WO2002078775A2

WO2002078775A2 - Radio module, respirator, therapeutic device for carrying out cpap treatment and monitoring device therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2002078775A2
Application number: PCT/DE2002/001185
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald Genger; Michael Lauk
Original assignee: Seleon Gmbh
Priority date: 2001-04-02
Filing date: 2002-04-02
Publication date: 2002-10-10
Also published as: WO2002078775A3; AU2002302333A1; DE10291313D2; DE10116361A1

Abstract

The invention relates to further rationalisation in the health-care field. The invention relates in particular to CPAP treatment devices (1, 2), which communicate in a wireless manner with sensor units (12) and monitoring devices (3), to radio modules (6, 13) that are suitable for use in the medical field, to respiratory devices, which likewise communicate in a wireless manner with sensor units and monitoring devices and to an intelligent networking of treatment rooms in a hospital, of a hospital network, of national organisations, of medical establishments and also of domestic environments.

Description

Radio module, respirator, monitoring device therefor; Therapy device for carrying out CPAP therapy, monitoring device therefor; Systems and procedures

The invention relates to a radio module for a sensor family, a respirator and a therapy device, the respirator and therapy device being determined and suitable for wireless communication with sensor units of the sensor family, monitoring devices for the respirator and the therapy device, and systems and methods.

Respirators or respirators for mechanical, artificial ventilation for all forms of oxygen deficiency are known. They are used, among other things, for long-term ventilation, whereby three basic types are distinguished depending on the switching mechanism from in to expiration. With the pressure-controlled respirator, the inspiration phase ends when the device reaches a specified ventilation pressure. The expiration is passive. With the volume-controlled respirator, inspiration ends when a previously set gas volume has left the respirator. Expiration is also passive here. A spirometer is installed in the expiration limb of these devices, which measures the patient's tidal volume. In addition, these devices usually have acoustic or optical alarm signals. Finally, there are time-controlled ventilators in which the gas mixture is released within a previously entered time. The newer types of ventilators have technical, mostly electronically controlled devices that allow a type of ventilation suitable for the patient. For example, the inspiration time can be extended up to three times the expiration time, pressure ventilation can be carried out and the respirator can be "triggered" by the patient, even weak breaths being the impulses for the mechanical support (Röche Lexikon Medizin, 4th edition, published by the Hoffmann-La Röche AG and Urban & Fischer, Urban & Fischer, Munich, Stuttgart, Jena, Lübeck, Ulm).

In addition, devices for carrying out CPAP (continuous positive airway pres sure) therapy are known. The CPAP therapy is in Chest. Volume No. 110, pages 1077-1088, October 1996 and Sleep, Volume No. 19, pages 184-188. A CPAP therapy device is applied by means of a compressor, preferably via a humidifier through a tube and a nasal mask have a positive positive pressure up to about 30 mbar in the patient's airways. This overpressure is intended to ensure that the upper respiratory tract remains fully open throughout the night and thus no obstructive breathing disorders (apneas) occur (DE 19849 571 A1).

Various measurement methods for determining parameters of a patient's body are known in medicine. Electroencephalography (EEG) should be mentioned here first. Bioelectrical potential fluctuations in the brain, i.e. brain electrical activity, are recorded. The measurement is routinely carried out using surface electrodes, but can also be taken from the scalp, for example, in the case of unconscious patients with fine needle electrodes. The recording is carried out simultaneously using 12, 16 or 20 differential amplifiers (“channels”).

An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the bioelectrical potentials or potential differences that arise during the spread of excitation and the regression of the heart. The potentials are measured bipolar or unipolar by electrodes from the surface of the body or directly from the heart, for example in cardiac surgery.

Electromyography (EMG) is the registration of the bioelectrical activity of the muscles. With this method, the potentials are tapped by inserting needle electrodes.

Electrooculography (EOG) records the resting potential of the eye based on the changes in the bioelectric potential difference between the anterior and posterior poles of the eye. The eye forms an electrical dipole, with the cornea positively and the retina negatively charged. The potential changes are reflected in the voltage change in the environment, which in turn can be derived using periocular electrodes (Röche Lexikon Medizin a.a.O.).

Various digital radio transmission methods are known in the prior art. The DECT standard (DECT: digital european codeless telecommunications) works in the frequency band from 1,880 to 1,900 MHz. In this frequency band 10 carrier frequencies with a distance of 1.728 KHz are fixed. Each carrier is divided into 10 ms time frames. Each frame is in turn divided into 24 time slots, of which the first 12 are used for transmission from the base to the handset (downlink) and the second 12 for transmission from the handset to the base (uplink) (time division duplex, TDD). A total of 120 channels are available for each connection direction. In the DECT standard, an average transmission power of 10 mW is used, which results in a range of max. 200 m outdoors and approx. 30 m indoors.

There is also the GSM standard (global system for mobile communications). For GSM communication, the frequency range from 890 to 915 MHz for uplink communication and the frequency range from 935 to 960 MHz for downlink communication are provided. Uplink communication means transmission from the mobile station to the base and downlink communication means the opposite direction of communication. In each frequency band there are 124 channels with a channel spacing of 200 KHz. The carrier frequencies are divided into time frames of 60/13 ms. Each time frame comprises 8 time slots. 116 bits of useful information, such as compressed voice data, can be transmitted in each time slot. In the GSM standard, a power control of at least 20 mW in 2 decibilizing steps is provided. The upper limit is determined by the performance class for mobile stations or by the manufacturer's specification for the base stations. The power classes for handsets from 1 to 5 provide for maximum powers of 20, 8, 5, 2 and 0.8 W.

The DCS 1800 system is closely related to the GSM system. The frequency bands from 1710 to 1785 MHz and 1805 to 1880 MHz are intended for this. Two power classes of 1 and 0.25 W are defined for the DCS 1800.

In addition, the Bluetooth standard was set, which can be downloaded from the Bluetooth website http: Wwww.bluetooth.com. The Bluetooth standard works in most countries except Spain and France in the frequency band from 2.400 to 2.4835 GHz. The Bluetooth system works in the ISM band (ISM = Industrial Scientific Medicine). In this frequency band there are 79 channels on the frequencies 2,402 k MHz (k = 0,1,2, .., 78). The transmission takes place digitally. GSSK (Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying) is used as the type of modulation. There are three power classes, which are determined depending on the maximum transmission power. The maximum output power for classes 1, 2 and 3 is 100 mW, 2.5 mW and 1 mW. A power control is provided for devices of performance class 1, which limits the transmission power above 1 mW. The step size for the power control should be between 8 and 2 dB. To ensure security of use and confidentiality, the Bluetooth system provides an application layer and a link layer. Four different parameters are used to maintain security at the link layer: a public address (called BD_ADDR) that is different for each Bluetooth device, two secret keys, and a random number that is different for each new transaction. The public address is 48 bits long. The private key used for authentication is 128 bits long, the private key used for encryption has a configurable length of 8-128 bits, and the random number (RAND) is also 128 bits long.

It is the object of this invention to specify a radio module, a respirator, a therapy device for carrying out the CPAP therapy and monitoring devices for this, systems and methods in order to make medical devices more user-friendly.

This object is achieved by a radio module according to claim 1, a respirator according to claim 9 or 10, a monitoring device according to claim 17, a therapy device according to claim 21, a monitoring device according to claim 26, systems according to claims 31 and 32 and methods according to claims 35 and 36 solved.

The advantage of the wireless transmission of sensor signals via radio modules is that the tangle of cables, particularly in operating theaters or treatment rooms hospitals, but also at home in the homecare area.

The advantage of the Bluetooth standard is the low transmission power, which, as explained above, is reduced above 1 mW to the power required to maintain the connection. In addition, the measures to ensure the confidentiality of the transmitted data are to be welcomed, particularly in the medical field.

Equipping a radio module with a battery makes it unnecessary to supply the radio module with power via cables and thus also helps to reduce cable clutter. In addition, the integration of a battery allows the outer surfaces of the radio module to be kept as smooth as possible in order to sterilize the radio module by wiping it with sterilizing chemicals.

An advantage of a standardization of the electrical interface and a detachable version of the same is that the radio module can work with an entire family of sensors and can therefore be manufactured cheaper in larger quantities (economies of scale).

An advantage of a unique number of each radio module is that the administration of a large number of radio modules is simplified, for example in a hospital. The number of radio modules to be taken into account is further increased by the fact that preferably devices that are made available to patients for use at home also receive radio modules and these devices come to the hospital from time to time for therapy monitoring. It should also be borne in mind that the mobility of society is increasing, so that a patient can also be cared for in other hospitals, for example on vacation.

An advantage of dividing a sensor unit into a radio module and the actual sensor is that, on the one hand, sterile, disposable radio modules can be used together with sensors that are repeatedly cleaned and sterilized after use. Electronic assemblies, especially those that contain electrolytic capacitors, cannot be used for the thermal sterilization temperatures of at least 120 ° (Röche Lexikon Medizin op. cit.), whereas the sensors do not have to use sensitive electronic components. On the other hand, the expensive radio modules can be chemically sterilized and relatively cheap needle electrodes contaminated with blood can be disposed of.

The advantage of a respirator with a remote control and display unit connected via cable or a radio connection is that the control and display unit can be set up in the neighboring room. In this way, an intensive care unit in which the respirator is used makes a less technical and therefore friendlier impression.

The advantage of the cordless data communication between a respirator and a monitoring device is that the tasks can be divided between the respirator and the monitoring device so that, for example, the respirator takes the short-term measures necessary for life support while the monitoring device provides processed data to a doctor and thus makes it easier for him to make a diagnosis and to choose suitable therapy steps.

The advantage of equipping a respirator with a modem is that the respirator can also be used in the home environment of a patient. With the modem, the respirator can forward trend data or alarms to a medical supply store or a hospital. In this way, care for the severely disabled can be reduced from 24 hours to up to 2 to 3 hours a day.

The connection of some sensors via cable to the respirator has the advantage that it is not necessary to change or charge the batteries in the radio modules of the corresponding sensor units. The sensors that are absolutely necessary for ventilation are preferably connected via cables. Sensor signals that are desirable for diagnosis or therapy can then be supplemented by using cordless sensor units.

Another advantage of using a monitoring device for a respirator or a CPAP therapy device is that the monitoring device is operated by a PC (personal computer), in particular a laptop. In this way, a compromise can be found between the high security requirements placed on respirators and to a lesser extent on CPAP therapy devices and the desirable rapid progress in PCs. High security requirements increase development effort and slow down progress. Nowadays, PCs are manufactured in large numbers and therefore inexpensively. Smaller devices, such as palmtops or organizers with an integrated mobile phone, are also increasingly being used. However, reliability is not the top development goal in the PC world. The advantage for the patient is therefore that the respirator may maintain the vital functions at the state of medicine from fifteen years ago 100% of the time, while a version of the software in the monitoring device which is updated at short intervals may perhaps keep the respirator working increases to the current state of knowledge of medicine in 98% of the time.

It is also advantageous that the number of respirators or CPAP therapy devices should be adapted to the number of patients, while the number of monitoring devices can correlate to the number of doctors and / or nurses in a ward or in a hospital. In this way, the senior physician, doctor and clinician - each on his laptop - can look at the data of a respirator at the same time and make the diagnosis together and determine the therapy steps. On the other hand, a doctor on call can monitor several respirators.

This cooperation is achieved through a unique number of each radio module and thus every device that is equipped with a radio module, as is provided for in the Bluetooth standard, for example.

Through direct radio communication between a monitoring device and cordless sensor units - i.e. without a detour via a respirator or a CPAP therapy device - parameters of the patient's body that have previously been neglected can advantageously be flexibly detected and, based on these, using the monitoring device, for example, a control program for the patient Respirator can be revised without changing the Respirator software. An advantage of a CPAP therapy device with a radio module is that each patient can bring his CPAP therapy device to the hospital for initial adjustment or for therapy control. This reduces the effort for disinfecting a hospital CPAP therapy device. The radio module enables wireless communication between the hospital infrastructure and the CPAP therapy device, which eliminates the need for sterilization for connectors and prevents contamination of the CPAP therapy device by non-sterile connectors.

The advantage of supplementing a CPAP therapy device with cordless sensor units is a more reliable diagnosis and the simple collection of diagnostic data or anonymized research data.

An advantage of equipping a CPAP therapy device with a modem is the increased safety of the patient through the possibility of automatically issuing alarms and the possibility of performing remote therapy monitoring by forwarding trend data.

The advantage of assigning a unique number for each therapy device, as is ensured, for example, by the Bluetooth standard, is that the therapy device can be reliably recognized in the hospital and thus the original setting and later therapy control by means of the patient's own CPAP therapy device can be carried out more easily. The patient is also not forced to always go to the same hospital. Rather, he can also be looked after at the holiday location, for example.

An advantage of the use of monitoring devices in connection with CPAP therapy devices is that, by suitable programming, the monitoring device can be designed in such a way that it can monitor several CPAP therapy devices and thus several places in a sleep laboratory. In this way, staff deployment in the sleep laboratory can be optimized and thereby reduced.

An advantage of implementing the monitoring device using a laptop with suitable software is that the software is updated at short intervals can. It is thus possible to participate in medical progress even after the initial investment of the hardware and, over time, to enlarge the CPAP devices monitored by a monitoring device, for example.

A further automation of hospital operations is advantageous in the networking of one or more respirators, a server that manages a database, and several clients. In this way, trend data from earlier examinations or therapeutic measures can also be stored in an electronic medical record, and later diagnoses can be made on the basis of an extensive database, so that they are more reliable.

The connection of a CPAP therapy device has the same purpose. Anonymizing data has the purpose of providing medical research with the required extensive database, in particular for statistical evaluations.

An advantage of analyzing trend data in a server is that a large number of patients can be treated, cared for and monitored using relatively simple devices in their home environment.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show:

1, two CPAP setting stations and a monitoring device,

2 shows a CPAP therapy device which is connected to the public telephone network via a modem,

3 shows a sensor unit consisting of a radio module and a sensor module with connected electrodes,

4 shows a flow sensor unit with a radio module with an integrated power supply, 5 shows an electrical connection between the radio module and the sensor module via plugs and sockets,

6 shows an electrical connection between the radio module and the sensor module via spring pins and flat contacts,

7 shows a ventilation station with a respirator and two monitoring computers,

8 shows a network between clinic, health insurance company, medical supply store and private apartments for patients.

Fig. 1 shows a first CPAP setting station 1, a second CPAP setting station 2 and a monitoring device 3, which is designed as a laptop. Each CPAP setting station consists of a CPAP therapy device and a patient 19. The CPAP therapy device in turn comprises a compressor 4, a tube 9, a respiratory mask 18 and several sensors. A pressure sensor 11 is shown as an example and is connected to the compressor 4 via a measuring line 10. To generate an overpressure, the compressor contains a turbine 8. An air humidifier can also be provided, which is either integrated in the compressor or is arranged as an external device between the compressor outlet and respiratory mask 18.

The compressor is also equipped with a radio module 6, which preferably works according to the Bluetooth standard. Furthermore, a modem 7 can be provided in the compressor for connecting the compressor to the public switched telephone network (PSTN: public switched telephone network) (cf. FIG. 2). Both therapy devices are complemented by a cordless flow sensor unit. The CPAP therapy device can be supplemented with sensor units for EEG, EMG, EKG, EOG signals instead of or in addition to the flow sensor unit 12 (cf. FIG. 7). Furthermore, cordless sensor units can be provided for recording the respiratory volume, the air pressure with which the patient is being ventilated, or the patient's blood oxygen content. The sensor units are preferably divided into a radio module 13 and a sensor module 16. An antenna 14 belongs to the radio module, the actual sensor to the sensor module, which is shown as an example in FIG. 1 as heating wire 17. The monitoring device 3 is also equipped with a radio module which can transmit and receive data via the antenna 20. All radio modules work according to the same standard, preferably the Bluetooth standard. The sensor units send the data they send both to the radio modules 6 in the compressors and to the radio module in the monitoring device. In addition, the monitoring device can exchange data with the compressors by radio. A controller provided in the compressor can output the measured values of all sensors connected to it via cable and of the sensor units connected to it wirelessly via radio contact to the monitoring device upon request or unsolicited. The monitoring device can therefore access the data measured by the sensor units directly or indirectly via the radio module 6 of the compressor.

On the other hand, the monitoring device 3 can control the actuators of the compressors by radio. This is essentially the turbine 8 in each compressor, but can also be the temperature of the water bath of an air humidifier integrated in a compressor or an external air humidifier also connected via radio.

1 shows an example of the situation in a sleep laboratory in a hospital. Here, as many patients as possible are set on your CPAP devices with the least possible use of personnel. Every doctor monitors as many CPAP setting stations as possible with his monitoring device.

On the other hand, several monitoring devices can also be provided, for example for training or further training of doctors. At the beginning of a training measure, instructors and trainees can use two monitoring devices to hire a patient. Later, the trainee can monitor a small group of patients and the trainer can monitor a total of several small groups by looking up the data of different patients one after the other. ducks from different small groups on his monitor.

Each radio module preferably has a unique number, as is provided in the Bluetooth standard. This simplifies communication between the patient's CPAP devices and the hospital monitoring devices. Every patient who is treated in the hospital with his own CPAP device or undergoes a therapy check saves the hospital from having to disinfect an in-house CPAP therapy device. The assignment of a unique number to each radio module of the sensor units and the monitoring devices also simplifies the simultaneous operation of several cordless sensor units and several monitoring devices in a confined space.

Antennas 5, 14 and 20 are shown as projecting rods for illustration purposes only. A half-wave dipole has a length of approx. 6 centimeters at 2.4 GHz. Therefore, the antennas are preferably installed concealed in the devices so that, above all, the radio modules of the sensor units have surfaces that are as smooth and easy to clean as possible.

Fig. 2 shows the use of a CPAP therapy device in a home environment. Here, preferably no sensor units connected via radio are used in order to avoid changing or recharging the batteries in the radio modules. A controller in the compressor controls the mode of operation of the CPAP therapy device. In particular, the speed of the turbine and optionally the temperature of a humidifier are controlled. Optionally, the controller determines trend data from the sensor signals, which it transmits via the modem 7 and the public telephone network PSTN to a server 94 in the hospital or to a server 96 of a national organization, for example a health insurance company or also to a medical supply store 101 (cf. . 8th).

Trend data refers to data obtained from the measurement data of the sensors, but the amount of data is significantly reduced, for example, by averaging. For example, the sensor signal is digitized at a sampling rate of 1 KHz. One breathing process takes approx. 4 seconds and therefore comprises 4000 Readings. The average respiratory rate from 100 to 1000 breathing cycles is calculated as trend data. Alternatively, the oxygen saturation can be averaged over a certain time or the number of apneas in a predetermined period can be determined as trend data.

The controller can also determine alarms in the compressor if, for example, the number of apneas increases sharply. The alarms can also be forwarded to a responsible point via the modem 7 and the public telephone network (PSTN).

The modem can be designed for an analog telephone connection, an ISDN connection or a DSL connection. Furthermore, the modem can be a mobile phone unit, so that the trend data and / or alarms are transmitted to a suitable server via a D or E network.

FIG. 3 shows a sensor unit 32 for measuring EEG, EMG, EKG or EOG signals. The sensor unit 32 consists of a radio model 33 with an antenna

34 and a sensor module 35 with the associated electrodes. The electrodes can be designed as adhesive electrodes 36 or needle electrodes 37. Instead of the adhesive electrodes 36, flat electrodes can also be fixed on the skin differently than by adhesive. WO 00/66209, for example, describes how flat electrodes are attached to the patient's forehead by a suitably shaped face mask. The section 38 relates to the electrical interface between the radio module 33 and the sensor module 35 and is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

As already mentioned in connection with FIG. 1, the antenna 34 is drawn only as an example as projecting from the radio module. In the preferred frequency range, the length of a half-wave dipole is a good six centimeters, so that the antenna is preferably integrated into the radio module, and sharp edges between the antenna and radio module that are difficult to clean are avoided in this way.

In the case of EEG, EMG, EKG or EOG sensor units, the sensor module contains

35 preferably no electronic components, but only serves for the mechanical combination of the various electrodes 36 and 37 It is possible in this way to use heat-resistant materials, so that the sensor module with the electrodes can be thermally sterilized. In another preferred embodiment, the sensor module contains only resistors and ICs, for example operational amplifiers with MIL specification, which can operate at up to 5 200 ° C. The electrolytic capacitors required in terms of circuitry are installed in the corresponding radio module. A sensor module constructed in this way can also be thermally sterilized.

FIG. 4 again shows the flow sensor unit 12 described in connection with FIG. 1. FIG. 4 in particular indicates that the radio module preferably has its own power supply in the form of a battery 40. In particular, the lithium-ion batteries known from laptops and mobile phones enable long operating times. In order to avoid opening the radio module for as long as possible, the radio module can furthermore be equipped with a coil 41 in order to “recharge” the battery 40 “cordlessly”. The rectification of the alternating current supplied by the coil is preferably carried out via a bridge rectifier is shown as an example, but only a one-way rectification via diode 42.

5 and 6 explain two embodiments for the electrical connection between the sensor module and the radio module. This electrical connection can be implemented in a conventional manner by means of plugs 51 and sockets 52, as shown in FIG. 5. The advantage of this embodiment is the relatively large areas on which plugs and sockets touch, even with very small designs. This guarantees a safe contact. 5

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, contact pins 62 are pressed onto flat contacts 63 by springs 61. The advantage of this embodiment is that by lowering the contacts 63, a flat surface 64 is obtained which can be easily disinfected by chemical means. In order to avoid contact problems, the flat contacts 63 and the contact pins 62 are preferably gold-plated. Plugs 51 and sockets 52 can also be gold-plated.

7 shows a ventilation station 70 as used in intensive care units. The ventilation station consists of a respirator 74, an inspiratory tube 86, an expiration tube 87, a respiratory mask 83, several sensor units 78, 80 and 81 as well as one or more monitoring devices 71 or 72. The essential components of the respirator 74 are a turbine 75 for generating an overpressure and an inspiration and expiration valve 76 or 77 for controlling the inhalation or exhalation of the patient 85.

Sensor 78 measures the pressure in the inspiration tube and is connected to the respirator via measuring line 79. The flow sensor unit 80 sends the signals it has measured via its radio module to the radio module 86 of the respirator 74. The EEG sensor unit 81 measures EEG signals on the patient's forehead via electrodes 82 and also transmits them wirelessly to the respirator 74 if the patient 85 is a more seriously ill patient than the patient 19 shown in FIG. 1, an additional sensor module is shown in FIG. 7 by way of example.

The advantage of radio data transmission from the sensor modules to the respirator is that 85 sensor modules can be added or removed flexibly depending on the patient's clinical picture. In particular, the sensor modules 80 and 81 can be omitted and / or can be supplemented by further sensor units for EEG, EMG, EKG, EOG signals for the respiratory volume or for the blood oxygen content. The sensor modules shown in FIG. 7 are also preferably constructed as described in FIGS. 3 to 6.

In addition, two monitoring devices 71 and 72 are shown as examples. The same applies to the monitoring devices as was said in connection with monitoring device 3 in FIG. 1. They are also equipped with a radio module, which is indicated by the antennas 84. In contrast to monitoring device 3, monitoring devices 71 or 72 are equipped with software for controlling one or more respirators. However, a monitoring device can have both software for controlling respirators and software for controlling CPAP therapy devices. Since in intensive care units and the respirators used here, it is not so much the inexpensive handling of a large number of patients, but rather the quick establishment of a reliable diagnosis and the closely associated taking of suitable therapy steps in the foreground, two monitoring devices are shown in FIG. 7, but these can be flexibly supplemented by further monitoring devices. This allows several doctors to take care of the patient at the same time, especially shortly after the patient has been admitted. It should also be mentioned that, especially in the case of stroke patients, taking the right therapeutic steps quickly can sometimes make subsequent rehabilitation measures superfluous, so that intensive care for the patient can save costs in the first few hours. The flexible addition of sensor units to ventilation stations means that fewer sensor units have to be kept in the hospital for several ventilation stations than when the sensors are connected via cable.

As explained in connection with FIG. 1, a unique number is preferably assigned to each radio module, be it that it is contained in a sensor unit, in the respirator or in a monitoring device, and the Bluetooth standard is used.

Also at the ventilation station 70, the respirator 74 sends the sensor signals transmitted to it by cable or by radio or unsolicited to the monitoring devices 71 and 72 via its radio module. Conversely, the monitoring devices 71 and 72 control the actuators via radio via the radio module 86 of the respirator 74 of the respirator 74. These are essentially the turbine 75 and the valves 76 and 77. The respirator 74 preferably also contains an air humidifier, so that the temperature of the water bath of the air humidifier is also controlled by the monitoring devices 71 and 72. However, the respirator checks the control signals emitted by the monitoring devices 71 and 72 and, if necessary, corrects them in order in any case to maintain the vital functions of the patient. The monitoring devices 71 and 72 are in fact preferably laptops which are less reliable than the components used in the respirator 74. The monitoring devices can also receive sensor signals directly from the cordless sensor units 80 and 81 and take them into account when controlling the respirator. In addition, the respirator can determine trend data from the sensor signals it evaluates and send it to the monitoring devices. FIG. 8 shows the networking of treatment devices in the hospital, a hospital network, of national organizations, medical supply stores and therapy devices in the patient's home environment. As an example of a treatment device in the hospital, the respirator 91 is shown in an intensive care unit 90 together with several sensors 93 connected by radio. The operating and display unit for the respirator 91 is preferably connected to the latter by cable or by radio. The Bluetooth standard is preferably used for a connection via radio. The operating and display unit is not in the sick room of intensive care unit 90, but in a neighboring room in order to give the intensive care unit a more human, less technical appearance.

The ventilator 91 is connected to a server 94 of the hospital. A hospital database is stored on the server 94 and can be accessed by a large number of clients 95 via the hospital network. The connection between server 94 and respirator 91 can be made, for example, via a Bluetooth radio connection. Alternatively, the respirator 91 can also have an Internet connection, so that it can be connected directly to the hospital network. The hospital server 94 is connected to the server 96 of a national organization, for example a health insurance company.

20

There are also areas 97 and 99 at home. The main focus is on patients who traditionally require 24-hour care. By using more intelligent technology, it will be possible to reduce the number of nursing hours required per day for some of these patients. Respiratory equipment equipped with modems is shown as an example in 25 areas 97 and 99, which is evident from the inspiration and expiration tubing. The modems can be connected via the conventional telephone network or also via mobile radio networks to the server 96 via connection 98 or to the medical supply store 101 via connection 100, as was explained above in connection with FIG. 2.

30

One or more servers for recording, processing and forwarding the data are provided in the medical supply store 101. Medical center 101 is connected

102 in connection with the server 96. In addition, the connections

103 between a domestic area 97 and a hospital server 94 and 35 104 between the medical supply store 101 and the server 94. Both Connections 103 and 104 can be physical connections or virtual connections. In the latter case, the data are sent from the medical supply store 101 and from the domestic area 97 to the server 96, cached there, if necessary, and forwarded to the server 94 via the connection 105.

The respirator 91 in the clinic and the devices in the domestic areas 97 and 99 are preferably equipped with embedded PCs which pre-evaluate the sensor and control data, that is to say generate trend data, and this via the connections 106 to the hospital server 94, the connection Forward 98 to the national server 96 or via connection 100 to the medical supply store. The trend data stored on the server 94 can be forwarded via the connection 105 to the national server 96 in order to make the patient data available centrally for other hospitals, for example at the holiday location or for doctors in different practices. In order to ensure the confidentiality of the data, the connection 105 and the other connections 98, 100, 102, 103 and 104 are secure connections.

Although a respirator 91 is shown as an example in FIG. 8, the measurement data of other therapy and diagnostic devices can also be made available nationwide in order to save money by avoiding double examinations. In addition, the provision of x-ray images of the patients across regions is particularly advantageous because the avoidance of x-ray examinations can also reduce the radiation exposure for the patient. Finally, the data can also be stored anonymously on the national server 96. This also enables smaller hospitals to access extensive (anonymized) patient data and thus increases the attractiveness of small hospitals for the next generation of doctors.

The trend data transmitted from the domestic areas 97 or 99 to the clinic server 94, the national server 96 or the medical supply store can be further analyzed in the respective facilities either automatically or with the participation of a doctor, a nurse or a carer. This analysis can result in an alarm so that an ambulance is sent to the patient. Alternatively, the trend data can be used for ongoing therapy monitoring without the patient having to leave his home.

If the domestic area 99 is initially connected to a medical supply store 101, in a preferred embodiment the medical supply store analyzes the trend data coming from the patient to such an extent that only alarms are passed on via the connections 102 or 104.

The advantage of the interposition of medical supply stores is that less qualified personnel can be deployed in these facilities than, for example, in hospitals. Typically, nurses work in medical supply stores who consult a doctor if the patient has acute complaints.

The invention was previously explained in more detail on the basis of preferred embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection is determined by the following claims and their equivalents.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 first CPAP setting station 35 41 coil

5 2 second CPAP setting station 42 diode

3 monitoring device 51 connector

4 compressor 52 sockets

5 antenna 61 springs

6 radio module 40 62 contact pins

10 7 Modem 63 contacts

8 turbine 64 flat surface

9 tube 70 ventilation station

10 measuring line 71 first monitoring device

11 Pressure sensor 45 72 second monitoring device

15 12 Flow sensor unit 73 respirator

13 radio module 74 turbine

14 Antenna (flow sensor unit) 75 inspiration valve

15 battery 76 expiration valve

16 sensor module 50 77 valve

20 17 heating wire 78 pressure gauge

18 Respiratory mask 79 measuring line

19 Sleeping 80 flow sensor unit

20 Antenna 81 EEG sensor unit

21 Connection to the telephone network 55 82 adhesive electrodes

25 (PSTN) 83 ventilation mask

32 sensor module (EEG, EMG, 84 antennas

EOG, EKG) 85 patients

33 radio module 86 radio module

34 Antenna 60 87 expiration tube

30 35 Sensor module 88 inspiration hose

36 adhesive electrodes 90 intensive care clinic

37 needle electrodes 91 respirator

38 electrical connection 92 control and display unit

40 power supply (battery) 93 Sen100 telephone connection units 101, medical supply store, connected via radio

94 Server with hospital data 102 Connection to the health insurance bank (alarms) 95 clients 15 103 Connection to the hospital

96 national servers e.g. the 104 connection to the hospital

Health insurance 105 connection server health

97 domestic area house to server 96

98 telephone connection 106 connection respirator server 99 domestic area 20 hospital

Claims

claims

1. radio module (13; 33) for a sensor (17; 36, 37), the radio module having a detachable electrical interface (38) to the sensor, the sensor (17; 36, 37) parameters on the body of a patient ( 19; 85), the radio module (13; 33) digitizing the output signal of the sensor and the radio module sending the digitized data.

2. Radio module (13; 33) according to claim 1, characterized in that the radio module operates according to the Bluetooth standard.

3. Radio module (13; 33) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the radio module has a battery (40).

4. Radio module (13; 33) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the measured parameters EEG, EMG, EKG, EOG signals, the patient's breathing volume, the air pressure with which the patient is ventilated, or include the blood oxygen content.

5. Radio module (13; 33) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the radio module is largely smooth on the outside (64) and is protected against splash water.

6. radio module (13; 33) according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that the electrical interface (38) is detachable and standardized, so that different types of sensors, for example for measuring EEG, to a radio module (13; , EMG, EKG, EOG signals, the patient's breathing volume, the air pressure with which the patient is being ventilated, or the blood oxygen content can be connected.

7. Radio module (13; 33) according to one of the above claims, characterized in that the radio module has a unique number by which it differs from all other radio modules.

8. Sensor unit comprising a radio module according to one of claims 1 to 7 and an EEG, EMG, EKG, EOG sensor, a respiratory volume sensor, an air pressure sensor or a blood oxygen sensor.

9. respirator (91), characterized in that an operating and display unit (92) is connected to the respirator (91) via a cable or via radio.

10. Respirator (74; 91) for ventilating a patient with: a turbine (75); a first valve (76); characterized in that the respirator (74; 91) further comprises: a radio module (86) via which the respirator (74; 91) receives the necessary data about the condition of the patient in order to operate the turbine (75) and the first valve ( 76) to control correctly.

11. Respirator (74; 91) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the respirator (74; 91) wirelessly exchanges data, in particular trend data, via its radio module (86) with a monitoring device (71, 72) and a second valve ( 77).

12. Respirator (74; 91) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the respirator (74; 91) is equipped with a modem, wherein the respirator extracts trend data from the data about the condition of the patient and wherein the trend data via the modem to another monitoring device such as transmits the server of a hospital (94), a health insurance company (96) or a medical supply store (101).

13. Respirator (74; 91) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the data on the condition of the patient are recorded by sensor units (12; 81; 93) equipped with radio modules according to one of claims 1 to 7 are.

14. respirator (74; 91) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the radio module operates according to the Bluetooth standard.

15. Respirator (74; 91) according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the respirator (74; 91) is connected to a sensor (78) via cable.

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16. Respirator (74; 91) according to any one of claims 11 to 15, as far as they relate directly or indirectly to claim 11, characterized in that the respirator (74; 91) from the monitoring device (71, 72) instructions for controlling its Turbine (75) and its valve (76, 77) receives.

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17. Monitoring device (71, 72), characterized in that it has a radio module in order to exchange data with a respirator (74; 91) according to claims 11 to 16, insofar as they refer to claim 11, whereby the monitoring device has indirect access on the data on the condition of the patient

15 ducks and can influence the control of the turbine (75) and the valve (76, 77) in the respirator (74; 91).

18. Monitoring device (71, 72) according to claim 17, characterized in that the monitoring device (71, 72) of the wireless sensor units (12;

20 81; 93), which are equipped with radio modules according to one of Claims 1 to 7, receive transmitted data directly, analyze them and take them into account when generating control data for the respirator (74; 91).

19. Monitoring device (71, 72) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the monitoring device is implemented by a laptop with suitable software.

20. Monitoring device (71, 72) according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the monitoring device has a plurality of respirators (74; 91)

30 according to one of claims 10 to 16, as far as it relates indirectly or directly to claim 10, the operator being able to monitor the respirators (74; 91) to be monitored from the plurality of respirators (74; 91) on the monitoring device. selects that can be reached by radio.

21. Therapy device for carrying out the CPAP therapy, characterized in that the compressor (4) is equipped with a radio module (6) via which the therapy device can receive signals for controlling the turbine speed of the turbine (8) belonging to the compressor.

22. Therapy device according to claim 21, characterized in that the therapy device uses sensors (11) to determine measured values which it can output via the radio module, the measured values being the excess pressure generated by the turbine, the turbine speed, the power consumption of the turbine and the tidal volume of the May include patients.

23. Therapy device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the therapy device is supplemented during a setting phase by cordless sensor units (12; 81; 93) according to claim 8, measure the additional measured variables of the patient's body and the signals measured by them to the Transfer therapy device.

24. Therapy device according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the radio module (6) operates according to the Bluetooth standard.

25. Therapy device according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the therapy device comprises a modem (7), the therapy device determining trend data and / or alarms from the patient's data available to it and the trend data or alarms via the modem (7) and the public telephone network (PSTN) to a monitoring device such as a server of a hospital (94), a health insurance company (96) and / or a medical supply store (101) is transmitted.

26. Monitoring device (3), characterized in that it has a radio module in order to exchange data with a therapy device according to claims 21 to 25, whereby the monitoring device has indirect access to the data about the condition of the patient and to the control of the turbine in the Therapy device can influence.

27. Monitoring device (3) according to claim 26, characterized in that the monitoring device (3) receives the data sent by cordless sensor units (12; 81; 93) according to claim 8, analyzed and taken into account when generating control data for the therapy device ,

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28. Monitoring device (3) according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the monitoring device (3) is realized by a laptop with suitable software.

29. Monitoring device (3) according to one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the monitoring device (3) can monitor a plurality of therapy devices according to one of claims 21 to 25, the operator on the monitoring device (3) being able to be monitored Selects therapy devices from the multitude of therapy devices that can be reached via radio.

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30. Monitoring device according to one of claims 17 to 20 and 26 to 29, characterized in that the radio module in the monitoring device operates according to the Bluetooth standard.

31. A system with a respirator (91), a database which is stored on a server (96) and a plurality of clients (95), trend data being transmitted from the respirator (91) to the server (96) in which Database are stored and can be called up by the clients (95).

25 32. System with a CPAP therapy device, a database which is stored on a server (96), and a plurality of clients (95), with trend data being transmitted from the CPAP therapy device to the server (96) in the database and can be called up by the clients (95).

33. System according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the data stored in the database are anonymized.

34. System according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the server checks the trend data transmitted to it for critical situations and, if a critical situation arises, the server sends an alarm to a server (94) in a hospital.

35. A method for measuring parameters on a patient's body (19; 85) with the steps:

Removing a sterile radio module from a packaging; Assembling a sterilized sensor with the sterile radio module; Performing the measurement on the patient or treating the patient; Throwing away the radio module; Sterilize the sensor; and

Repeat the steps on the next patient.

36. A method for measuring parameters on a patient's body (19; 85), comprising the steps of: removing a sterile sensor from a packaging;

Assembling the sterile sensor with a sterilized radio module;

Performing the measurement on the patient or treating the patient;

Throwing away the sensor;

Sterilize the radio module and repeat the steps on the next patient.