said individual parameters. 
     
     
         8 . The process as in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of communicating a location of a patient to the outside emergency system. 
     
     
         9 . The process as in  claim 8 , wherein said step of communicating a location of a patient comprises communicating a location by communicating GPS coordinates. 
     
     
         10 . The process as in  claim 7 , wherein said step of communicating said individual parameters from said memory to said data storage device uses a first communication protocol and said step of communicating with an outside emergency system uses a second communication protocol. 
     
     
         11 . The process as in  claim 6 , wherein said step of communicating parameters from said data storage device to said memory comprises automatically communicating at least one new parameter from said data storage device to said memory. 
     
     
         12 . The process as in  claim 6 , wherein said step of communicating parameters from said data storage device comprises manually updating parameters with said data storage device and then forwarding said updated parameters to said memory for controlling the PAP machine. 
     
     
         13 . The process as in  claim 6 , wherein said data storage device is a remote data storage device and said step of communicating parameters comprises communicating wirelessly between said remote data storage device and said memory. 
     
     
         14 . The process as in  claim 6 , wherein said data storage device is a remote data storage device and said step of communicating parameters comprises communicating via a network protocol between said remote data storage device and said memory. 
     
     
         15 . The process as in  claim 6 , wherein said data storage device is a remote data storage device and said step of communicating parameters comprises communicating via a Ethernet between said remote data storage device and said memory. 
     
     
         16 . The process as in  claim 6 , wherein said data storage device is a remote data storage device and said step of communicating parameters comprises communicating via a Bluetooth between said remote data storage device and said memory. 
     
     
         17 . The process as in  claim 6 , wherein said step of regulating an output pressure from said PAP machine comprises using a processor to compare readings of a patient with said parameters stored in said memory. 
     
     
         18 . The process as in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of taking readings from a patient relating to fluid air flow in the PAP machine. 
     
     
         19 . The process as in  claim 18 , wherein said step of taking readings from a patient comprises using a flow meter to take readings of fluid flow in the PAP machine. 
     
     
         20 . The process as in  claim 5 , wherein said step of regulating an output pressure comprises using said individual parameters to control an electro-mechanical valve. 
     
     
         21 . The process as in  claim 20 , wherein said electro-mechanical valve operates as a bleeder valve. 
     
     
         22 . The process as in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of communicating with at least one other medical device comprising at least one of a CPAP machine, a BiPAP machine, a ventilator, a concentrator, a blood-pressure machine, a Pulse Oximeter, a multifunction machine, or a Glucometer. 
     
     
         23 . The process as in  claim 5 , wherein said parameters comprise at least one of the following individual parameters: blood pressure, temperature, oxygen levels, pulse, and EKG data. 
     
     
         24 . The process as in  claim 5 , wherein said step of communicating comprises communicating via a wireless module comprising at least one of a CDMA module or a GPRS module. 
     
     
         25 . A process for controlling or monitoring a medical device comprising:
 a) storing at least one parameter for the device within a memory;   b) providing at least one second device remote from the medical device;   c) updating said at least one parameter for the medical device on said at least one second device; and   d) communicating said at least one parameter from said at least one second device to said medical device.   
     
     
         26 . The process as in  claim 25 , wherein said step of storing said at least one parameter includes storing an air pressure parameter for a PAP machine. 
     
     
         27 . The process as in  claim 26 , further comprising reporting said air pressure parameter from said medical device to said at least one second device. 
     
     
         28 . The process as in  claim 25 , wherein said step of communicating said at least one parameter occurs via wireless communication. 
     
     
         29 . The process as in  claim 25 , wherein said step of communicating said at least one parameter occurs via wired communication. 
     
     
         30 . The process as in  claim 25 , wherein said at least one second device is at least one of a server, a telephone, a cell phone, and a personal computer. 
     
     
         31 . The process as in  claim 25 , wherein said at least one second device communicates through the internet to said medical device. 
     
     
         32 . The process as in  claim 25 , further comprising the step of sending at least one alarm to at least one remote user relating to a condition of a user using the medical device. 
     
     
         33 . The process as in  claim 32 , wherein said step of sending at least one alarm comprises sending a location of the medical device. 
     
     
         34 . The process as in  claim 31 , wherein said step of sending at least one alarm comprises sending information to an emergency authority to notify that a patient monitored by the medical device has a condition that falls outside of a predetermined range. 
     
     
         35 . The process as in  claim 25 , further comprising the step of identifying the medical device via at least one of the following characteristics: machine ID, cellphone number, or patient name. 
     
     
         36 . A process for remotely controlling a PAP machine comprising:
 a) recording a plurality of parameters relating to the PAP machine in a memory;   b) transmitting parameters relating to the PAP machine;   c) receiving updated parameters related to the PAP machine; and   d) changing an air pressure provided by the PAP machine based upon said parameters.   
     
     
         37 . The process as in  claim 36 , wherein said plurality of parameters comprises at least one parameter relating to air pressure provided by the PAP machine. 
     
     
         38 . The process as in  claim 36 , wherein said plurality of parameters comprises at least one of a set of blood pressure data, a set of oxygen data, a set of temperature data, a set of pulse data, a set of EKG data, that is periodically updated wherein this stream of data is sent such that each vital sign is updated separately at five second intervals. 
     
     
         39 . The process as in  claim 36 , wherein said plurality of parameters comprises at least one of a range for a standard timed inspiratory positive airway pressure (S/T IPAP), a range for a standard timed expiratory positive airway pressure, or (S/T EPAP), a range for a S/T or standard timed breath rate, such as breaths per minute, and the range for a S/T or standard timed inspiratory.