JP3845596B2 - Nurse call system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a nurse call system that is installed in a medical facility such as a hospital or a nursing home and calls a nurse when an inpatient is required.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a wired type and a wireless type are known as nurse call systems for a patient to call a nurse or the like by their own operation. Wired nurse call systems are widely used. For example, in a hospital room, a nurse call terminal is provided on the console panel provided on the wall near each bed, connected to the nurse station via wire. A nurse call cable connection terminal having a call button is detachably connected to the nurse call terminal, and a nurse station is called by pressing the call button.
[0003]
Further, in the wireless nurse call system, basically, a radio transmitter having a transmission switch for calling is carried by an inpatient, and a transmission radio wave transmitted by operating the transmission switch is transmitted to a nurse station, for example. The nurse station is directly called by radio.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional wired nurse call system, the nurse call cable used by inpatients is relatively long, just a few meters. It may get in the way, or the call button at the tip may move to a place where it is difficult to operate, and depending on the patient, it may become impossible to operate.
[0005]
Also, if an extra cable is wrapped around the side fence of the bed, etc., for example, when changing the posture of the bed, the cable is pulled and the cable is disconnected, or the connection between the cable and the connection terminal is disconnected or contacted The nurse call cable may become unusable due to a malfunction. Such nurse call cable damage accidents are increasing as the number of electric beds that can easily change the posture of the bed increases.
[0006]
On the other hand, since the wireless nurse call system uses radio waves, there is no problem in using the above nurse call cable. However, in the conventional wireless nurse call system described above, Since the distance from the bed to the wireless receiver becomes long, a wireless transmitter carried by the patient requires a relatively high output, and the radio wave transmitted from each wireless transmitter is used to identify the patient. Need to be identified. For this reason, it is expensive to construct a system, and it is difficult to ensure security.
[0007]
In other words, when adopting a wireless nurse call system, if you are using various devices that may be affected by transmitted radio waves, regardless of whether they are for personal use or installed, the transmission of radio waves It must be completely confirmed that it does not cause malfunction of the equipment. However, the confirmation is extremely difficult in consideration of changes in various usage conditions of the device. Therefore, the current situation is that the adoption of the wireless nurse call system is not complete.
[0008]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such points is to solve the problems in both conventional wired and wireless nurse call systems, and in particular, to the existing wired nurse call system simply and at low cost. It is to provide a nurse call system based on a wireless system.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The nurse call system according to claim 1, which achieves the above object.
A transmission unit that has a transmission switch for calling and transmits a weak radio wave of a predetermined frequency by operating the transmission switch;
An insertion plug that can be inserted into an outlet provided on a panel for communication or electrical connection installed for each patient bed is integrally formed, and each patient bed as a wired connection terminal to the nurse station. a connection terminal to be connected to each nurse call terminal installed in, said transmission unit of the patient is placed so as to form a transmission portion and a pair of front Symbol each patient was mobile in the vicinity of the nurse call terminal And a receiving section that calls the nurse station via the connection terminal, the nurse call terminal, and the wire.
[0010]
According to the invention of claim 1, the transmission unit is carried by a patient, insert the receiver into an outlet of a plug for electrical connection is provided thereto, by connecting the connection terminals to the nurse call terminal of wired Since it is installed, the nurse call cable in the conventional wired type nurse call system becomes unnecessary, and the occurrence of the various problems due to the presence of the cable is solved. Furthermore, since conventional wired communication is performed from the nurse call terminal to the nurse center, transmission by radio waves is connected to the transmitter carried by each patient and each receiver installed in the vicinity of the nurse call terminal. Between and only.
In general, nurse call terminals and AC outlets are provided on a panel for communication or electrical connection, generally called a console panel, installed on the pillow side wall of each patient's bed. . Therefore, since the receiving unit is installed in the vicinity of the nurse call terminal, the situation of wireless communication between the transmitting unit on the bed and the receiving unit at the bedside is achieved. That is, the patient and the nurse center are connected by using weak radio waves that can be communicated between the transmitter on the bed and the receiver at the bedside. As a result, the advantage of cordless and the elimination of the influence on other electronic devices due to radio waves can be reliably achieved.
[0011]
As a result, the nurse call terminal is usually near the location used by the patient, so that the radio wave transmitted from the transmitter is also weak, and it is easy to confirm that there is no effect on other electronic devices. Become. That is, it is easy to check only within the communication range of the weak radio wave as described above. As a result, a wireless nurse call system can be introduced and can be easily connected to an existing wired nurse call system, so that it can be introduced at low cost.
[0013]
The nurse call system according to claim 2 is:
The receiving unit includes a relay that is energized by receiving radio waves from the transmitting unit, and is configured to call a nurse station by turning on a relay contact by energizing the relay.
According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus and to reduce power consumption. Therefore, particularly when a battery is used, the apparatus can be used stably over a long period of time.
[0017]
The nurse call system according to claim 3 ,
The receiver has a terminal receiver connected to the nurse call terminal, and a connection terminal of a nurse call cable having a conventional call button is detachably connected to the terminal receiver to operate the call button. It is also characterized by being able to call nurse stations.
[0018]
Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to use the conventional wired nurse call system while having the above-described various advantages. As a result, for example, an attendant or the like can operate the call button of the nurse cord cable, and usability is improved.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a nurse call system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in-patient 2 carries transmitter 3 in hospital room 1. A so-called console panel 5 corresponding to the bed 4 is provided near the patient's pillow side of the bed 4 used by the patient 2. The receiving unit 7 is connected to the jack type nurse call terminal 6 of the console panel 5.
[0024]
The nurse call terminal 6 is used in a normal wired nurse call system, and is connected to a nurse station (not shown) via a wire. The console panel 5 is a panel used for communication, electrical connection, and display.
[0025]
The transmitter 3 is formed in a shape that is easy to carry and operate according to the illness of the patient 2. Here, the transmitter 3 is formed in a wristwatch type that is worn on the arm of the patient 2. The transmission unit 3 incorporates a transmission circuit and a battery, and a push button type transmission switch 11 is provided outside as shown in FIG. 2, and the transmission circuit is operated by the battery by operating the transmission switch 11. Driven to transmit a non-directional weak radio wave having a predetermined frequency from the transmission circuit. Here, the frequency of the transmission radio wave is, for example, an arbitrary frequency in the 300 MHz band or 400 MHz band, and the transmission output is an output in which the radio wave reach is about 3 m within the range of the weak radio wave, for example, about 1 mW. The transmitter 3 is not limited to the type attached to the arm (wrist), and various types can be applied as long as the transmitter can be carried by the patient and the switch can be operated. Is possible.
[0026]
FIG. 3 specifically shows the installation of the receiving unit 7 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the main body is formed in a small AC adapter type having an insertion plug 21 integrally. The receiving unit 7 incorporates a power supply circuit, a receiving circuit, and a relay for converting an AC voltage supplied via the plug 21 into a predetermined DC voltage, and an antenna 22 is provided outside the connecting circuit. In addition, a plug-type connection terminal 24 is provided which is connected to an internal relay contact via a cord 23 and is detachably connected to the jack-type nurse call terminal 6.
[0027]
Installation is performed by inserting the plug 21 into an AC outlet 25 provided on the console panel 5 and inserting the connection terminal 24 into the nurse call terminal 6. In the present embodiment, the receiving circuit is adjusted so as to receive only radio waves of a predetermined frequency transmitted from the transmitting unit 3, but such a setting is not necessarily required, and the receiving circuit is not provided in an adjacent bed. It is also possible to use what is common with what is installed. That is, since the communication is based on weak radio waves, a common one is sufficient as long as the distance relationship that only the transmitting unit and the receiving unit corresponding to each bed can transmit and receive can be maintained.
[0028]
In this way, the receiving unit 7 receives only the radio wave of a predetermined frequency transmitted from the transmitting unit 3 by the receiving circuit, thereby energizing the relay and turning on (closing) the relay contact to be a nurse station. To call. In this way, communication after the nurse call terminal 6 is wired communication that has been conventionally installed.
[0029]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a jack-type terminal receiver 26 is provided on the main body of the receiving unit 7. The terminal receiver 26 is connected in parallel with the relay contact, so that it is connected to the connection terminal 24 via the cord 23, and a plug type connection of an existing nurse call cable 28 having a call button 27 is connected to the terminal receiver 26. The terminal 29 can be detachably connected. As a result, the nurse station can be called by operating the call button 27 as required.
[0030]
Each configuration of the terminal receiver 26, the call button 27, the nurse call cable 28, and the connection terminal 29 is not an essential component of the present invention, and may be provided as necessary.
[0031]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the transmission unit 3 is carried by the patient 2 and the reception unit 7 is installed by connecting to the wired nurse call terminal 6 corresponding to the bed 4 used by the patient 2 for transmission. By operating the transmission switch 11 of the unit 3, a weak radio wave having a predetermined frequency is transmitted and the transmitted radio wave is received by the receiving unit 7, whereby the nurse call terminal 6 calls a nurse station via a wire. Therefore, it can be introduced into an existing wired nurse call system easily and at a low cost, and the above-described problems in both the conventional wired and wireless nurse call systems can be solved. In addition, it is important that communication between the transmitter 3 mounted on the hand of the patient 2 on the bed and the receiver 7 installed on the console panel 5 is ensured only for a short distance. It is easy to eliminate the influence on the electronic equipment, and it is also easy to confirm the presence or absence of the influence.
[0032]
In addition, the receiving unit 7 is provided with a relay that is energized by receiving radio waves from the transmitting unit 3, and by energizing this relay, the relay contact is turned on to call the nurse station. It can be simplified, can be made small, and power consumption can be reduced.
[0033]
Further, when the connection terminal 29 of the existing nurse call cable 28 is connected to the terminal receiver 26 in the receiving unit 7, an attendant or the like holds the call button 27 of the nurse cord cable 28 in an urgent situation and instantly. It is also possible to have a situation where operation is possible.
[0034]
As in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the receiving circuit be adjusted so as to receive only radio waves of a predetermined frequency transmitted from the transmitting unit 3 when there are a plurality of beds 4 in the hospital room 1. Each patient 4 in each bed 4 carries a transmission unit 3 of a type corresponding to each patient 2, and a receiving unit 7 is similarly installed on the console panel 5 corresponding to the bed 4 of each patient 2.
[0035]
Here, the transmission unit 3 carried by each patient 2 varies its transmission frequency at least between patients in adjacent beds 4, preferably between all patients in the hospital room 1. The receiving unit 7 corresponding to each bed 4 is adjusted so as to receive only radio waves having a frequency transmitted from the transmitting unit 3 carried by the patient 2 of the bed 4.
[0036]
Thus, if the transmission / reception frequency of the radio waves in the transmission unit 3 and the reception unit 7 paired in each bed 4 is different from at least the transmission / reception frequency of the radio waves in the transmission unit 3 and reception unit 7 paired in the adjacent bed 4. The radio wave transmitted by a patient 2 is received only by the receiving unit 7 corresponding to the bed 4 of the patient 2 and is not received by the receiving unit 7 of the adjacent bed 4. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent a nurse call from being made by mistake.
[0041]
In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation or change is possible. For example, the receiving units 7 and 32 are not limited to the AC power supply type, but may be a battery built-in type. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the connection terminal 24 (33) is provided integrally with the main body of the receiving unit 7 (32), and the connection terminal 24 (33) is connected to the nurse call terminal. To do. As described above, if the receiving units 7 and 32 are of a battery built-in type, the receiver can be installed without an AC outlet in the vicinity of the nurse call terminal, so that the degree of freedom of installation can be increased and the design is simple. Can be.
[0042]
Further, even in the case of the battery built-in type, the receiving units 7 and 32 have a simple circuit configuration and low power consumption as described above, and can be used stably over a long period of time.
[0043]
In the above embodiment, the existing nurse call terminals 6 and 34 are of the jack type, and the connection terminals 24 and 33 of the receiving units 7 and 32 are accordingly plug type. In the case of the receptor type, as shown in FIG. 6, the connection terminal 24 (33) of the receiving unit 7 (32) is a connector type, and the terminal receiver 26 provided on the main body of the receiving unit 7 (32). Alternatively, as a receptor type, a connector type connection terminal 43 of an existing nurse call cable 42 having an interphone 41 can be connected to the terminal receiver 26. In addition, it is possible to provide the receiving unit 7 (32) with a plurality of terminal receivers 26 corresponding to a plurality of different types of existing nurse call cables. It is also possible.
[0044]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the connection terminal of the receiving unit when there is, for example, a 2-channel terminal in the existing nurse call terminal. For example, the connection terminal 51 for two channels is used, the first terminal 52 and the common terminal 53 are used for nurse call, and the second terminal 54 and the common terminal 53 are used to detect disconnection of the connection terminal 51 from the nurse call terminal, It can also be used to detect the remaining battery level of the transmitting unit based on the received signal strength, or to detect the remaining battery level when the receiving unit is a built-in battery type.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the transmitting unit is carried by the patient, and the receiving unit that receives radio waves from the transmitting unit is connected to the wired nurse call terminal to call the nurse station. The nurse call cable in the conventional wired nurse call system is not necessary, and the radio wave transmitted from the transmitter can be a weak radio wave. Accordingly, it is possible to solve the problems in both the conventional wired and wireless nurse call systems, and to introduce the existing wired nurse call system easily and at low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a first embodiment of a nurse call system according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a transmission unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a receiving unit.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modification of the receiving unit used in the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another modification of the receiving unit in the same manner.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the connection terminal of the receiving unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Patient room 2 Patient 3 Transmitter 4 Bed 5 Console panel 6 Nurse call terminal 7 Receiver 11 Transmission switch 21 Insert plug 22 Antenna 23 Cord 24, 29, 43, 51 Connection terminal 25 AC outlet 26 Terminal receiver 27 Call button 28 Nurse call cable

Claims (3)

A transmission unit that has a transmission switch for calling and transmits a weak radio wave of a predetermined frequency by operating the transmission switch;
An insertion plug that can be inserted into an outlet provided on a panel for communication or electrical connection installed for each patient bed is integrally formed, and each patient bed as a wired connection terminal to the nurse station. a connection terminal to be connected to each nurse call terminal installed in, said transmission unit of the patient is placed so as to form a transmission portion and a pair of front Symbol each patient was mobile in the vicinity of the nurse call terminal A receiver that calls a nurse station via the connection terminal, the nurse call terminal and a wire by receiving radio waves from
A nurse call system characterized by comprising: The receiving unit includes a relay that is energized by receiving a radio wave from the transmitting unit, and the relay contact is turned on by energizing the relay to call a nurse station. nurse call system according to 1. The receiving unit has a terminal receiver connected to the connection terminal, and a connection terminal of a nurse call cable having a call button is detachably connected to the terminal receiver, so that the nurse also operates the call button. nurse call system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that as it may invoke station.

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