U.S. patent application number 10/948703 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for user interface for an extracorporeal blood treatment machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to GAMBRO LUNDIA AB.. Invention is credited to Ferrarini, Lorenza, Pelletier, Danielle, Zaccarelli, Massimo.
Application Number | 20050070837 10/948703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34385824 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050070837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferrarini, Lorenza ; et
al. |
March 31, 2005 |
User interface for an extracorporeal blood treatment machine
Abstract
A user interface for a machine for extracorporeal blood
treatment comprises a touch screen and a controller programmed to
display on a screen (16) a display in which two distinct areas are
arranged, one of which (161) exhibits a series of touch keys (17).
Activation of any one touch key (17) causes visualization of an
image in a second area (162) of the screen. The images are
displayed alternatively and are at least partly different one from
another. Each touch key (17) is associated to an instruction, or to
a group of instructions, all concerned with readying the machine
for use. Each image is a pictograph of a configuration of the
machine, correlated with an instruction associated to the touch key
(17) selected. The operator is aided in making the machine ready
for treatment.
Inventors: |
Ferrarini, Lorenza;
(Medolla, IT) ; Pelletier, Danielle; (Sainte-Foy
Les Lyon, FR) ; Zaccarelli, Massimo; (San Felice Sul
Panaro, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow,
Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.
1300 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3315
US
|
Assignee: |
GAMBRO LUNDIA AB.
|
Family ID: |
34385824 |
Appl. No.: |
10/948703 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60532566 |
Dec 29, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/5.01 ;
604/4.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 1/14 20130101; A61M
1/36 20130101; A61M 1/1601 20140204; G16H 20/17 20180101; A61M
2205/505 20130101; A61M 2205/12 20130101; G16H 40/63 20180101; A61M
1/3626 20130101; G06F 3/04886 20130101; A61M 1/16 20130101; A61M
1/3672 20130101; G06F 3/04847 20130101; A61M 1/367 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/005.01 ;
604/004.01 |
International
Class: |
A61M 037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 2003 |
IT |
MO2003A000259 |
Claims
1. A user interface for an extracorporeal blood treatment machine,
which user interface comprises: at least one touch screen; at least
one memory containing at least two images; and at least a
controller programmed for: displaying on a screen of the touch
screen at least one display including at least two distinct areas,
a first area of the two distinct areas exhibiting at least two
touch keys; detecting activation of the at least two touch keys;
displaying in a second area of the at least two areas of the at
least one display, a first of the at least two images, when a first
of at the least two touch keys is activated; displaying in the
second area of the at least two areas of the at least one display,
a second of the at least two images, when a second of the at least
two touch keys is activated.
2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is
programmed to display the at least two images alternatively and not
contemporaneously on the second area of the at least one
display.
3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the at least two images
are at least partially different one from another.
4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises a
plurality of data relating to the machine, and wherein the
controller is programmed to display the data on the first area of
the at least one display, each item of the data being displayed in
a visually-associated position to a touch key of the at least two
touch keys.
5. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the controller is
programmed to display contemporaneously the plurality of data on
the first area of the at least one display.
6. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the controller is
programmed to keep the plurality of data displayed on screen
following activation of any one of the at least two touch keys.
7. The user interface of claim 4, wherein: the plurality of data
comprises operating instructions for readying the machine for use;
the at least two images are pictographs which represent
configurations of the machine correlated to the operating
instructions.
8. The user interface of claim 7, wherein the controller is
programmed to visually modify at least a part of the at least one
display in response to a performing of at least one of the
operating instructions.
9. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the controller is
programmed not to allow any change of contents of the plurality of
data via the touch screen on the part of an operator.
10. The user interface of claim 1, wherein a resolution of the
second area of the display is at least 80 pixels per inch.
11. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the second area of the
display is without areas predisposed for data input, at least in
areas containing the at least two images.
12. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the controller is
programmed to visually modify a part of the first area by effect of
an activation of any one of the at least two touch keys, the part
being visually associated to the activated touch key.
13. The user interface of claim 1, wherein each of the images
comprises at least one pictograph, which at least one pictograph
represents the machine for extracorporeal blood treatment and at
least a part of a disposable set which is associated during machine
operation to the machine.
14. A controller for a user interface as in claim 1.
15. A machine for extracorporeal blood treatment, comprising: at
least one blood pump; at least one housing zone for receiving at
least one extracorporeal blood circuit in a position wherein the at
least one extracorporeal blood circuit is operatively associated
with the blood pump; at least a machine control unit; at least one
user interface for dialogue between an operator and the control
unit, said at least one user interface being made according to
claim 1.
16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the machine is predisposed to
perform at least one of following extracorporeal treatments:
hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, therapeutic plasma exchange;
hemoperfusion; hemodialysis; pure ultrafiltration.
17. A dialysis machine comprising a user interface as in claim
1.
18. A process for assisting an operator in readying a machine for
extracorporeal blood treatment, wherein the machine comprises at
least one user interface provided with a touch screen, the process
comprising stages of: displaying on a screen of the touch screen at
least one display in which at least two distinct areas are
described, a first area of the at least two areas exhibiting at
least two touch keys, each of which at least two touch keys is
associated to at least one operational instruction for readying the
machine; touching one of the at least two touch keys located in the
first area in order to make a selection of at least one operating
instruction associated to the one of the at least two touch keys;
displaying, in response to the selection, a pictograph on a second
area of the two areas of the display, the pictograph depicting a
configuration of the machine correlated to the at least one
operating instruction.
19. The process of claim 18, comprising stages of: displaying
pictographs which are at least partly different one from another,
alternately and not contemporaneously on the second area of the
display, in accordance with a selected touch key; contemporaneously
displaying, in the first area of the display, a plurality of the
operating instructions, and keeping the operating instructions
on-screen following activation of a touch key of the touch
keys.
20. The process of claim 18, wherein an operator readying the
machine cannot modify, via the touch screen, contents of the
operating instructions displayed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a user interface for a machine for
extracorporeal blood treatment, as well as to a machine for
extracorporeal blood treatment comprising the user interface.
[0002] Specifically, though not exclusively, the invention is
usefully applied in the field of dialysis machines, such as for
example machines for intensive treatment for acute renal
failure.
[0003] In particular the invention relates to a user interface
according to the preamble of the first claim.
[0004] Document WO 98/35747 teaches a dialysis machine, suitable
for carrying out periodical dialysis treatments--including domestic
treatment--which is provided with a user interface such as the one
described in the preamble of the first claim, in which the user
interface has a programmed controller that displays various layouts
on a touch-screen monitor, in at least one of which layouts (FIG.
5) the screen is sub-divided into various areas. A first of these
areas exhibits touch keys, each of which is associated to a
parameter relating to the dialysis treatment; while in a second of
the areas, following activation of any one of the touch keys in the
first area, two further touch keys are displayed, each in the form
of an arrow, through which the parameter selected by the first
touch key (in the first area) can be modified (up or down).
[0005] In the second screen area at first a further touch key is
displayed, dedicated in particular to the change of the drip
chamber level in the extracorporeal circuit. Selection of this
further touch key brings up an illustration of the drip chamber
on-screen, and the user can indicate on the illustration the level
present in the chamber at the time.
[0006] The touch screen further comprises other touch keys having
various functions, such as for example, one key for returning to
the previous display, another for viewing other data, another still
for signalling problems, and so on.
[0007] The touch screen further comprises at least one other
display (FIG. 4) with various touch keys; by activating this screen
other user-processor dialog windows are opened.
[0008] User interfaces in dialysis machines generally have the
function of setting up a dialog between the processor of the
machine and the user or operator using the machine, for example in
order to regulate machine operation or for setting desired
treatment parameters, such as, for example, blood pump flow rate,
the flow rate and temperature of the dialysis fluid, treatment
times, and so on.
[0009] One of the aspects of user interfaces in known-type dialysis
machines (for example WO 98/35747) which is liable to improvement
is that relating to interaction between the user or operator and
the machine during preparation procedures prior to the actual
treatment.
[0010] Normally these readying procedures comprise at least the
mounting of the disposable set onto the machine. The disposable set
usually comprises at least the extracorporeal blood circuit,
destined in use to be connected up to a vascular access of the
patient about to undergo treatment, and the blood treatment unit,
generally comprising a filtration unit (for example a
dialyzer).
[0011] Treatment preparation procedures usually further comprise at
least one priming stage for the circuit and the blood treatment
unit, as well as a connection stage of the extracorporeal circuit
to the vascular access of the patient.
[0012] These preparation procedures can be very long, complicated
and laborious, especially with intensive therapy dialysis machines,
where the machine operator is often not specialised in the use of
these apparatus, and where the time factor is critical as the
patient is often in quite a serious condition and needs as fast an
intervention as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An aim of the present invention is to provide a user
interface which is able to improve setting-up time for the readying
of an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment.
[0014] A further aim of the invention is to provide a machine for
extracorporeal blood treatment in which the preliminary operations
in preparation for a correct functioning of the machine are easy to
do and immediate on the part of the user, even where the latter is
not specialised.
[0015] An advantage of the invention is that it makes rapid
learning possible, as well as rapid execution even by a non-expert
user, of the procedural steps necessary for preparation of the
machine for extracorporeal blood treatment.
[0016] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a
user interface which is easy to use, and by means of which times
for carrying out the preliminary stages of machine preparation for
extracorporeal blood treatment can be reduced--for example, in
relation to the mounting of the single--use parts of the apparatus
on the machine.
[0017] The aims and advantages and more besides are all achieved by
the present invention, as it is characterised in one or more of the
appended claims.
[0018] In a characteristic of the invention, the selection of any
touch key located in a first area of a display will determine
display, in a second area of the screen, of a corresponding image,
each touch key being associated to a respective image.
[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the images associated to
the touch keys are shown in a different way, i.e. not at the same
time in a second area of the display.
[0020] In an embodiment of the invention, the images displayed on
the second area of the screen are, at least partially, different
one from another.
[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the user interface
comprises a memory having a plurality of data (or data groups)
which are displayed on the first area of the screen, each item (or
group) of data being placed on-screen in a position in which it is
visually associated to a respective touch-key.
[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the above-cited data
groups are displayed contemporaneously in the first area of the
screen.
[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the data groups are not
cancelled if one of the touch keys is selected.
[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the data groups comprise
operating instructions for readying the machine.
[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, the images displayed in
the second area of the screen comprise pictographs representing
configurations of the machine correlated to instructions for
operations to be performed on the machine itself.
[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, the contents of the data
shown on the first area of the screen cannot be changed via the
touch screen by a machine user.
[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the data shown in the
first area of the screen does not contain parameters which can be
set by the operator.
[0028] In an embodiment of the invention, the second area of the
screen is without touch keys, or other areas predisposed for data
input, at least in the areas containing images associated to the
touch keys in the first area.
[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, selecting a touch key
determines a visible change in a part of the first area of the
screen, being the part visibly associated on-screen with the
selected touch key.
[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, a process for assisting
an operator in readying the machine for extracorporeal blood
treatment includes stages of: 1) bringing up on a touch-screen at
least one display divided into at least two distinct areas, a first
area exhibiting at least two touch keys, each touch key being
associated to at least one instruction relating to readying the
machine; 2) touching a touch key for selecting at least one
operative instruction; 3) in response to the above selection,
displaying a pictograph on a second area of the screen which
represents a configuration of the machine which is correlated to
the instruction given.
[0031] Further characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will better emerge from the detailed description that
follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention, illustrated
by way of non-limiting example in the appended figures of the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The description will be made with reference to the figures
of the drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example,
in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 shows the machine for extracorporeal blood treatment
of the invention, to which an integrated module (represented in the
figure without associated hydraulic circuit) is associable;
[0034] figures from 2 to 9 show user-interface displays which can
be called on-screen in the machine of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] With reference to FIG. 1, 1 denotes in its entirety a
machine for extracorporeal blood treatment, represented in the
illustrated embodiment by a dialysis machine which is suitable for
intensive treatment of acute kidney failure.
[0036] 2 denotes in its entirety an integrated module which can be
coupled to the dialysis machine 1. The integrated module 2 is
constituted by a combination of at least one support element 3 of a
distribution circuit (of known type and not illustrated) arranged
on the support element 3, and a blood treatment unit 4. The blood
treatment unit 4 can be, for example, a plasma filter, a
hemodialysis filter, a hemofiltration filter, or a different
unit.
[0037] The hydraulic circuit, which is completed by a combination
of the integrated module 2 and the machine 1, comprises a blood
circuit which removes blood from a patient, for example via a
catheter inserted in a vascular access of the patient, and takes
the blood though a blood removal line to the treatment unit 4.
[0038] The blood passes through a first chamber (blood chamber) of
the treatment unit 4 and, via a return line, is transported back to
the patient.
[0039] Immediately downstream of the blood removal zone, connection
is made between the removal line and an auxiliary pre-infusion
line.
[0040] In particular, the machine includes at least one container
of a first sterile fluid 5 for supplying the pre-infusion line;
fluid transport means, in the embodiment constituted by a
pre-infusion pump 6, for example a peristaltic pump, control the
flow of fluid in the pre-infusion line directly into the blood via
a direct connection to the blood removal line.
[0041] Generally the container of the first sterile fluid 5 can
contain a pre-infusion fluid, although the same container can be
used for containing an anticoagulant, usually of a locally-acting
type.
[0042] The machine further comprises means for transporting fluid,
i.e. in the embodiment at least one blood pump 7 for control and
management of a correct blood flow in the circuit. The blood pump 7
is peristaltic.
[0043] Once a blood circulation direction has been established from
the blood removal zone to the blood treatment unit 4, and
thereafter to the blood return line towards the patient, a blood
pressure sensor is included immediately downstream of the auxiliary
pre-infusion line.
[0044] Continuing along the blood circulation direction, a device
is included for administration of an anticoagulant, for example a
syringe containing appropriate doses of heparin.
[0045] The blood then crosses a further pressure sensor which
monitors the correct flow rate internally of the blood circuit.
[0046] After crossing the first blood chamber of the treatment unit
4, where substance-exchange and molecular and fluid exchange takes
place through a semi-permeable membrane, the treated blood enters
the return line, crossing a gas separator (generally air), where
any air bubbles present or introduced to the blood during treatment
are expelled.
[0047] The treated blood exiting from the gas separator (also known
as a deaeration chamber) crosses a bubble sensor (also known as an
air detector) which checks that these dangerous formations are not
present in the treated blood, which is about to be sent back into
the blood circuit of the patient.
[0048] Immediately downstream of the bubble sensor a closure
element is located, which on activation of an alarm can block the
blood flow towards the patient.
[0049] In particular, if the bubble sensor reveals the presence of
anomalies in blood flow, the machine, by means of the closure
element (which can be a cock, a clamp or the like) the blood
passage would immediately be stopped in order to prevent any kind
of consequence to the patient.
[0050] Downstream of the closure element the treated blood is
returned to the patient undergoing treatment.
[0051] The distribution circuitry comprises a first circuit of a
second sterile fluid (dialysing liquid) having at least one inlet
line to the blood treatment unit 4 and an outlet line from the
treatment unit 4.
[0052] At least one container of the second sterile fluid 8 is
destined to supply the inlet line of the first circuit.
[0053] The inlet line is destined to cooperate with means for fluid
transport, being at least one pump 9 (in the embodiment a
peristaltic pump) predisposed on the frontal part of the machine to
control the flow of the second sterile fluid coming from the
container 8, and to define a circulation direction.
[0054] Downstream of the pump 9 of the second sterile fluid, along
the circulation direction, a branch is included which divides the
first circuit of the second sterile fluid into an inlet branch and
an infusion branch.
[0055] In particular the infusion branch is connected to the blood
circuit return line. In other words, with this infusion line
infusion can be made directly into the blood, using the contents of
the container 8 of the second sterile fluid.
[0056] The inlet branch takes the second sterile fluid directly to
the blood treatment unit 4, in particular to a second chamber
(dialysis chamber) of the unit 4.
[0057] The first circuit of the second sterile fluid is further
associated to a first selector which determines the percentage
quantities of fluid flow into the infusion branch and the inlet
branch.
[0058] Generally the first selector, usually located in proximity
of the branch, enables selection between at least a first operative
condition, in which the second sterile fluid can pass into the
inlet branch but cannot pass into the infusion branch, and a second
operative condition, in which they allow passage of fluid into the
infusion branch but not into the inlet branch.
[0059] In other words the first selector can be constituted by a
valve element suitable for operating in a fluid circuit, which can
alternatively shut off passage of fluid into one or the other
branch. Selectors can be used, if preferred, which can decide prior
to starting the quantity of the second sterile fluid which can pass
at a same time into one and the other branch. Otherwise the
percentage amounts of fluid passing into one branch or the other
can be established according to determined times and therapies.
[0060] The second sterile fluid (dialysing liquid) crosses the
inlet branch and enters the second chamber (dialysis side) of the
blood treatment unit 4.
[0061] In particular the first chamber (blood chamber), crossed by
the blood flow, is separated from the second chamber (dialysis
chamber), crossed by the second sterile fluid, by a semi-permeable
membrane which enables passage of the damaging molecules and
substances and fluids in the blood towards the second sterile fluid
(dialysing liquid), mainly through convection and diffusion
processes; at the same time, and by the same principles, passage of
substances and molecules from the second sterile fluid and towards
the blood is allowed.
[0062] The second sterile fluid, for dialysis, enters the outlet
line of the first circuit and crosses a special pressure sensor for
controlling the functioning of the line.
[0063] Means for transporting the fluid, for example an effluent
drainage pump 10, are present, which control the flow in the fluid
circuit outlet line. This pump 10, as the others, is usually
peristaltic.
[0064] The discharge fluid then crosses a blood leak detector 15
and is sent on to an effluent collection container 11.
[0065] An infusion line is located on the return line of the blood
circuit. In particular, a third sterile fluid (infusion fluid) is
sourced from at least one auxiliary container 12 and, by action of
a fluid transport means, generally an infusion pump 13 which
controls flow (in the embodiment a peristaltic pump), is sent
directly to the blood circuit return line.
[0066] The third sterile fluid (infusion liquid) can be sent
directly into the gas separator device.
[0067] The post-infusion branch of the first circuit of the second
sterile fluid and the infusion line of the third sterile fluid are
provided with a common terminal inlet tract to the blood
circuit.
[0068] The terminal inlet tract is located downstream of the
infusion pump 13 with respect to an infusion direction, and sends
the fluid directly into the gas separator.
[0069] At least one pre-infusion branch is present in the infusion
line, connected to the blood circuit removal line.
[0070] In more detail, there is a branch located downstream of the
infusion pump 13 with respect to the infusion direction, which
divides the infusion line into a pre-infusion branch and a
post-infusion branch.
[0071] The pre-infusion branch takes the fluid removed from the
container to the blood circuit removal line downstream of the blood
pump 7 (downstream with respect to the circulation direction).
[0072] The post-infusion branch is directly connected to the common
terminal tract.
[0073] The infusion line further comprises a second selector for
determining the percentage quantities of liquid flow to send into
the post-infusion branch and the pre-infusion branch. The second
selector, located in proximity of the branch, is positionable
between at least one first operative configuration, in which fluid
can pass into the pre-infusion branch but not the post-infusion
branch, and at least a second operative configuration, in which
fluid is allowed to pass into the post-infusion branch and not the
pre-infusion branch.
[0074] As with the first selector on the first circuit of the
second sterile fluid, the second selector is able to establish
percentages of fluid passing into each of the two branches, and can
if necessary vary the times according to the treatments to be
carried out. The first and second selectors are usually, but not
necessarily, of similar type.
[0075] The machine is provided with means for determining at least
the weight of the container of the first sterile fluid 5 and/or the
container of the second sterile fluid 8 and/or the container of the
third sterile fluid 12 and/or the discharge container 11. The means
for determining are constituted by weight sensors, for example
scales (at least one independent scales for each container or fluid
bag associated to the machine).
[0076] There will be at least four of these scales present, each
independent of the others, and each predisposed to measure the
respective weight of a container 5, 8, 11, 12.
[0077] There is also a CPU active on the blood circuit and in
particular on the pressure sensor, the blood pump 7, the heparin
infusion device, the further pressure sensor, as well as on the
bubble sensor and the closure element.
[0078] The CPU is also used for controlling the first circuit of
the second sterile fluid, and in particular to receive data sent by
the scales relating to the weight of the container 8; it is also
active on the pump 9, the first selector, the pressure sensor, the
drainage pump 10 and the scales weighing the effluent discharge
container 11.
[0079] The CPU is also active on the infusion line of the third
sterile fluid, monitoring the weight of the container 12 (measured
by a scales), and also controls the infusion pump 13 and the second
selector.
[0080] Finally, the CPU is active on the auxiliary line for
pre-infusion of the first sterile fluid, measuring the weight of
the container 5 via a scales and commanding the pre-infusion pump 6
according to the treatment to be carried out.
[0081] The above, purely descriptive, account of the hydraulic
circuitry of the machine for extracorporeal blood treatment will
now be followed by a brief explanation of how the device
functions.
[0082] Before the actual treatment begins, the apparatus must be
prepared. The whole hydraulic circuitry and the treatment unit are
correctly associated to the machine so that the various peristaltic
pumps engage the respective tracts of tubing, and all the sensors
are correctly positioned; also, the relative bags containing the
various fluids are joined up to the respective supply or receiving
lines of the liquids, and the blood circuit is connected up to an
artery or vein of the patient. When set-up is complete, an initial
circulation of the blood internally of the respective circuit is
made.
[0083] According to the type of treatment selected (pure
ultra-filtration, hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration,
etc.), the machine for extracorporeal blood treatment is
automatically activated and controlled by the processing unit.
[0084] The machine 1 exhibits a machine body 100 provided, on a
front surface 101 thereof, with peristaltic pumps 6, 7, 9, 10, 13,
destined to cooperate in use with respective tracts of U-shaped
tubing on the integrated module.
[0085] The machine body 100 exhibits a relief acting as a
positioning guide 102 which projects from the front surface 101,
which is complementarily shaped with respect to the support element
3 with which it will couple in use.
[0086] In other words, the guide 102 exhibits a lateral surface 103
which, when the integrated module is coupled thereto, is contained
within a perimeter wall of the support element 3.
[0087] The peristaltic pumps also project from the front surface
101 of the machine body 100 and at least a part of the lateral
surface of the pumps is complementarily shaped with respect to the
perimeter wall of the support element 3.
[0088] The projecting peristaltic pumps and the guide 102 in
combination define seatings 104 having a semicircular shape, i.e. a
U-shape, which seatings 104 are destined to receive the
corresponding tracts of U-shaped tubing of the circuitry.
[0089] A first mobile element 105 and a second mobile element 106,
substantially identical and borne directly on the machine body 100,
are destined to be active on the infusion and/or inlet branch of
the second sterile fluid (the first mobile element 105) and,
respectively, on the pre-infusion branch and/or the post-infusion
branch of the third sterile fluid (the second mobile element 106).
In particular the first and second selectors can be constituted by
the mobile elements 105, 106, destined to be controlled by the CPU
to selectively allow or block passage of fluid into one or another
of the branches.
[0090] The front surface of the machine further exhibits a
plurality of fastening elements 14 for fixing the pressure sensors;
the pressure sensors associated to the circuitry of the integrated
module are hereat connected up to the CPU.
[0091] The blood leak detector 15 is also predisposed on the front
surface of the machine, and during the apparatus readying stage is
associated to the fluid circuit in outlet from the treatment unit
4.
[0092] 16 denotes a screen, which is part of the machine user
interface.
[0093] The user interface comprises a touch screen and a controller
programmed to display on the screen 16 of the touch-screen a
plurality of displays in which the screen 16 is divided into two
distinct areas, in which a first area 161 (on the left in the
figure) exhibits a plurality of touch keys 17, and a second area
162 (on the right in the figure), by the side of the first area,
selectively displays a plurality of pictographs 18, each of which
is associated to one of the touch-keys 17.
[0094] In the present description, the term "touch screen" refers
to a device having a screen for data output, which is also used for
input through selection of parts (touch keys) of the screened
display using the fingers; the device is able to detect where a
user has touched the screen and from this derive the selected
commands and perform them.
[0095] In figures from 2 to 9 a series of displays are illustrated
which relate to a specific series of procedural steps necessary for
readying the dialysis apparatus, in particular the procedural steps
for mounting the disposable set on the dialysis machine, in
relation to a hemodiafiltration treatment.
[0096] After the operator has used the touch-screen to select the
desired treatment (in the illustrated case hemodiafiltration, but
which could variously be hemofiltration, hemodialysis,
ultrafiltration, plasma exchange therapy etc.), the controller of
the user interface is programmed to bring up on-screen the display
of FIG. 2, in which the indications relating to the steps the
operator must perform to prepare the machine are shown. In this
case the activity consists in mounting the disposable set, where
the set comprises, as mentioned above, the support element 4 and
relative circuitry, and the blood treatment unit 5. The data
appearing on-screen comprises, in the example, an English
expression viz "Load set", which is an instruction relating to the
next steps to take. The display also includes an indication of the
selected treatment. In this case the treatment selected is
hemodiafiltration, and the well-known English acronym for this is
"CVVHDF".
[0097] The display comprises a touch key 19 for cancelling the
treatment selection, if the operator judges it to be incorrect.
[0098] The touch keys 17 correspond to one or more procedural
steps, arranged in top-down order according to temporal sequence
for carrying out the steps necessary for loading a disposable set
on the machine.
[0099] The first area 161 of the display has, by the side of each
touch key 17, an alphanumeric indication or legend 20 describing in
word form the procedural step or steps the operator must perform
that are associated with the respective touch key 17.
[0100] A pictograph 18 appears in the second area 162 of the screen
in this display, which pictograph 18 represents the front of the
dialysis machine, with the disposable set already mounted on the
machine. The pictograph 18 (FIG. 2) describes the fluid
distribution circuitry using lines in colour code according to the
type of fluid line represented, so that, for example, the blood
removal line is represented by a red line, the blood return line is
blue, the auxiliary pre-infusion line of the first sterile fluid is
white, and so on.
[0101] On touching any one of the touch keys 17 the controller
brings up a pictograph 18 in the second area of the display,
corresponding to the instruction associated to the selected touch
key 17.
[0102] As can be seen in figures from 2 to 9, each pictograph
represents the machine for extracorporeal blood treatment and at
least a part of the disposable element operatively associated to
the machine.
[0103] FIG. 3 shows the display which appears on selection of the
first touch key 17 giving the instructions for fixing the
integrated module 2 in the special seating predisposed on the front
of the machine, and for engaging the various fluid lines in the
respective guides, also located on the front of the machine.
[0104] Selecting the first key (at the top of the display) produces
the following changes to the display: firstly the pictograph 18
(FIG. 3) which appears in the second area 162 exhibits an
illustration of the machine front, with an accentuation of the
support element 3 of the integrated module in work position;
secondly the touch key 17 selected changes appearance (for example
it is more luminous or changes colour) with respect to the other
touch keys, so that the operator is reminded of which touch key 17
(and therefore which operational instruction) the pictograph 18 in
the second area 162 of the display is associated to. There are
other ways in which the pictograph 18 in the second area 162 can be
associated to the corresponding data or legend shown in the first
area 161; for example the legend could be colour-coded to
distinguish it from the other writing on the screen, or the
selected touch key 17 could begin to flash, or similar.
[0105] FIG. 4 shows the display which appears by effect of
selecting the second touch key 17 from the top of the display. This
touch key 17 is associated to the instruction to apply the pressure
sensors (or pods) to the corresponding fastening elements 14
predisposed on the front of the machine. The corresponding
pictograph 18 (FIG. 4) which appears' in the second area 162 of the
screen represents the front of the machine, with the pressure
sensors highlighted in the work position, coupled to the relative
fastening, elements 14. In this case too the selected touch key 17
is in some way distinguished vis--vis the other touch keys 17.
[0106] FIG. 5 shows the display that appears on selection of the
third touch key 17 from the top. This third touch key 17, which as
before with other keys is in some way differentiated from the other
keys, is associated to the instruction to operatively connect the
outlet line for used fluid exiting the blood treatment unit (where
the effluent dialysis fluid flows, also known as the discharge
line) with the blood leak detector 15 predisposed on the front of
the machine. In the pictograph 18 (FIG. 5) which appears by
selection of the third touch key 17, and which schematically
illustrates the front of the machine, the above-cited outlet line
and the blood leak detector 15 are particularly highlighted. Visual
accentuation, in this case as in the following cases, can be
achieved in any known way, for example by greater luminosity of the
part to be highlighted with regard to the rest.
[0107] FIG. 6 shows the display that appears when the fourth touch
key 17 from the top is selected. This touch key 17 is associated to
the instruction for temporarily hanging one or more lines, in the
embodiment the blood removal line and the discharge fluid line, to
a support element provided on the machine, in preparation for a
priming operation which will follow on from the mounting operation
of the disposable set on the machine. In this case too the operator
is assisted in the machine preparation, thanks to the fact that
after having selected the touch key 17 relating to the instruction
to be carried out, the operator finds, in the second area 162 of
the screen, a graphic illustration of the same instruction,
constituted by a pictograph 18.
[0108] In the first area 161 of the screen display the operator has
an overview of the various operations to be carried out to complete
the mounting procedure for the disposable set on the machine; but
the operator can also receive further data, displayed on-screen in
the second area 162 thereof, which relate to each single
instruction or group of instructions described in the first part
161 of the screen and selected as required. The written data
(legends 20), remains visible at all times to the operator no
matter which touch key 17 is selected, while the data displayed
on-screen in the second area 162 of the display change according to
which touch key 17 is selected time-by-time by the operator. The
further and more specific data relating to each touch key 17 and
displayed in the second area 162 of the screen takes the form of
pictographs 18 represented by the operations the operator is to
carry out on the machine.
[0109] FIG. 7 shows the display that appears on-screen on selection
of the fifth touch key 17. The data (or data group) associated to
the fifth touch key 17 is related to positioning the gas separator
device in the special support element predisposed on the front of
the machine, and to connect up an auxiliary line for the pressure
connection, which exits from the top of the chamber itself, to an
inlet port, also predisposed on the front of the machine, for
sending the pressure in the chamber to a pressure transducer inside
the machine. Also in the present case the pictograph 18 (FIG. 7)
appearing on the second area 162 of screen is descriptive of the
above-cited instruction.
[0110] FIG. 8 is the display that appears on selection of the sixth
touch key 17, to which are associated the instructions for
connecting the blood return line to the bubble sensor, and closing
the line. As with the previous displays, the pictograph 18 which
appears in the second area 162 of the screen describes the
instruction given.
[0111] FIG. 9 shows the display which appears when the seventh
touch key 17 is selected, containing the instructions for
activating the scales of the discharge container of the used
liquid, and for hanging the (empty) effluent collection container
11 on the special support hook therefor; and thereafter, for
deactivating the scales. The pictograph 18 which appears on the
right of the screen is illustrative of the above-described group of
instructions.
[0112] Once all the instructions have been carried out, the
operator presses another touch key 21 located in a lower region of
the display, to continue the dialogue with the machine control unit
in order to set up the machine correctly for the treatment
required.
[0113] The touch screen controller is thus programmed to
selectively display a plurality of images (pictograms 18) on the
second area 162 of the screen; selection of one of the touch keys
17 brings on-screen an image which is dedicated only to the
selected touch key 17.
[0114] The controller is also programmed so that the various images
shown on the second part of the display 162 appear alternatively
and not contemporaneously.
[0115] The controller is programmed so that the various images are
at least partly different to each other, due to the fact that they
describe information which is also different in each case.
[0116] The touch screen comprises a memory containing the
above-mentioned data relating to the machine. The controller is
programmed so that the various on-screen displays, associated to a
same series of procedural steps (for example the series of
procedural steps for mounting a disposable set for a
hemodiafiltration treatment, as in the illustrated embodiment, or
for priming the disposable set, or for preparing and connecting the
containers 8, 11, 12 of the various sterile liquids to the
apparatus, or for connecting up the patient to the apparatus, and
so on), each comprise a display including the relevant data (for
example by displaying a button-like touch key next to a legend
explaining the information, or by writing the data in an area of
the screen which functions as a touch key, or in some other
way).
[0117] The controller can be programmed, as in the illustrated
example, so that, by effect of activation of any one of the various
touch keys 17, the data displayed cannot be cancelled and is
therefore still visible in the first area 161 of the screen.
[0118] As has been explained, the data comprises instructions for
readying the machine. The user interface is programmed so that it
visualizes images which can be pictographs representing
configurations of the machine, in which the configurations are
correlated to the instructions given.
[0119] The resolution of the second area 162 of the display, which
is destined to display the pictographs, is at least 80 pixels per
inch. In the illustrated embodiment, in which the touch-screen is
12 inches with 800.times.600 pixel, the resolution of the second
area 162 of the screen, which is destined to show the pictographs
and which occupies an area of 250.times.405 pixel, is about 83
pixels per inch.
[0120] The touch screen controller is programmed so that each of
the above-mentioned images, displayed in the second area 162 of the
screen, is not active in the user-display dialogue process, i.e.
there is no interaction on the part of the user using the second
area 162 of the screen, which is destined, in the displays relating
to the preparation procedure of the machine, to offer only image
visualization, with no touch keys or other possibilities of
activation on the part of the operator, who is essentially passive
as regards what happens in the second area 162, being able only to
view the images.
[0121] As has been described, the controller is programmed so that
by activation of any one of the touch keys, a part of the first
area 161, visually associated to the activated touch key, undergoes
a change. In the illustrated embodiment the change consists in a
change of colour in the "button" representation of the touch key
on-screen.
[0122] The controller is also programmed not to enable any change
of the contents of the above-described data by a user operating the
touch screen. The contents of the data can be modified only by an
operator who is also an expert in electronics and who is therefore
able to intervene in the machine operating system. The nature of
the data (for example, operative instructions for readying the
machine) is such that there are no variable and settable parameters
(as might be the case with the treatment parameters, such as for
example the blood flow rate, the duration of treatment, the
quantity of fluid to be removed from the patient, and so on).
[0123] In a further embodiment of the invention, not illustrated,
the user interface controller is programmed to visually modify at
least one area of the display by effect of carrying out at least
one of the above-described operating instructions. In particular,
the part of display which is modified is logically connected to the
instruction given, and the change in the area of display assumes
the guise of a response by the machine to the operator, subsequent
to an operating instruction's having been correctly performed. For
example, the response that appears on-screen when the operation has
been correctly carried out might consist in highlighting, or
colour-coding, or flashing etc. either the part of the pictograph
which represents the part of the disposable set related to the
instruction just carried out, or the alphanumeric image which
appears on-screen in the first area 161 and which describes the
instruction which has just been carried out, or both the areas of
the display. This signal for indicating a correct carrying-out of
the instruction can last for a predetermined time, or, for example,
could cease when the operator presses one of the touch keys 17, 19,
21.
* * * * *