U.S. patent application number 13/023980 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for apparatus and method for recognizing couplings between two system components.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEDELA HOLDING AG. Invention is credited to Urs Koch, Peter Vischer, Daniela Wackerlin.
Application Number | 20110196291 13/023980 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42163729 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110196291 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vischer; Peter ; et
al. |
August 11, 2011 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING COUPLINGS BETWEEN TWO SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Abstract
In an apparatus for recognizing couplings between a first and a
second component of a system, one of the two components is provided
with an identification unit. A checking unit is operatively
connected to the second component. The identification unit contains
an item of information relating to the first component. The
checking unit is designed for recognizing and processing this item
of information. The checking unit moreover is designed such that,
as a function of a result of the processing of the item of
information, it allows or prevents coupling between the first and
the second component. This apparatus enables a combined use of
system components only in the case of an admissible coupling
thereof.
Inventors: |
Vischer; Peter; (Kussnacht
am Rigi, CH) ; Wackerlin; Daniela; (Baar, CH)
; Koch; Urs; (Greppen, CH) |
Assignee: |
MEDELA HOLDING AG
BAAR
CH
|
Family ID: |
42163729 |
Appl. No.: |
13/023980 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/74 ;
604/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 39/10 20130101;
A61M 1/0066 20130101; A61M 2205/27 20130101; A61M 2205/60 20130101;
A61M 2039/1027 20130101; A61M 1/0023 20130101; A61M 2039/1044
20130101; A61M 1/06 20130101; A61M 2205/6054 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/74 ;
604/319 |
International
Class: |
A61M 1/06 20060101
A61M001/06; A61M 1/00 20060101 A61M001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 11, 2010 |
CH |
00166/10 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for recognizing couplings between a first component
and a second component of a system, wherein one of the two
components is provided with an identification unit and wherein a
checking unit is operatively connected to the second component,
wherein the identification unit contains an item of information
relating to the first component, and wherein the checking unit is
designed for recognizing and processing the item of information,
wherein the checking unit moreover is designed such that, as a
function of a result of the processing of the item of information,
the checking unit allows or prevents coupling between the first
component and the second component.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
component is a breastpump for expressing human breastmilk or a
drainage pump for draining bodily fluids.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first component
is an accessory of the second component.
4. The apparatus as claims in claim 3 wherein the first component
is a breast shield of a breastpump for expressing human breastmilk
or suction tubing or service tubing or a wound insert or a fluid
collection container or a catheter.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first component
has a first coupling element and the second component has a second
coupling element and wherein the two coupling elements are
interconnected to establish the coupling.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and the
second coupling elements are two complementary parts of a plug-in
connection or a snap-on connection or a swivel connection or a
bayonet connection or a magnetic connection or an
electro-mechanical connection.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the identification
unit and the checking unit are designed such that recognition and
processing of the item of information is brought about when the
coupling between the first and second coupling elements has not
been brought about.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the checking unit
has a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification
unit and the checking unit are designed such that transmission
and/or recognition and/or processing of the item of information is
brought about electronically or optically or chemically.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification
unit and the checking unit are designed such that the item of
information is transmitted contactlessly.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the checking unit
is operatively connected to a switch that enables the operation of
the suction pump in the case of an admissible coupling.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the checking unit
is operatively connected to a barrier that prevents a connection
between the first and second coupling elements in the case of an
inadmissible coupling.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the barrier is
arranged on or in the second coupling element.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is a
breastpump system for expressing human breastmilk or a drainage
system for draining bodily fluids.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein as a function of a
result of the processing of the item of the information, the
checking unit allows or prevents operation of the second component,
wherein the second component case is a suction pump.
16. A method for recognizing couplings between a first and a second
component of a system, wherein one of the two components contains
an item of information relating to this first component, wherein a
checking unit recognizes and processes the item of information and
exerts an effect on the second component, wherein, as a function of
a result of the processing of the item of information, the checking
unit allows or prevents coupling between the first and the second
component.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the checking unit
opens or closes a coupling element of the second component as a
function of the result of the processing of the item of
information.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein as a function of a
result of the processing of the item of the information, the
checking unit allows or prevents operation of the second component,
wherein the second component is a suction pump.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present applications claims priority to Swiss Patent
Application No. 00166/10, filed Feb. 11, 2010, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method
for recognizing couplings between two components of a system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventionally, coupling between two system components is
always enabled when two coupling parts, which should establish the
connection between the two system components, complement one
another physically and form two parts of a unit. This can easily be
seen on the basis of a plug-in connection.
[0004] However, this criterion is often insufficient, particularly
in the field of medical technology. Thus, for example, US
2006/0073048 discloses an irrigation pump with a replaceable tubing
set and a control console. The tubing set comprises a
radio-frequency identification (RFID) apparatus in which physical
attributes of the tubing set are stored. A control console reads
this data and, taking into account further data, makes a decision
as to whether the pump together with this tubing set is suitable
for discharging the desired amount of liquid. Moreover, the control
console can also check whether the pump manufacturer has even
approved the tubing set for use with the manufacturer's pump by
using manufacturer identification.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,490 likewise describes an irrigation and
suction pump with a plurality of tubing sets. The various tubing
sets are each only designed for a specific use and encoded
appropriately. The pump has corresponding recognition means for
reading these codes.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,990 shows a surgical cutting instrument
with RFID in the handle for interchanging data between blade and
handle.
[0007] WO 03/013372 discloses a surgical system with a handle and
with accessories that can be attached to the handle. In this case,
a chip is also arranged in the accessory for recognizing the
accessory.
[0008] These known systems successfully avoid incorrect operational
settings of the instruments because the system itself selects or at
least proposes the mode of operation resulting from the combination
of instrument and accessory.
[0009] However, should an attempt be made at connecting an
incompatible accessory to the instrument, this can lead to physical
damage to the instrument, particularly in the region of the
coupling element thereof. Furthermore, it is not always ensured
that the instrument cannot be used nonetheless.
SUMMARY
[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to create an
apparatus and a method for recognizing couplings between two
components of a system, which permit a combined use of the system
components only in the case of an admissible coupling thereof.
[0011] In the apparatus according to the invention for recognizing
couplings between a first and a second component of a system, one
of the two components is provided with an identification unit. A
checking unit is operatively connected to the second component. The
identification unit contains an item of information relating to the
first component. The checking unit is designed for recognizing and
processing this item of information. The checking unit moreover is
designed such that, as a function of a result of the processing of
the item of information, it allows or prevents coupling between the
first and the second component.
[0012] In the method according to the invention for recognizing
couplings between a first and a second component of a system, one
of the two components contains an item of information relating to
this first component, wherein a checking unit recognizes and
processes this item of information and exerts an effect on the
second component. As a function of a result of the processing of
the item of information, the checking unit allows or prevents
coupling between the first and the second component.
[0013] This ensures that it is only possible to create desired
connections between the two system components, in particular a
suction pump and an accessory, and that the system components can
only be used together at all in the case of an admissible
combination. This enables recognition of non-proprietary,
unsuitable, outdated or otherwise unsuitable system components and
their use or coupling can be avoided.
[0014] In addition, or alternatively, the checking unit can, as a
function of a result of the processing of the item of the
information, allow or prevent operation of the second component,
which in this case is a suction pump.
[0015] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in
the following text on the basis of the drawings, which merely serve
for explanatory purposes and should not be construed as limiting
the invention. In the drawings,
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a basic scheme of the apparatus according to
the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the apparatus
according to the invention in a first embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the apparatus
according to the invention in a second embodiment; and
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of the apparatus
according to the invention in a third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a basic scheme of the apparatus according
to the invention and also explains the method according to the
invention.
[0022] A first system component 1 comprises an identification unit
11 storing at least one item of information, preferably a plurality
of items of information, relating to properties 10 of this first
system component 1.
[0023] A second system component 2 can be connected to the first
system component 1 via a coupling unit 4. The coupling is
preferably brought about by interconnecting a first and a second
coupling part 12, 22.
[0024] A checking unit 3, also referred to as a controller, is
equipped with a central intelligence or logic 30 and is operatively
connected to the first and the second system component 1, 2.
[0025] If coupling should now be brought about between the first
and the second system component 1, 2, the information or data
stored in the identification unit 11 is transmitted to the checking
unit 3. This is indicated in FIG. 1 by the reference sign 5. The
transmission can be active and be brought about independently by
the first system component 1, or it can be activated by the
checking unit 3.
[0026] Information relating to the second system component 2 is
stored in the checking unit 3. Alternatively, this information can
likewise be queried or transmitted to the checking unit 3. The
checking unit 3, in particular the logic 30, now checks whether the
first system component 1 is suitable for connection to the second
system component 2. A control variable is preferably determined by
means of a suitable algorithm.
[0027] If the answer is "yes", coupling, i.e. a connection between
the first and second coupling parts 12, 22, can now be permitted.
The corresponding signal from the checking unit 3 to the coupling
unit 4 is provided with the reference sign 31 in FIG. 1. The
established coupling is labeled by the reference sign 41.
[0028] If the answer is "no", coupling is prevented. That is to
say, the first and the second coupling part 1, 2 cannot be
interconnected. The corresponding signal from the checking unit 3
to the coupling unit 4 is provided with the reference sign 32 in
FIG. 1. The prevented coupling is labeled by the reference sign 40.
By way of example, coupling can be prevented by not releasing a
plug input, in particular by not allowing the removal of a
protective plate from in front of a coupling element.
[0029] FIG. 1 additionally illustrates a further action of the
checking unit 3. If the aforementioned answer is "yes", a signal is
transmitted to the second system component 2 (see reference sign
33) and operation of the second system component 2 is permitted
(see reference sign 21). If the aforementioned answer is "no", a
signal is likewise transmitted to the second system component 2
(see reference sign 34) and operation of the second system
component 2 is prevented (see reference sign 20).
[0030] It is also possible that, in the case of a "no" answer, no
signal is transmitted and the coupling or the operation of the
second system component 2 is simply not permitted.
[0031] The checking unit 3 is preferably integrated into the second
system component 2 or at least arranged in a common housing.
However, it can also be designed as a separate component with its
own housing.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the
invention and in a preferred variant of the method according to the
invention, both actions are brought about: i.e. both coupling and
operation of the second system component 2 are allowed or
prevented. In other embodiments, the apparatus is designed such
that only one of the two actions is provided. That is to say, in a
first embodiment, the apparatus can enable or prevent coupling. In
a second embodiment, the apparatus can enable or prevent the
operation of the second system component.
[0033] In the case where only the operation can be enabled or
prevented, the second system component has a suction pump, wherein
the operation of the latter is enabled or prevented. In this case,
the first system component 1 is preferably suction tubing, for
example drainage tubing or vacuum tubing.
[0034] In all examples, the second system component 2 is preferably
a suction pump, e.g. a drainage pump for draining bodily fluids or
a breastpump for expressing human breastmilk. By way of example,
such drainage pumps are used in wound drainage, thorax drainage,
operations and liposuctions.
[0035] In all examples, the first system component 1 is preferably
an accessory for this suction pump. For example, it is a breast
shield for a breastpump, vacuum tubing for the connection between
the breast shield and breastpump, a vacuum-actuated wound insert,
drainage tubing, secretion tubing, service tubing, a catheter or a
fluid collection container.
[0036] In all embodiments, the first coupling element 12 and the
second coupling element 22 are two complementary parts of a
connection, e.g. a plug-in connection, a snap-on connection, a
swivel connection, a bayonet connection, a magnetic connection or
an electro-mechanical connection.
[0037] In all embodiments, the identification unit 11 is preferably
part of the first system component or arranged together therewith
in the same housing. By way of example, it can be arranged in the
breast shield, in the fluid collection container, in or on the
tubing, in or on the inner or outer wall of the tubing, on the
interface between drainage container and drainage bag, or on the
interface between drainage tubing and wound.
[0038] The recognition or identification is preferably not brought
about mechanically but electronically. Radio-frequency
identification (RFID) is preferably used, wherein the appropriate
apparatus is provided in the checking unit 3. The transmission,
recognition and/or processing of the information however can also
be brought about electronically, optically or chemically. However,
the information is preferably transmitted contactlessly.
[0039] The information and data stored in the identification unit
11 preferably relate to information from the manufacturer, such as
make, classification, age of the system component or production
date.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a first application of the apparatus
according to the invention. The first system component 8 is tubing
80 with a first plug part 81. An identification unit, in this case
a microchip 82 with stored information and a transponder coil 83
for RFID, is arranged in a housing 84 of the plug 81.
[0041] In this case, the second system component 9 is a suction
pump 90, the housing of which is provided with a second plug part
91 for connection to the first plug part 81. The first plug part 81
is preferably male; the second plug part 91 is preferably designed
to be female.
[0042] Electronics 92 are provided with RFID or another contactless
information query unit. An antenna 93 transmits the information
transmitted by the first system component 8 to the checking unit,
i.e. the electronics 92. Depending on the type of obtained
information, the electronics now close a switch 94 or the latter
remains open. If the switch 94 is open, operation of the suction
pump is prevented. If it is closed, the suction pump can be
operated and the tubing 80 can be actuated with negative pressure.
Thus, in this example, operation of the second system component 2
is allowed or prevented, depending on whether the answer is "yes"
or "no".
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment which substantially
has the same components as the embodiment as per FIG. 2. Therefore,
identical parts have been provided with the same reference signs
and will not be explained in any more detail here. However, in this
case there is an additional apparatus that closes off the input of
the female plug part 91. In this example, this apparatus comprises
an eccentric wheel 95 and a sealing plate 96 operatively connected
thereto. Other solutions are possible.
[0044] The input of the female plug part 91 is preferably sealed by
the sealing plate 96 as standard and so the male plug part 81
cannot be inserted. If the answer to the query now is "yes", the
electronics 92 cause the eccentric wheel 95 to move the sealing
plate 96 by means of a drive (not illustrated here), and the input
of the female plug part is released. Other variants are also
possible. As a result of this, there can be coupling between the
first and second system components. Since the answer "yes" has
additionally closed the switch 94, the suction pump can also be
operated.
[0045] Alternatively, there can be no switch 94 in the exemplary
embodiment as per FIG. 3 and merely the input to the female plug
part 91 can be locked.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment, this time
from the field of drainage apparatuses. The first system component
is a drainage container 60 provided with a microchip 67. This
microchip 67 stores data and information relating to the drainage
container. The drainage container 60 is provided with a
patient-side connection 69.
[0047] The second system component is a suction pump 70 connected
to the drainage container 60 via a vacuum line or vacuum tubing 68.
A checking unit or electronics 72 is/are arranged in the housing of
the suction pump 70. Here too, a switch 74 is available in turn,
which is connected to the electronics 72 and has to be closed in
order to operate the suction pump. The electronics 72 are provided
with RFID 73. The housing is provided with a patient-side
connection 77, which can preferably be closed by means of a
mechanical switch 76. The switch 76 is likewise actuated by means
of the electronics 72.
[0048] The coupling unit is formed by a double plug 63, which
connects the drainage container 60 to the suction pump 70. The 63
plug has a container-side connection 64, which can be plugged into
the patient-side connection 69 of the drainage container 60, and a
pump-side connection 65, which can be plugged into the patient-side
connection 77 of the suction pump 70. Moreover, drainage tubing 61
and preferably service tubing 62 are plugged into the double plug
63. Arranged in the housing of the double plug 63, there is a
microchip 66 that stores information and data relating to the
double plug and, preferably, the tubing 61, 62. Thus, the double
plug 63 forms not only a coupling unit but also, simultaneously, a
further second system component.
[0049] The data from the two microchips 66, 67 of the two second
system components 60, 63 are sent to the electronics 72 of the
first system component 70 and are processed there, and the switch
74 is or is not opened, depending on the information obtained.
Likewise, the mechanical switch 76, i.e. the barrier, is or is not
opened, depending on the information obtained. In this example,
preferably both second system components have to satisfy the
requirements so that there can be coupling to the first system
component and operation of the suction pump. The data transmission
is also preferably contactless in this case.
[0050] The apparatus according to the invention allows common use
of system components only in the case of an admissible coupling
thereof.
* * * * *