U.S. patent application number 16/012360 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-19 for blood treatment machine with blood pressure measurement notification.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.. Invention is credited to Martin Joseph Crnkovich, David Yuds.
Application Number | 20190385434 16/012360 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67263056 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190385434 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yuds; David ; et
al. |
December 19, 2019 |
Blood Treatment Machine With Blood Pressure Measurement
Notification
Abstract
A system for blood treatment that includes a blood treatment
machine. The blood treatment machine includes a receiver, a user
interface configured to display information related to the blood
pressure data received by the receiver, and a controller. The
controller is configured to generate a notification to notify a
user of an upcoming blood pressure measurement before the blood
pressure measurement occurs. The blood treatment machine also
includes a blood pressure monitoring device connected to the blood
treatment machine, the blood pressure monitoring device configured
to send signals containing blood pressure information to the
receiver of the blood treatment machine.
Inventors: |
Yuds; David; (Hudson,
NH) ; Crnkovich; Martin Joseph; (Walnut Creek,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. |
Waltham |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67263056 |
Appl. No.: |
16/012360 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 1/14 20130101; A61M
2205/583 20130101; A61M 2205/18 20130101; A61M 2205/502 20130101;
A61M 1/36 20130101; A61M 2205/582 20130101; G08B 21/24 20130101;
A61M 2205/3344 20130101; A61M 2205/581 20130101; A61M 2205/584
20130101; A61M 1/34 20130101; A61M 2205/3569 20130101; A61M
2205/3576 20130101; A61M 2230/30 20130101; A61M 2205/587 20130101;
A61M 1/267 20140204 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/24 20060101
G08B021/24; A61M 1/26 20060101 A61M001/26 |
Claims
1. A system for blood treatment, the system comprising: a blood
treatment machine comprising: a receiver, a user interface
configured to display information related to the blood pressure
data received by the receiver, and a controller configured to
generate a notification, based on data received from a timer, to
notify a user of an upcoming blood pressure measurement before the
blood pressure measurement occurs; and a blood pressure monitoring
device connected to the blood treatment machine, wherein the blood
pressure monitoring device is configured to send signals containing
blood pressure information to the receiver of the blood treatment
machine.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a blood pump
configured to pump blood through an extracorporeal blood circuit
when the extracorporeal blood circuit is connected to the blood
treatment machine.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the blood pressure
monitoring device and blood treatment machine are electronically
connected and the blood pressure monitoring device is operable to
send signals to the blood treatment machine, using an electronic
connector.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the blood pressure
monitoring device and the blood treatment machine are wirelessly
connected, and the blood pressure monitoring device is operable to
transmit signals to a signal receiver on the blood treatment
machine, using a signal transmitter of the blood pressure
monitoring device.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the signals from the
blood pressure monitoring device indicate that the blood pressure
monitoring device will measure blood pressure in a defined amount
of time.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the defined amount of
time less than one minute.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the signals from the
blood pressure monitoring device indicate that the blood pressure
monitoring device is measuring blood pressure.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system further
comprises a second interface connected the blood treatment
machine.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the second interface is
a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer.
10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the second interface
and the blood treatment machine are wirelessly connected.
11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the second interface
comprises a processor, a signal transmitter, and a signal receiver,
wherein the signal transmitter of the second interface is operable
to send signals to the blood treatment machine and the signal
receiver of the second interface is operable to receive signals
from the blood treatment machine.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the processor of the
second interface is configured to generate an alert.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the alert is a visual
alert displayed on the second interface.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the alert is an
auditory alert from a speaker of the second interface.
15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the alert is a
vibrational alert and at least part of the second interface is
configured to vibrate when the processor generates the alert.
16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the alert of the
second interface indicates an upcoming blood measurement will occur
in an amount of time.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the amount of time is
less than 1 minute.
18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the blood treatment
machine comprises the timer.
19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the blood monitoring
device comprises the timer.
20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is
configured so that the operator can see parameters of the
notification.
21. A blood treatment machine comprising: a receiver configured to
receive blood pressure data from a blood pressure monitor when the
blood pressure monitoring device is connected to the blood
treatment machine, a user interface configured to display
information related to the blood pressure data received by the
receiver, and a controller configured to generate a notification,
based on data received from a timer, to notify a user of an
upcoming blood pressure measurement before the blood pressure
measurement occurs.
22. A method for notifying an operator of a blood treatment machine
that a blood pressure measurement is about to occur, the method
comprising: placing a blood pressure monitoring device for
measuring blood pressure on a patient, receiving data from a timer,
based on the data received from the timer, notifying the operator
of the blood treatment machine that the blood pressure measurement
is about to occur, and measuring the blood pressure of the patient.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to a blood treatment machine with
blood pressure measurement notification.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Blood treatment is recommended to patients who cannot
sufficiently clear their blood of toxins. Blood treatment often
occurs at a clinic that operates multiple blood treatment machines.
However, at-home blood treatment machines are also available. At a
blood treatment clinic, a user or operator prepares the blood
treatment machine for blood treatment, attaches the patient to the
blood treatment machine prior to treatment, and detaches the
patient from the blood treatment machine when the blood treatment
is completed. During blood treatment, the operator routinely checks
the patient to ensure the blood treatment machine is operating
properly. The blood treatment machine is also typically configured
to automatically monitor various machine and patient parameters
during treatment. One such patient parameter that is typically
monitored is blood pressure (BP). Each blood treatment machine
typically also has programmable alarms that notify the operator
when a measurement is outside of a programmed range. Notifying the
operator in this way allows the operator to address the alarm
condition.
SUMMARY
[0003] The foregoing and other embodiments can each optionally
include one or more of the following features, alone or in
combination.
[0004] In a first aspect, a system for blood treatment comprises a
blood treatment machine comprising a receiver, a user interface
configured to display information related to the blood pressure
data received by the receiver, and a controller configured to
generate a notification to notify a user of an upcoming blood
pressure measurement before the blood pressure measurement occurs.
A blood pressure monitoring device connected to the blood treatment
machine is configured to send signals containing blood pressure
information to the receiver of the blood treatment machine.
[0005] In some embodiments, a blood pump is configured to pump
blood through an extracorporeal blood circuit when the
extracorporeal blood circuit is connected to the blood treatment
machine.
[0006] In some embodiments, the blood pressure monitoring device
and blood treatment machine are electronically connected, and the
blood pressure monitoring device is operable to send signals to the
blood treatment machine, using an electronic connector.
[0007] In some embodiments, the blood pressure monitoring device
and the blood treatment machine are wirelessly connected, and the
blood pressure monitoring device is operable to transmit signals to
a signal receiver on the blood treatment machine, using a signal
transmitter of the blood pressure monitoring device.
[0008] In some embodiments, the signals from the blood pressure
monitoring device indicate that the blood pressure monitoring
device will measure blood pressure in a defined amount of time, for
example, less than one minute.
[0009] In some embodiments, the signals from the blood pressure
monitoring device indicate that the blood pressure monitoring
device is measuring blood pressure.
[0010] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a second
interface connected the blood treatment machine. The second
interface may be a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer. The second
interface and the blood treatment machine can be wirelessly
connected.
[0011] In some embodiments, the second interface comprises a
processor, a signal transmitter, and a signal receiver, wherein the
signal transmitter of the second interface is operable to send
signals to the blood treatment machine, and the signal receiver of
the second interface is operable to receive signals from the blood
treatment machine. The processor of the second interface can be
configured to generate an alert, for example, a visual, auditory,
or vibrational alert. In some embodiments, at least part of the
second interface is configured to vibrate when the processor
generates the alert. The alert of the second interface can indicate
an upcoming blood measurement will occur in an amount of time, for
example, less than one minute.
[0012] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to
generate the notification based on data received from a timer of
the blood treatment machine.
[0013] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to
generate the notification based on data received from a timer of
the blood monitoring device.
[0014] In some embodiments, the controller is configured so that
the operator can see parameters of the notification.
[0015] In a second aspect, a blood treatment machine comprises a
receiver configured to receive blood pressure data from a blood
pressure monitor when the blood pressure monitoring device is
connected to the blood treatment machine, a user interface
configured to display information related to the blood pressure
data received by the receiver, and a controller configured to
generate a notification to notify a user of an upcoming blood
pressure measurement before the blood pressure measurement
occurs.
[0016] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to
generate a visual notification. The visual notification may be
displayed on the user interface. The visual notification may be,
for example, at least one light, and generating the visual
notification can include turning on the at least one light. The
light may flash or blink.
[0017] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to
generate an auditory notification. The auditory notification can be
distinct from other alarms emitted by the blood treatment machine,
for example, a pulsing sound. The blood treatment machine may
further comprise a speaker configured to emit the auditory
notification.
[0018] In some embodiments, the blood treatment machine is
configured to connect to a blood pressure monitoring device. The
blood pressure treatment machine and the blood pressure monitoring
device may be electronically or wirelessly connected.
[0019] In some embodiments, blood treatment machine is configured
to connect to a second interface. The blood treatment machine and
the second interface may be configured to be wirelessly
connected.
[0020] In a third aspect, a method of notifying an operator of a
blood treatment machine that a blood pressure measurement is about
to occur comprises placing a blood pressure monitoring device for
measuring blood pressure on a patient, notifying the operator of
the blood treatment machine that the blood pressure measurement is
about to occur, and measuring the blood pressure of the
patient.
[0021] In some embodiments, the blood pressure monitoring device
sends signals to a blood treatment machine. The signals may be sent
a defined amount of time before the blood pressure monitoring
device measures blood pressure, for example, less than one
minute.
[0022] In some embodiments, notifying the operator includes
receiving a signal from the blood pressure monitoring device and
generating a notification on a blood treatment machine.
[0023] In some embodiments, notifying the operator further includes
sending a signal from the blood treatment machine to a connected
second interface and producing an alert on the second
interface.
[0024] In some embodiments, notifying the operator includes
transmitting a signal from the blood pressure monitoring device to
the blood treatment machine, sending a signal from the blood
treatment machine to a second interface, and generating an alert on
the second interface.
[0025] Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in
this specification can be implemented so as to realize one or more
of the following advantages. A severe decrease in blood pressure
during dialysis can lead to muscle cramps nausea and vomiting, or
dizziness. Thus, the blood pressure of a patient is routinely
monitored during blood treatment. By notifying the operator prior
to taking a blood pressure measurement, the operator can monitor
the patient during the blood pressure measurement and thus better
assess the patient's condition. Alarm fatigue occurs when an
operator becomes more lax in responding to alarms due to a high
frequency of alerts from the blood treatment machines. The
notification may prevent alarm fatigue by generating a notification
that is unique and distinct from other alerts and notifications of
the blood treatment machine. The notification can be either silent
or a pleasing sound so other patients and operators are not
annoyed. The clinic manager may even upload a custom tone of their
choosing to personalize the notification for their own clinic. This
tone could even be changed throughout the year to match festive
calendars or moods. The notification can be sent to a portable
interface to ensure the operator receives the notification even if
the operator is not in the vicinity of the blood treatment
machine.
[0026] Additionally, the blood treatment machine can generate a
quality of care record that can help to indicate the attentiveness
of the clinic's staff towards a patient. For example, the machine
could compile a record of blood pressure notifications that are
manually cleared versus ignored or could show the average time
elapsed between an alert and clinical attention (i.e., notification
confirmation).
[0027] The notifications can also provide extra time for a
clinician to place the blood pressure cuff and confirm the correct
placement with a confirmation mechanism (e.g., button or spoken
command). This can be particularly useful when patients remove the
blood pressure cuff between measurements.
[0028] The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter
of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings
and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages
of the subject matter will become apparent from the description,
the drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a blood treatment system including a blood
treatment machine and a blood pressure monitoring device where the
blood treatment machine is configured to notify an operator of an
upcoming blood pressure measurement.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a home screen of a user interface of the blood
treatment system shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a blood pressure settings screen of the user
interface of the blood treatment system shown in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a blood pressure measurement notification on
the home screen of FIG. 2.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a blood treatment system connected to a second
interface.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows the second interface of FIG. 5 displaying a
blood pressure measurement alert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] A blood treatment system is disclosed that is configured to
notify an operator or user of an upcoming blood pressure
measurement. The system includes a blood pressure monitoring device
connected blood treatment machine. The blood treatment machine is
configured to notify the operator of an upcoming blood pressure
measurement. The notification can be customized during setup, while
inputting the ranges for blood pressure alarms. Prior to measuring
the blood pressure, the system can generate a notification,
distinct from other alarms or notifications, regarding an upcoming
blood pressure measurement. The system may further include a second
interface connected to the blood treatment machine that is portable
and configured to notify the operator of an upcoming blood pressure
measurement. Thus, the system, with the second interface, alerts
the operator when the operator is away from the blood treatment
machine. Notifying the operator or user of the upcoming blood
pressure measurement allows the operator or user to go to the
machine and monitor the patient during the blood pressure
measurement.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a blood treatment system 100 that includes a
blood treatment machine (e.g., hemodialysis machine) 102 and a
blood pressure monitoring device 104, connectable to blood
treatment machine 102. Blood pressure monitoring device 104
includes a signal transmitter 106 configured to send signals
containing blood pressure data to blood treatment machine 102.
Blood treatment machine 102 includes a receiver 108, a user
interface 110 (e.g. touchscreen), and a controller 112. Signal
receiver 108 is configured to receive blood pressure data from
blood pressure monitoring device 104, when blood treatment machine
102 and blood pressure monitoring device 104 are connected. In FIG.
1, the blood treatment machine 102 and blood pressure monitoring
device 104 are connected electronically, using an electronic
connector 114. User interface 110 is mounted on or integrated in
blood treatment machine 104 and is operably controlled by
controller 112. Blood treatment machine 102 is programmable to
intervally prompt the connected blood pressure monitoring device
104 to take blood treatment measurements by transmitting a signal
from a signal transmitter 116 of the blood treatment machine to
signal receiver 118 of the blood pressure monitoring device. User
interface 110 is configured to display information related to the
blood pressure data received by receiver 108. Prior to taking the
blood pressure measurement, controller 112 of blood treatment
machine 102 will generate a notification to notify the operator
that the blood pressure measurement is about to occur. The
notification may be visual, auditory, and/or vibrational.
[0037] In operation, a blood pump 120 of blood treatment machine
102 is operated to pump blood through an extracorporeal circuit 120
connected to blood treatment machine 102. More specifically, blood
pump 118 draws blood out of the patient via an arterial patient
line 122 and forces the blood through a blood chamber of a dialyzer
124. As the blood passes through the blood chamber of dialyzer 124,
dialysate passes through a dialysate chamber of dialyzer 124, so
that the blood is cleared of toxins. The cleansed blood then flows
through a venous air trap 126 where any air in the blood is
collected and is returned to the patient via a venous patient line
128. As this occurs, controller 112 maintains a repetitive timer
to, among other things, allow periodic blood pressure measurements
to be automatically carried out. When the timer expires, controller
112 prompts blood pressure monitoring device 104 to measure the
blood pressure of the patient. During setup, the operator may opt
for a notification to alert the operator when the blood pressure
measurement is about to be taken. The operator, for example, may
set the notification time to 10 seconds prior to measuring the
blood pressure. Therefore, 10 seconds before the timer of blood
treatment machine 102 expires, controller 112 generates a
notification alerting the operator that the blood pressure
measurement will begin in 10 seconds, i.e., the set notification
time. The timer expires and controller 112 sends the prompt to
begin the blood pressure measurement via signal transmitter 116 and
electronic connecter 114. Blood pressure monitoring device 104
receives the prompt via signal receiver 118 and begins to measure
blood pressure.
[0038] After the blood pressure measurement is completed, blood
pressure data is transmitted from blood pressure monitoring device
104 to blood treatment machine 102 via signal transmitter 106 and
electronic connecter 114. The transmission of blood pressure data
indicates to blood treatment machine 102 that blood pressure
monitoring device 104 has finished measuring blood pressure. Signal
receiver 108 receives the blood pressure data and user interface
110 then displays the blood pressure data. The notification may
terminate as the timer expires, or continue while measuring the
blood pressure, terminating at completion of measuring the blood
pressure. Additionally, the operator may confirm receipt of the
notification on user interface 110 to terminate the notification.
The timer resets to the original value and begins to count down
again. As before, the notification indicating an upcoming blood
pressure measurement will generate 10 seconds prior to the timer
expiration.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, blood treatment machine 102 also
includes a light column 130 and a speaker 132. The light column 130
contains lights that may also generate a visual notification. Such
a visual notification may flash and/or may include a variety of
colors and lights. The light color notifying the operator of the
blood pressure measurement may be different from other light colors
used for alarms. For instance, the visual notification used for
notifying the operator of a blood pressure measurement may be a
blue light or alternating yellow and green lights, while an alarm
may use a red light. The speaker may be configured to generate an
auditory notification. Such an auditory notification could be a
beep sound, distinct from the alarm sounds of the machine. The
sound may alternatively be a verbal countdown, indicating the time
remaining before the blood pressure measurement will be taken. The
auditory notification may emit a beeping sound that increases in
frequency as specified time 606 decreases. Alternatively, the
vibration alarm may also pulse in increasing frequency as specified
time 606 decreases. A combination of notification types, such as
visual and auditory notifications, may also be used to notify the
operator of an upcoming blood pressure measurement.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a home screen 202 of user interface 110
during a blood treatment. The operator may cause user interface 110
to display different windows by selecting different tabs on the
bottom of the screen. In FIG. 2, home screen 202 is selected. Home
screen 202 displays information regarding the blood treatment, such
as blood pump rate 204, dialysate flow rate 206, and conductivity
levels 208. Additionally, user interface 110 displays blood
pressure information 210. Home screen 202 in FIG. 2 displays blood
pressure information 210 in the upper right hand corner; however,
in other embodiments, the information may be displayed in a
different location on the home screen or on a different window tab.
The blood pressure information includes the time 212 that the most
recent blood pressure measurement was taken, the blood pressure 214
of the most recent measurement, and the heart rate or pulse 216 of
the patient during that measurement. The blood pressure measurement
intervals and additional notification features are customizable on
Blood Pressure tab 216.
[0041] User interface 110 displays a pressure window 302 when Blood
Pressure tab 216 is selected, as shown in FIG. 3. Blood pressure
window 302 is used to set parameters regarding blood pressure
alarms and blood pressure notifications. Blood pressure alarms
occur after taking the blood pressure measurement and, when
generated, indicate that the measured blood pressure is outside a
predefined range. The range can be set in Blood Pressure Alarm
Limits section 304. The intervals at which blood pressure is
measured are defined in Blood Pressure Settings section 306 by
inputting a time into the Interval box 308. The intervals are
inputted as hours:minutes. Under Blood Pressure Settings section
306 is Blood Pressure Notification Settings section 310. In Blood
Pressure Notification Settings section 310 the operator can define
the time at which the controller 112 generates the notification by
inputting a time into "Notification Time before BP Measurement" box
312. The duration of the notification is also customizable by the
operator by inputting a time in "Total Notification Duration" box
314. In FIG. 3, the blood pressure is set to be measured every 15
minutes as indicated by Interval box 308. Controller 112 will
generate the notification 20 seconds before the 15-minute interval
timer expires. Additionally, the notification continues for 30
seconds, i.e., the notification will remain 10 seconds into
measuring the blood pressure before terminating. When "Notification
Time before BP Measurement" box 312 and "Total Notification
Duration" box 314 display equal times, the notification will
terminate when controller 112 sends the prompt to begin measuring
blood pressure, i.e., when the timer expires. When "Notification
Time before BP Measurement" box 312 displays a time greater than
"Total Notification Duration" box 314, the notification will
continue for a time after controller 112 sends the prompt to begin
measuring blood pressure. When "Notification Time before BP
Measurement" box 312 displays a time less than "Total Notification
Duration" box 314, the notification terminates before controller
112 sends the prompt.
[0042] Additionally, Blood Pressure Notification Settings section
310 includes a Notification Type column 316. The notification can
be one or a combination of notification types. In FIG. 3, a user
may choose a type of notification by selecting "Visual" box 318
and/or "Auditory" box 320. Additional types of notifications, such
as vibrational notifications or notifications that generate
external from the blood treatment machine can be chosen by first
selecting "Other" box 322. Boxes 318, 320, and 322 may lead an
operator to a list of available notifications for the selected
notification type.
[0043] Selecting the "Visual" box 318 leads the operator to a list
with multiple forms of visual notifications. The visual
notification list may include an LED visual notification option,
which generates a flashing light on light column 122, and a user
interface notification option, which generates a message on the
user interface 110. After selecting the LED notification off of the
visual notification list, a second menu may appear that allows the
user to further customize the LED notification. The second menu may
include the flashing frequency, the LED color, and optional second,
third, and fourth LED color, the flash length, and the brightness
of the LED. The flashing frequency can be set to high, medium, low,
and gradual increase. The gradual increase option will increase the
frequency of the flash as the notification time decreases. The
light column 130 may include a variety of colored LEDs. The color
options include all available LED colors on the light column 130.
The flash length determines the length of time the LED is on and
the length of time the LED is off. The brightness option allow the
operator to choose how much light the LEDs emit. The operator uses
a slidable toggle to select a brightness or the can choose from a
preset choice of low, medium, or high.
[0044] Selecting the "Auditory" box 320 leads the operator to a
list with multiple forms of auditory notifications. The list may
include a verbal countdown notification, which generates a voice
counting down numerically notifying the operator of the remaining
time until a blood pressure measurement will be taken. The voice
defaults to the language currently used on the machine and will
change if the overall language preference is also changed. The list
may also include a beeping notification, leading the operator to a
second menu. The customizable features of the beeping notification
option are listed in the second menu. The operator may select the
type of beep. The types of beeps include a click, tick tock noise,
a beep noise, or a siren. The operator may select the beeping tone
from high, medium, and low. The operator may also select the
beeping frequency from high, medium, low, and gradual increase. The
gradual increase frequency increases the beeping noise as the
notification time decreases. The operator may further select the
beeping volume from a choice of high, medium, low, and gradual
increase. The gradual increase in volume increases the beeping
noise as the notification time decreases.
[0045] Selecting the "Other" box 322 leads the operator to a list
with multiple forms of vibrational and external notifications. The
vibrational notification list may include a pulsing vibrational
notification option and a steady vibrational notification option.
The operator may select the vibrational pulse frequency from high,
medium, low, and gradual increase. The gradual increase setting
will increase the frequency of the vibrational pulses as the
notification time decreases. The "Other" category may also list
external notification options for connected devices. For example,
the list may include all connected external devices that are
configured to generate a notification. For example, if the blood
pressure monitoring device is configured to generate a
notification, the term "BP monitor" is listed as a connected
external device.
[0046] FIG. 3 also shows a Blood Pressure History section 324 that
includes previous blood pressure measurement information and a
visual graph to plot blood pressure trends.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows home screen 202 on which a visual notification
402 is displayed. Visual notification 402 shows a duration of the
notification 404 that indicates an upcoming blood pressure
measurement. Visual notification 402 displays the notification
duration 404 and prompts the operator to confirm receipt of the
notification. Confirming will clear the notification 402. If
confirmed early, the notification will clear but will not expedite
blood pressure measurement. If left unconfirmed, notification will
terminate at the end of the count down. Leaving the notification
unconfirmed does not delay blood pressure measurement. Visual
notification 402 may blink to attract the attention of the
operator. For example, visual notification 402 may flash for the
last 5 seconds of notification duration 404. As discussed above,
other types of visual notifications, auditory notifications, and/or
other forms of notifications may be used in combination with the
visual notification 402.
[0048] While the various notification devices discussed above are
all part of blood treatment machine 102, notification devices
separate from the blood treatment machine can alternatively or
additionally be used. Similarly, while blood pressure monitoring
device 104 has been described as being connected by wire to blood
treatment machine 102, in certain implementations, wireless
connections can be used. FIG. 5 shows a blood treatment system 500
with a second interface 502 wirelessly connected to blood treatment
machine 102. Additionally, blood treatment machine 102 is
wirelessly connected to blood pressure monitoring device 104.
Second interface 502 may be a tablet, a smart phone, a computer, or
any of various other types of mobile devices. Second interface 502
includes a wireless signal transmitter 504 and a wireless signal
receiver 506. Second interface 502 is connectable to multiple blood
treatment machines. Signal transmitter 504 is configured to send a
signal to a wireless signal receiver 508 of blood treatment machine
102. Signal receiver 506 is configured to receive a signal from a
wireless signal transmitter 516 of blood treatment machine 102.
Second interface 502 shows a display 510 that is unique to a blood
treatment clinic. The blood treatment clinic is identified with a
Dialysis Display 512 and an operator is identified by an Operator
ID 514. A first section 518 in display 510 lists information about
all blood treatment machines in the clinic that are connected to
second interface 502. The information in first section 518,
includes the machine ID number, whether the machine is currently in
use, and if in use, the patient ID of the patient receiving blood
treatment. A second section 520 of display 510 shows a map of the
clinic. The map shows the locations of connected blood treatment
machines as well as the status of the blood treatment machines. The
blood treatment machines performing blood treatment are shaded
while the available blood treatment machines are kept unshaded. The
blood treatment machines on the map are also labelled with the
machine ID number.
[0049] In system 500, blood treatment machine 102 sends a signal to
second interface 502 that indicates blood treatment machine 102
will send blood pressure monitoring device 104 a prompt to begin
blood pressure measurement in a defined amount of time. Second
interface 502 uses a processor 522 to generate an alert to notify
the operator via second interface 502, of an upcoming blood
pressure measurement. The alert may be visual, auditory, or
vibration. An example of a visual alert on display 510 of second
interface 502 is shown in FIG. 6.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a visual alert 602 on the display 510. Visual
alert 602 notifies the operator of a blood treatment machine ID 604
that will measure blood pressure in a specified amount of time 606.
Processor 522 generates visual alert 602 when blood treatment
machine 502 transmits a signal to signal receiver 506 of second
interface 502. The signal contains blood treatment machine ID 604,
specified time 606, and a type of alert for processor 522 to
generate. Blood pressure machine ID 604 is highlighted in first
section 518 and on second section 520 to further help the operator
to identify blood treatment machine.
[0051] In FIG. 6, the alert is a visual alert 602; however, the
second interface 502 may alternatively or additionally be
configured to generate an alert that is auditory and/or
vibrational. The second interface may include speakers 608 and/or
may have vibrational sections (e.g., motors) 610 to alert the
operator of an upcoming blood pressure measurement. The various
types of visual, auditory, and vibration notifications described
above in reference to FIG. 1 can be used with the alerts in second
interface 502. Similarly the alert may also be a combination of
visual, auditory, or vibration alerts.
[0052] In FIG. 6, the type of alert is determined by the signal
sent by blood treatment machine 102. The type of alert is selected
through the "Other" box 322 on user interface 110 of blood
treatment machine 102. In alternative embodiments, the type of
alert is selected through second interface 502.
[0053] During operations described above, both the blood treatment
machine and the second interface notify the operator of an upcoming
blood pressure measurement. The blood treatment machine 102
notifies the operator by generating a visual notification 402 in
FIG. 4 and the blood pressure monitoring device 104 notifies the
operator by generating a visual alert 602. Alternatively or
additionally, the blood treatment machine 102 may use the light
column 116 as a visual notification, the speaker as an auditory
notification, or a combination thereof.
[0054] In another embodiment, only second interface 502 generates
an alert to notify the operator of an upcoming blood pressure
measurement. In this case, blood treatment machine 102 does not
generate a notification. Alternatively, second interface 502 may be
connected to blood treatment machine 102, but does not generate an
alert, while blood treatment machine 102 does generate a
notification.
[0055] While the second interface is described above as a tablet,
it may be a smart phone, computer, or other portable device with a
display, signal transmitter, signal receiver, and processor.
[0056] While the user interface is described above as a
touchscreen, it may also be a conventional display with control
buttons.
[0057] While the blood pressure notification systems has been
described with respect to hemodialysis machines, it may be used in
any of various other types of blood treatment machines, including
hemofiltration machines, hemodiafiltration machines, peritoneal
dialysis machines, etc.
[0058] In blood treatment systems 100, 500 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 5,
blood pressure monitoring device 104 transmits a blood pressure
measurement to blood treatment machine 102. In an alternative
embodiment, the blood pressure monitoring device sends raw blood
pressure data to blood treatment machine 102. In this case, blood
treatment machine 102 receives the raw blood pressure data,
processes the raw data using controller 112, determines the blood
pressure measurement, and displays the blood pressure measurement
on user interface 110. In an alternative embodiment, the blood
pressure monitoring device may also include a processor that
controls an interval timer synchronized with the interval timer of
a connected blood treatment machine. The blood pressure monitoring
device begins measuring blood pressure when prompted by the
processor of the blood pressure monitoring device. The blood
pressure monitoring device then transmits the blood pressure
measurement to the blood treatment machine. The processor of the
blood pressure monitoring device may also be wirelessly connected
to a second interface and configured to transmit a signal prior to
prompting the blood pressure measurement. The signal, transmitting
from the blood pressure monitoring device to receivers on the
second interface and the blood treatment device, prompts the
controller to generate a notification on the blood treatment
machine and prompts a processor on the second interface to generate
an alert on the second interface. The notification and alert
notifies the operator of an upcoming blood pressure measurement.
Alternatively, only the notification or only the alert may be
generated.
[0059] Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been
described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following
claims.
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