Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-25
2004-05-18
Sax, Steven (Department: 2174)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Touch panel
C345S215000, C422S044000, C604S004010, C604S005010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06738052
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a device for operating technical medical apparatus, especially dialysis apparatus, with a display screen and a touch screen surface and with means for displaying and/or altering characteristic treatment data. This invention also concerns a method of operating technical medical apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Display screen units with touch screen surfaces for operation of technical medical apparatus are known. In general, such operating units are used to inquire about actual patient values or machine parameters by touching an appropriate field on the touch screen surface or to enter corresponding setpoints.
European Patent No. 623,357 describes a device and a method of dialysis where the interface between the apparatus and the user is implemented in the form of such a touch screen monitor. The monitor serves to query and enter characteristic dialysis parameters, such as pumping speed, ultrafiltration rate or the conductivity of the dialysate. To enter a setpoint, the operator must touch a field on the monitor designated with the name of the parameter accordingly, ultimately arriving at a screen view where a corresponding value or a profile can be defined. A generic device and a generic method are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,770, where the dialysis parameters of interest are likewise selected with the help of a touch screen monitor. After the selection is made, a desired setpoint can be assigned to the parameters, with the selection of parameters as well as the inputting of values taking place by touching the surface accordingly. Because of the multitude of variable dialysis parameters, a display screen view contains a correspondingly large number of selectable fields, which makes rapid and reliable operation of the apparatus difficult. Working without mistakes is also impaired by the fact that the fields are all the same size and can be differentiated only on the basis of their designation. It is thus possible to touch the wrong fields on the touch screen surface, especially when working under time pressure, and thus, for example, enter a parameter setpoint incorrectly, which can have considerable consequences in terms of risk for the patient during treatment.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to simplify the handling of technical medical apparatus and reduce the probability of operating errors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Starting from a generic device and a generic method, the object of the invention is achieved by a device for operating a technical medical apparatus comprising a display screen and a touch screen surface and a first means for displaying and/or altering characteristic treatment data. In addition, a second means are provided for display of symbols characteristic of the components of the apparatus, where the first means can be controlled by touching the symbols on the touch screen surface. This makes it possible to largely rule out any confusion of symbols due to inadequate differentiation of the fields of the touch screen surface to be touched. Instead, by simply touching the respective symbol of the component to be influenced, the display of the corresponding data, e.g., in a control field, is activated. Such a graphical user surface permits safe and reliable use of a dialysis machine, for example. The medical personnel will very quickly become familiar with the scope of the device according to this invention due to these characteristic symbols, thus reducing the familiarization period and also increasing reliability in operation.
It is especially advantageous if at least one complete dialysis cycle can be displayed with the symbols for the components contained in the cycle. Either the dialysis fluid cycle or the blood cycle or both may be displayed, with the components contained therein, such as pumps, cut-off devices, sensors or the dialysis machine itself can be represented by means of characteristic symbols. Displaying the entire cycle facilitates the user's orientation in selecting one or more components of the dialysis cycle. This minimizes the probability of confusing different pumps, cut-off devices or heating devices, for example. It is also possible that only a portion of the components of a medical technical apparatus, in particular a dialysis apparatus or a dialysis circulatory system, can be depicted. In this context, two or even more device components of any kind, as well as their functional interrelationship, can be depicted. For example, it is conceivable that the dialyzer and the blood pump, as well as the hose line connecting the two components can be indicated using the second means. The selection of the combinations of components or segments to be indicated from the respective entire installation can be made according to the basic settings of the apparatus, or they can be set by the operator according to need. By depicting the functional connections of the interrelationships, the mode of operation for these components is made easier.
It is also possible that only portion of the components of a medical technical apparatus, in particular a dialysis apparatus or a dialysis circulatory system, can be depicted. In this context, two or even more device components of any kind, as well as their functional interrelationship, can be depicted. For example, it is conceivable that the dialyzer and the blood pump, as well as the hose line connecting the two components can be indicated using the second means. The selection of the combinations of components or segments to be indicated from the respective entire installation can be made according to the basic settings of the apparatus, or they can be set by the operator according to need. By depicting the functional connections of the interrelationships, the mode of operation for these components is made easier.
In another embodiment of this invention, the first and second means are designed so that the symbols can be displayed simultaneously and the respective treatment data can be displayed and/or altered. This makes it possible to avoid accidentally changing a setpoint or entering an actual value because the symbol of the component itself and the parameter to be changed are always displayed simultaneously.
The treatment data that can be displayed and/or changed by the first means may include the designation as well as setpoints and/or actual values and/or limit values of the instrument parameters and/or patient parameters. Whereas in a monitoring mode, essentially the actual values of the characteristic data of the components are queried, but in another operating mode of the device according to this invention, specific changes can be made in setpoints. This makes it possible to define not only individual setpoints but also a time dependence of the setpoints and thus a setpoint profile. Likewise, it is possible to set limit values for the characteristic data which, if maintained, will reliably prevent a hazardous operating state. If the limit values are reached, this may be signaled visually or acoustically or it may lead to a shutdown of the apparatus or cause cut-off devices to close. The data that can be displayed and/or changed by the first means may also include other parameters and values concerning, for example, the course of the dialysis treatment so far or the storable program data from preceding treatments of various patients.
It is especially advantageous if the means for changing the treatment data and the means for displaying the treatment data can be controlled simultaneously by touching the symbols. This generates control surfaces, for example, which display the current actual values of the corresponding parameters simultaneously and also include, for example, fields marked with arrows for corresponding changes in setpoints. Changing the data includes not only changing the setpoint but also complete startup or shutdown of a component or a function unit of the apparatus, for example.
It is likewise possible for the treatment data to be displayed first after touching the characteristic symbols f
Manke Joachim
Schumacher Gerhard
Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
Joseph Thomas J
Kenyon & Kenyon
Sax Steven
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