JP3974768B2 - Home medical device anomaly reporting method and system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a home medical device abnormality reporting method and system for supporting home medical care of users who use medical instruments at home, and in particular, simplifies home medical device abnormality in individual user homes. The present invention relates to a method for reporting an abnormality of a home medical device for detection by a simple system and a system thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, the number of home medical patients who receive treatment at home has increased. In home medical care, it is not necessary to frequently visit a facility such as a hospital. For example, it may be diagnosed once a month at the facility. For this reason, it is an effective medical method for a patient who is difficult to go out or a patient (for example, an elderly person). In such home medical care, a medical device provided by a facility or the like is usually installed at home, and a patient (medical device user) uses the medical device to perform treatment.
[0003]
For example, oxygen therapy to be supplied from an oxygen cylinder is performed for patients with respiratory diseases, and recently, a respiratory gas supply device for separating and concentrating oxygen in the air to obtain an oxygen-enriched gas has been developed. Oxygen therapy using it is becoming increasingly popular. Such a breathing gas supply apparatus is increasingly used not only in hospitals but also in homes for home medical care. The medical device is a device for performing medical therapy.
[0004]
In such a medical device, since it affects a patient's illness, support such as medical device inspection, parts replacement, and response in case of device abnormality is essential. For this reason, a company that sells, manufactures, and services medical devices needs an administrator or supporter who has knowledge of medical devices and manages them. In home medical care, this administrator or supporter needs to go to the patient (user) home and check the medical equipment, etc. to check the medical equipment, refill and replace parts, and respond to equipment abnormalities. .
[0005]
Cases in which such an administrator or supporter goes to a patient's home include equipment parts, replenishment replacement, and equipment malfunctions in addition to regular equipment maintenance and inspection. In such a medical device, if an abnormality occurs, it affects a patient's illness, and thus prompt action is required. For this reason, the medical device is provided with an abnormality detection function, and when an abnormality is detected, an abnormality is reported to the medical device company where the device administrator or supporter is located.
[0006]
Conventionally, a method has been used in which an abnormality alarm is issued from a medical device to a patient, and the patient is notified to a medical device company by a communication means such as a telephone and a response is requested.
[0007]
As another method, a monitoring system for monitoring a medical device is provided, and a method of detecting an abnormality of the medical device with this monitoring system is used. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional medical device monitoring system. As shown in FIG. 6, the breathing gas supply device 1-1 is individually arranged in a hospital or home 1. The telephone line network 4 is used to connect the telephone 6-1 of the home 1 and the center 2 of the medical device company.
[0008]
In order to monitor the medical device 1-1 at the center 2 using this communication network 4, a branching device 6-2 is provided in front of the telephone set 6-1 of the home 1, and the communication of the medical device 1-1 is performed. The branch device 6-2 was connected to the unit 6-3. As a result, the state of the medical device 1-1 can be transmitted to the center 2 via the communication unit or the telephone line 4. For example, once a day, the state of the medical device 1-1 (oxygen device, oxygen concentration, flow rate, pressure, usage time, etc.) is transmitted to the center 2 and monitored by the center 2. In addition, when an abnormality is detected in the medical device, the communication unit 6-3 notifies the center 2 via the telephone line 4. Thereby, the center 2 can take an appropriate response. A system for grasping and managing the operating status of the respiratory supply device is described in detail, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-52495.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the first conventional technique, there is a case where a patient who uses a medical device himself / herself has to make a call when the medical device is abnormal. For example, an abnormality occurs while a patient living alone or a family member is away. In such a case, the patient may be using a medical device in which an abnormality has occurred, or may have stopped using the medical device because an abnormality has occurred. In such a case, since the home medical practice is not normally performed, the patient may not be able to report the abnormality accurately by telephone or the like.
[0010]
In the second prior art, since the automatic monitoring is performed, an abnormality can be detected without notification from the patient, but a communication infrastructure is required in addition to the medical device. That is, since a home telephone line is used, facilities such as telephone line call charges, telephone line construction, and branching devices are required. In the current health insurance system, home medical devices are covered by insurance, but others are not covered by insurance. For this reason, this communication infrastructure becomes a self-payment of a medical device company or a patient. In particular, in the case of home medical care, there is a possibility of healing and changes in prescription, and these machines are likely not to be permanent facilities. For this reason, the burden of construction and facilities required only during the home medical care period is a reason for encouraging the introduction of such an automatic monitoring system, making it difficult to spread the system.
[0011]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a home medical device abnormality notification method and system that can automatically notify abnormality of a home medical device without requiring construction of a communication infrastructure.
[0012]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a home medical device abnormality reporting method and system capable of automatically reporting a home medical device abnormality with a simple system configuration.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An abnormality notification method for reporting an abnormality of a medical device used for a user's treatment at home of the present invention to a home medical support company is provided in the medical device in response to detecting the abnormality of the medical device. A wireless communication module including a transmission source address to the communication device of the home medical support company that supports a plurality of medical devices via the network, and the communication device receives the abnormality report, Storing the abnormality report in a table, and identifying the abnormal medical device from the stored abnormality report, wherein the storing step is in the abnormality report storage field for each medical device in the table, in the column of the medical device corresponding to the source address, consists storing said abnormality notification, the specifying step, the table at a predetermined period Irradiation to the Ri Do the step of identifying a medical device for which the abnormality notification, step of reporting the radio, the medical device of the computer is continuously operated the medical device, continuing the medical device In response to the detection of an abnormal operating condition, a wireless communication module provided in the medical device is used to perform wireless notification .
[0014]
Further, in an abnormality notification system for reporting an abnormality of a medical device that performs a user's treatment at home according to the present invention to a home medical support company, a plurality of cases are detected via the network in response to the detection of the abnormality of the medical device. A medical device having a wireless communication module that wirelessly reports an abnormality report including a source address in a communication device of the home medical support company that supports the medical device; and receiving the abnormality report and storing the abnormality report in a table And a communication device that identifies the abnormal medical device from the stored abnormality notification, and the communication device is a medical device corresponding to the source address in the abnormality notification storage column for each medical device in the table. the column of devices, and store the abnormality notification, and by referring to the table at a predetermined period, to identify the medical device for which the said abnormality notification, the medical device is subject In order to perform home treatment, the computer has a computer that controls continuous driving and detects abnormalities in the continuous driving, and the computer of the medical device responds to detection of abnormalities in the continuous driving state Then, the wireless communication is provided by the wireless communication module provided in the medical device .
[0015]
First, the present invention uses a wireless report and uses a mobile phone line, so that it is possible to provide an automatic abnormality notification function for home medical equipment without the need for line construction or expansion work such as a wired line. . In addition, since the wireless communication module used for the mobile phone and the computer provided for controlling the medical device can be used, the abnormality reporting function can be imparted to the medical device at a low cost. In addition, since the notification is made only when there is an abnormality, the communication cost can be reduced even if a large number of medical devices are remotely supported. Moreover, in order to identify the target medical device by referring to the table in a predetermined cycle and then to receive the abnormal notifications of a large number of medical devices, perform a corrective action. Can take.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the following is for showing a part of embodiment of this invention, and this invention is not restrict | limited by these description, As long as it agree | coincides with the meaning of this invention, other forms are also included. It goes without saying that it is included.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a home medical device abnormality notification system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a home medical method of the system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a configuration of the breathing gas supply device of FIG. FIG. 4 is a model diagram, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the abnormality notification signal in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an abnormal device detection processing flowchart of the server of the system in FIG.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, home medical devices 1-1 and 1-2 are installed in the home 1 of each home patient B. As an example of home medical care, home oxygen therapy for the aforementioned respiratory diseases will be described as an example. Home medical devices are an oxygen supply (concentration) device 1-1 and a portable oxygen supply device 1-2. Before explaining this system, home oxygen therapy will be explained with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, home oxygen therapy is performed when a patient B diagnosed with a respiratory disease by a doctor in a medical facility (hospital etc.) 5 under the prescription of a doctor in a hospital etc. Device) Oxygen inhalation treatment is performed using 1-1, 1-2. These home medical devices 1-1 and 1-2 are lent to the patient B from the medical device provider 3 through the medical facility 5 based on the medical examination of the doctor of the medical facility 5. The medical device provider 3 manages the home oxygen devices 1-1 and 1-2 of the patient B, and provides home medical support such as installation and inspection of the devices 1-1 and 1-2 and replacement of oxygen cylinders.
[0020]
The oxygen supply (concentration) device 1-1 will be described with reference to FIG. The oxygen concentrator 1-1 is a breathing gas supply device that supplies oxygen to assist the patient's breathing. The oxygen concentrator 1-1 normally includes a compressor 14 for sending compressed air to the oxygen concentrating means, a cooling fan 20 for removing heat generated by the compression of air, a flow path switching valve 15, Adsorption-type or membrane-type oxygen concentrating means 12, 13, a pressure sensor 21 for detecting the pressure in the oxygen concentrating means, and a flow rate sensor for measuring the flow rate of the breathing gas supplied to the breathing gas supply device user (patient) 22, surge tank 16, flow rate setting device 17, humidifier 18, concentration sensor 23 for measuring the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas to be supplied, temperature / humidity sensor 24 for measuring the temperature and humidity of the supply gas, Is provided.
[0021]
The apparatus 1-1 also includes a computer (MPU) 25 that controls the entire apparatus, and an operator panel 26 that is operated from the outside and displays the apparatus state on the outside. The computer 25 determines that an abnormality occurs when the pressure in the oxygen concentrating means, the flow rate of the breathing gas, or the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas is outside the predetermined range, and the sound, lamp, etc. when the abnormality is detected. Controls the operating conditions of the alarm means (operator panel 26) and the breathing gas supply device. The oxygen concentrator of the oxygen concentrator is composed of one or two or more adsorption cylinders 13 filled with an adsorbent 12 capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen, and separates the oxygen-enriched gas having an increased oxygen concentration from the air. To do.
[0022]
Next, the operation of this apparatus will be described. Compressed air is supplied from the compressor 14 to the adsorption cylinder 13 via the flow path switching valve 15. A gas containing oxygen that has not been adsorbed by the adsorption cylinder 13, that is, oxygen-enriched air, is stored in the surge tank 16, the oxygen supply amount is adjusted to be constant by the flow rate setting device 17, and then humidified by the humidifier 18, and the nasal cannula The gas is supplied to the breathing gas supply device user B via 19.
[0023]
Furthermore, a cooling fan 20 for generating cooling air for cooling pump means such as a compressor is provided as necessary. In the breathing gas supply device 1-1, the pressure in the oxygen concentrating means is at the X position, the flow rate of the breathing gas, the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas, the temperature and humidity of the breathing gas are at the Y position, and the sensor. 21, 22, 23, 24 can be detected. Examples of the supply means 19 for using the breathing gas for use by the user of the breathing gas supply apparatus include those provided with a conduit means, a nasal cannula, a mask and the like.
[0024]
In this respiratory gas supply device 1-1, it is important in home medical care to supply a gas having a predetermined oxygen concentration at a set flow rate. In order to detect these abnormalities, various sensors and computers are provided to automatically determine the abnormalities.
[0025]
Among cases where the pressure inside the oxygen concentrating means is outside the specified range, the case where the pressure inside the oxygen concentrating means falls below the lower limit corresponds to, for example, the case where something abnormal has occurred in the compressor itself, and the case where the pressure exceeds the upper limit. For example, a case where water is excessively adsorbed on the adsorbent in the oxygen concentrating means is applicable.
[0026]
In addition, as a case where the flow rate of the breathing gas is out of a predetermined range, a case where the flow rate set by a doctor's instruction is less than the allowable lower limit flow rate can be considered. Specifically, if the allowable value is 50% or more with respect to the set value of 2 L / min, an abnormal alarm is issued at less than 50%. As a case where the oxygen concentration in the breathing gas deviates from the predetermined range, for example, when an oxygen concentration of 90% or more is set as a set value and 75% is set as a lower limit, an abnormal alarm is issued at less than 75%.
[0027]
When the computer 25 detects such an abnormality, the computer 25 issues an alarm to the breathing gas supply device user through voice and display via the operator panel 26. When receiving a warning, the breathing gas supply device user can contact the breathing gas supply device manager by means of a telephone or the like and request the dispatch of a breathing gas supply device technical supporter or the like.
[0028]
Furthermore, the present invention has a radio telephone module circuit 27 connected to a computer (MPU) 25. The radio telephone module circuit 27 is composed of a radio communication module circuit used in a cellular phone, for example, a well-known PHS communication circuit, and a transmission destination (telephone number, communication address) set in response to an abnormality detection of the computer 25. Make outgoing calls. In the system of FIG. 1, the transmission destination is the server 2, and the telephone number or communication address of the server 2 is set.
[0029]
The portable oxygen supply device 1-2 is a device that carries and inhales oxygen when the home patient B goes out, and includes an oxygen cylinder or the like. The oxygen cylinder is filled with oxygen, and the internal volume decreases with the use of the user. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the oxygen cylinder. Also in this case, the user requests the administrator or the like to replace the cylinder by telephone or the like.
[0030]
Returning to FIG. 1, the home medical device abnormality notification system includes a home medical support company center (server) 2, a home medical device 1-1 wireless communication module circuit 27 in each patient home 1, and a communication network 4. It is configured. The server (communication device) 2 receives the relay abnormality table 2-1 in which the abnormality flag column is provided in the device address of each patient's medical device, and the abnormality notification signal from the communication network 4, and the abnormality table 2-1 It has a reception function unit 2-2 that sets an abnormality flag at the medical device address that issued the abnormality notification signal, and an abnormality detection process 2-3 that scans the abnormality table 2-1 and identifies the abnormal device. The communication network 4 is configured by a communication line network, and a public line, a dedicated line, and the like can be used.
[0031]
The abnormality notification processing operation of the medical device in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the MPU (microprocessor) 25 detects an abnormality of the medical device 1-1 from the outputs of the sensors 21 to 24 as described above. Moreover, the state where the patient is not breathing for a certain period of time can be detected from the outputs of the sensors 21 to 24, and this is also detected as abnormal. Further, the power off other than the power switch disconnection is detected and an abnormality is detected. The abnormality detection operation of these MPUs 25 is not different from the conventional one.
[0032]
When detecting an abnormality, the MPU 25 instructs the wireless communication module circuit 27 to perform wireless communication to the server 2. The wireless communication module circuit 27 issues the telephone number or communication address of the server 2 to the network 4 and transmits an abnormality notification signal to the server 2. In digital communication, an abnormal communication signal is transmitted in the form of an abnormality notification code. Further, the source address is communicated in the same manner as the mobile phone. In this abnormality notification process, as shown in FIG. 4, only in the case of an abnormality, a notification is made every 30 minutes and repeated for about 2 to 3 hours until the abnormality is canceled. Thereby, the server 2 can reliably receive the abnormality report. That is, in one notification, there is a possibility that a reception error occurs or the server 2 does not receive when the line is congested. For this reason, even if a public line or a cellular phone line is used, the server 2 can be surely notified.
[0033]
In the server 2, the reception function unit 2-2 receives the abnormality notification signal, and sets an abnormality flag in the device address corresponding to the transmission source address in the abnormality storage table 2-1. In this way, even when a public line or a mobile phone line is used, the abnormality report is reliably received by the server 2 of the medical device company. In particular, in a system that detects anomalies of a large number of patients (for example, nationwide) at a medical device company center, one server 2 is responsible for thousands and tens of thousands of patients. ,It is valid.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 5, the abnormality identification process 2-3 of the server 2 checks the abnormality storage table 2-1 at a certain time interval (S1), checks whether there is an abnormality flag (S2), If there is, the target device is identified from the address. Then, an alarm is displayed and alarmed on the monitor of the server 2 (S3). Then, the abnormal flag of this address is cleared (S4).
[0035]
By this alarm, the person in charge of the server 2 reports to the sales office 3-A or person C in charge of the device. As a result, the person in charge C can contact the patient of the device or go out to deal with the abnormality.
[0036]
As described above, since the wireless notification is used and the cellular phone line is used, an automatic abnormality notification function for home medical equipment can be provided without requiring a line construction or an extension construction such as a wired line. In addition, since a wireless communication module used for a mobile phone can be used, an abnormality reporting function can be imparted to a medical device at a low cost. In addition, since the notification is made only when there is an abnormality, the communication cost can be reduced even if a large number of medical devices are remotely supported.
[0037]
Furthermore, an abnormality storage table 2-1 is provided, and an abnormality flag is set in the device address corresponding to the transmission source address for reception. Therefore, even if a public line or a mobile phone line is used, an abnormality report is issued by a medical device company. The server 2 is surely received.
[0038]
In the above-described system, the center supports patients nationwide, but it is also possible to provide a server for each regional unit. Alarms to sales offices and persons in charge can be automated using IT technology.
[0039]
Furthermore, although the home medical device has been described as a home oxygen therapy device, it can also be applied to other respiratory gas supply devices, rehabilitation devices, and the like.
The present invention is summarized in the following supplementary notes.
[0040]
(Supplementary note 1) In an abnormality notification method for reporting an abnormality of a medical device that uses a medical device at home to a home medical support company, a wireless provided in the medical device in response to the detection of the abnormality of the medical device The communication module wirelessly reports to the communication device of the home medical support company via the network; the communication device receives the abnormality report; stores the abnormality report in a table; and the stored abnormality report Identifying an abnormal medical device from the home medical device abnormality reporting method.
[0041]
(Supplementary note 2) The home medical device abnormality notification method according to supplementary note 1, wherein the storage step includes a step of storing the abnormality notification in an abnormality notification storage column for each medical device in the table.
[0042]
(Supplementary note 3) The home medical device abnormality report method according to supplementary note 1, wherein the wireless communication step includes a step of performing wireless communication only when the medical device is abnormal.
[0043]
(Supplementary note 4) The home medical device abnormality report method according to supplementary note 1, wherein the wireless communication step includes a step of wirelessly communicating a communication address of the communication device, the abnormality information, and a self-identification address.
[0044]
(Supplementary Note 5) The wireless communication step includes a step of wirelessly reporting to the communication device of the home medical support company via the network by the wireless communication module according to an instruction of a processor that detects an abnormality of the medical device. The method for reporting an abnormality of a home medical device according to appendix 1, characterized by:
[0045]
(Appendix 6) In an abnormality notification system for reporting an abnormality of a medical device that uses a medical device at home to the home medical support company, the home medical support company via the network in response to detecting the abnormality of the medical device A medical device having a wireless communication module that wirelessly reports to the communication device; a communication device that receives the abnormality notification, stores the abnormality notification in a table, and identifies the abnormal medical device from the stored abnormality notification; An abnormality reporting system for home medical equipment, characterized by comprising:
[0046]
(Supplementary note 7) The communication apparatus has a table for storing the abnormality report in an abnormality report storage column for each medical device, and identifies the abnormal medical device with reference to the table. 6. Abnormality reporting system for home medical equipment.
[0047]
(Supplementary note 8) The home medical device abnormality notification system according to supplementary note 6, wherein the medical device wirelessly communicates only when the medical device is abnormal.
[0048]
(Supplementary note 9) The home medical device abnormality notification system according to supplementary note 6, wherein the wireless communication module wirelessly communicates the communication address of the communication device, the abnormality information, and its own identification address.
[0049]
(Additional remark 10) The said medical device contains the processor which detects abnormality of the said medical device, and the radio | wireless communication module which carries out radio report to the communication apparatus of the said home medical support company via a network according to the instruction | indication of the said processor. Appendix 6. Abnormality reporting system for home medical devices characterized by the above.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
Thus, in response to detecting the abnormality of the medical device, the medical device having a wireless communication module that wirelessly reports to the communication device of the home medical support company via the network, the abnormality notification is received, and the abnormality Since it has a communication device for storing a report in a table and identifying the abnormal medical device from the stored abnormality report, first, a wired line is used for using a wireless report and using a mobile phone line. It is possible to provide an automatic abnormality reporting function for home medical devices without requiring any line construction or expansion work.
[0051]
In addition, since the wireless communication module used for the mobile phone and the computer provided for controlling the medical device can be used, the abnormality reporting function can be imparted to the medical device at a low cost. In addition, since the notification is made only when there is an abnormality, the communication cost can be reduced even if a large number of medical devices are remotely supported. Moreover, in order to identify the target medical device by referring to the table in a predetermined cycle and then to receive the abnormal notifications of a large number of medical devices, perform a corrective action. Can take.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an abnormality notification system for home medical equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the home medical treatment method of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a model diagram illustrating the configuration of the home medical device of FIG. 1;
4 is an explanatory diagram of an abnormality notification signal in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of abnormal medical device identification processing of the communication apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 User's house 1-1 Oxygen concentrator (medical equipment)
1-2 Portable oxygen supplier 2 Center (communication device)
2-1 Abnormal Storage Table 2-2 Reception Function Unit 2-3 Abnormal Device Identification Processing 3-A Sales Office 4 Network 11 Breathing Gas Supply Device 12 Adsorbent 13 Adsorption Cylinder 14 Compressor 15 Channel Switching Valve 16 Surge Tank 17 Flow Rate Setting device 18 Humidifier 19 Nasal cannula 20 Cooling fans 21 to 24 Sensor 25 Processor 27 Wireless communication module circuit

Claims (2)

In an abnormal reporting method for reporting abnormalities of medical equipment used for user treatment at home to home medical support companies,
In response to detecting an abnormality in the medical device, a wireless communication module provided in the medical device transmits a source address to a communication device of the home medical support company that supports a plurality of medical devices via a network. Including wireless reporting, including
Receiving the abnormality report in the communication device and storing the abnormality report in a table;
Identifying the abnormal medical device from the stored abnormality notification,
The storing step includes a step of storing the abnormality report in a medical device column corresponding to the transmission source address in the abnormality report storage column for each medical device of the table,
The specifying step, by referring to the table at a predetermined period, Ri Do the step of identifying a medical device for which the said abnormality notification,
The step of wirelessly reporting includes:
In response to the computer of the medical device continuously operating the medical device and detecting an abnormality in the continuous operation state of the medical device, the wireless communication module provided in the medical device performs wireless notification. A method for reporting an abnormality of a home medical device characterized by comprising the steps of : In an abnormality reporting system for reporting abnormalities of medical devices that perform user treatment at home to home medical support companies,
In response to detecting an abnormality of the medical device, the communication device of the home medical support company that supports a plurality of medical devices via a network has a wireless communication module that wirelessly reports an abnormality report including a source address Medical equipment,
A communication device that receives the abnormality notification, stores the abnormality notification in a table, and identifies the abnormal medical device from the stored abnormality notification;
The communication device stores the abnormality report in the medical device column corresponding to the source address in the abnormality report storage column for each medical device of the table, and refers to the table at a predetermined cycle , Identify the medical device that reported the abnormality,
The medical device has a computer that controls continuous driving and detects abnormalities of the continuous driving in order to perform at-home treatment of the subject.
An abnormality notification system for a home medical device , wherein the computer of the medical device performs wireless notification by a wireless communication module provided in the medical device in response to detecting the abnormality in the continuous operation state. .

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