KR20240102713A - Methods of managing medical devices, medical cart and system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a medical cart, a medical device management method, and a system commonly used for medical device management. In one embodiment, the medical cart includes a processor to control the medical cart, a communication unit to support communication with one or more of the medical cart, a management server, and a user terminal, an RFID unit to support radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, and a medical cart. A GPS sensor and location information for identifying the cart and acquiring and transmitting location information of the medical cart, status information on one or more medical devices stored in the medical cart, and export information on one or more medical devices taken out of the medical cart. It may include a memory for storing abnormalities, a display unit that visually displays one or more of status information, location information, and export information, and a battery that supplies power to the medical cart.

Description

Medical cart used to manage medical devices, medical device management method and system {Methods of managing medical devices, medical cart and system thereof}

The present invention is for managing medical devices used in hospitals, and relates to a medical system for managing medical devices used in hospitals in real time and a medical cart that supports the same.

Medical carts used in existing hospitals were simply used as a means of storing or moving medical devices used by doctors. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to confirm if the medical device stored in the medical cart is being used by a specific room or patient in the hospital.

Furthermore, as many medical devices (e.g., wearable sensors) equipped with their own batteries and communication functions have recently been used, the use of consumable parts (e.g., attachable patches, batteries, multiple sensors, etc.) mounted on each medical device is increasing. There is a need to manage the frequency and usage time. Therefore, systematic management of wearable medical devices is necessary.

1. Application No. 10-2013-0109796 (Medical supply storage device and control method) In general, a medical supply storage device includes a display unit that displays the location where the medical supplies desired by the user are stored, and information displayed on the display unit (quantity of the product, information included in the request for product delivery, information on the delivery status). Compared to the prior document, the prior document is similar to the present invention in that it is a storage box for medical supplies and displays information related to the storage and delivery of items on the display. However, the invention disclosed in the prior document is a fixed storage box, whereas the medical cart of the present invention is a storage box for medical supplies. is a device for storing and moving medical devices. In addition, the present invention is different in that it is a method of storing both medical devices that are withdrawn and medical devices that are recovered, and the status of medical devices can be checked in real time through mobility and communication with the management server, and the storage cart The difference is that it allows for communication between users, automated inventory tracking, consumables management, and lifespan management.

The object of the present invention is to provide a medical cart for managing medical devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated management server for managing medical carts and a medical device management system using the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of managing medical devices using a medical cart.

The technical objectives to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the matters mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be solved by those skilled in the art from the embodiments of the present invention described below. can be considered.

Hereinafter, as embodiments of the present invention, medical carts and medical device management methods and systems commonly used for medical device management will be described.

As an embodiment of the present invention, a medical cart includes a processor to control the medical cart, a communication unit to support communication with one or more of the medical cart, a management server, and a user terminal, and an RFID to support radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. GPS sensor and location information to identify the unit and the medical cart, obtain and transmit location information of the medical cart, status information on one or more medical devices stored in the medical cart, and export of one or more medical devices taken out of the medical cart. It may include a memory for storing one or more of the information, a display unit that visually displays one or more of status information, location information, and export information, and a battery that supplies power to the medical cart.

The status information may indicate one or more of the following: usage amount for one or more medical devices, whether consumables have been replaced, whether there is a breakdown, which user has used the device, and which patient it has been used for.

The communication unit may communicate with a management server or user terminal using short-distance communication technology, Wi-Fi technology, or wireless access technology.

The communication unit may receive, from other medical carts, one or more of status information on medical devices stored in other medical carts, location information on other medical carts, and take-out information on medical devices taken out in other medical carts.

The communication unit may transmit one or more of status information about medical devices stored in the other medical cart, location information of the other medical cart, and export information about the medical device taken out from the other medical cart to the management server. there is.

The RFID unit may include an RFID reader to receive a signal generated from an RFID tag included in the medical device.

The GPS sensor includes an identification number for the medical cart, and the identification number may be set differently from other medical carts.

The aspects of the present invention described above are only some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and various embodiments reflecting the technical features of the present invention can be understood by those skilled in the art. It can be derived and understood based on the explanation.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.

Through embodiments of the present invention, medical devices can be effectively managed.

Additionally, you can utilize medical devices efficiently by checking in real time which medical cart each medical device is stored in.

Additionally, by being able to determine how long a medical device has been used, it is possible to proactively respond to the lifespan, replacement of consumables, and breakdown of each medical device.

The effects that can be obtained from the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned are commonly known in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from the description of the embodiments of the present invention below. It can be clearly derived and understood by those with knowledge. That is, unintended effects resulting from implementing the present invention may also be derived from the embodiments of the present invention by a person skilled in the art.

The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the detailed description to aid understanding of the present invention, provide various embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, the attached drawings, together with the detailed description, are used to describe embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of the medical cart 100.
Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the medical cart 100.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which the medical cart described in FIG. 2 is used and a method of managing medical equipment.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention for managing medical devices used in hospitals, a medical system for real-time management of medical devices used in hospitals, and a medical cart that supports the same.

The following embodiments combine the components and features of the present invention in a predetermined form. Each component or feature may be considered optional unless explicitly stated otherwise. Each component or feature may be implemented in a form that is not combined with other components or features. Additionally, some components and/or features may be combined to form an embodiment of the present invention. The order of operations described in embodiments of the present invention may be changed. Some features or features of one embodiment may be included in other embodiments or may be replaced with corresponding features or features of other embodiments.

In the description of the drawings, parts, devices, and/or configurations that may obscure the gist of the present invention are not described, and parts, devices, and/or configurations that can be understood at a level by those skilled in the art are not described. Additionally, parts referred to using the same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same components or steps in the device configuration or method.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to “comprise or include” a certain element, this means that it does not exclude other elements but may further include other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary. do. Additionally, terms such as “unit” or “unit” used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation. In addition, the terms "a or an", "one", "the", and similar related terms are used in the context of describing the invention (particularly in the context of the claims below) as used herein. It may be used in both singular and plural terms, unless indicated otherwise or clearly contradicted by context.

In addition, specific terms and/or symbols used in the embodiments of the present invention are provided to aid understanding of the present invention, and the use of such specific terms may be used in other forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It can be changed to .

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.

In embodiments of the present invention, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used. Data tag technologies, such as RFID, are passive smart tags (e.g., small antennas that do not require an internal power source) that can be embedded or attached to a product or material to convey information that can be read by a scanner. It can be applied to miniature antenna-containing tags) or active smart tags (e.g., tags that require internal power).

Conductive or passive smart tags include data circuitry and antennas. In particular, smart tags include a semiconductor, coiled, etched, or stamped antenna, capacitor, and a substrate on which the components are mounted or embedded. Typically, a protective covering may be used to encapsulate and seal the substrate.

RFID devices and other data tag devices include RFID readers and RFID tags, which generate an electromagnetic response to an electronic signal from the reader and can be attached to medical devices. . The electromagnetic response signal corresponding to (or generated by) the tag attached to the medical device is read by the reader. At this time, the range of the response signal that can be read is usually about a few to tens of centimeters, but a wider or narrower range is also possible.

Medical devices used in embodiments of the present invention include RFID tags, which may be passive or active RFID tags. A signal generated by an RFID tag included in a medical device may include information (eg, a medical device code) that identifies the tag or an article containing the tag.

In the embodiments described below, medical devices may refer to wearable devices that patients can wear, devices that are attached to and used on patients, and various other devices used in medical care.

In embodiments of the present invention, a medical cart is used as a means of storing and moving medical devices, and supports management of allocation, storage, and recovery of medical devices by identifying the quantity and location of medical devices used in a specific hospital. refers to a storage cart with mobility for

Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of the medical cart 100.

Referring to Figure 1, the medical cart includes one or more storage shelves (101, 102, 103, 104, 105) for storing medical devices, one or more wheels (106) for mobility support, and a device used to manage medical devices. It may include (e.g., a first device). 1 is an exemplary diagram, and the appearance of the medical cart may be changed as needed.

Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the medical cart 100.

Referring to FIG. 2, the medical cart 100 includes a processor 110 for controlling the medical cart, a management server for the medical cart 100, and/or a user terminal (FIG. Or, a communication unit 120 to support communication with a smart terminal), an RFID tag attached to a medical device and an RFID unit 130 to communicate using the above-described RFID technology, the location of the medical cart and a specific medical cart. GPS sensor 140 for identification, memory 150 for storing information about medical devices stored in the medical cart and medical devices taken out of the cart, status of medical devices stored in the medical cart, and location of other medical carts It may include a display unit 160 that visually displays medical devices stored in the medical cart, and a battery 170 that supplies power to the medical cart.

At least one of the processor 100, communication unit 120, RFID unit 130, GPS sensor 140, memory 150, and display unit 160 included in the medical cart 100 is built into the medical cart. It may be provided as a , or it may be provided in a separate device (e.g., a first device) and used by attaching and detaching it from a medical cart.

The medical cart 100 may be referred to as a medical cart or simply a cart in embodiments of the present invention, and may be referred to as a first device.

The medical cart may include a communication unit 120. The communication unit 120 records one or more of the location information of the medical cart, status information about the status of medical devices stored in the medical cart, and export information about medical devices taken out of the medical cart through an integrated management server or user device (e.g. For example, it can be transmitted to a smart terminal).

At this time, the status information indicates one or more of the following: usage amount for one or more medical devices, whether consumables have been replaced, whether there is a breakdown, which user has used it, and which patient it has been used for.

The communication unit 120 communicates directly with other medical carts to share status information about medical devices contained in other nearby medical carts, location information about other medical carts, and export information about medical devices taken out from other medical carts. Can send and receive.

The communication unit may communicate with the management server or user terminal using short-range communication technology, Wi-Fi technology, or wireless access technology.

Whether a medical device is stored in a medical cart can be determined by receiving a signal generated from a tag included in the medical device through the RFID unit 130 included in the medical cart. For example, when a medical device is stored in a medical cart, an RFID signal generated from a tag attached to the medical device is received by an RFID reader in the RFID unit, and whether the medical device is stored in the medical cart can be stored in the memory.

The GPS sensor 140 is used to check the location information of the medical cart. The medical cart can obtain location information of the medical cart within the hospital through a GPS sensor. By setting a different identification number for each medical cart in the GPS sensor 140, the medical carts can be identified through each identification number when the integrated management server receives a signal from the GPS sensor.

In embodiments of the present invention, the communication unit 120 and the GPS sensor 140 may be provided as separate parts on a medical cart, or may be configured as a single physical device and provided on a medical cart.

The memory 150 is one of information about medical devices stored in a medical cart, information about medical devices taken out of a medical cart, information about a user who used the medical cart, and information about medical devices stored in another medical cart. It is a means of storing ideals.

The display unit 160 may visually display information about the medical devices stored in the medical cart (for example, information about the usage time, battery usage, and/or number of uses of each medical device, etc.).

In other words, the user can not only check one or more medical devices present in the medical cart through the display unit, but also check the medical devices present in other storage carts and the status of medical devices in use by a specific patient or in a specific hospital room beyond the storage cart. It is possible.

Battery 170 supplies power to the medical cart.

The processor 110 may be configured to control one or more of the above-described communication unit 120, RFID unit 130, GPS sensor 140, memory 150, display unit 160, and battery 170.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which the medical cart described in FIG. 2 is used and a method of managing medical equipment.

The medical cart 100 includes an integrated management server 300, an RFID provided in one or more hospital beds or rooms 300, one or more medical devices used in hospitals (200), one or more user terminals 500, and a communication unit 120. And/or embodiments of the present invention can be performed through the RFID unit 130. At this time, the user terminal may be referred to as a second device, the integrated management server may be referred to as a third device, and one or more medical devices may be referred to as a fourth device.

The integrated management server 300 manages location information (eg, GPS information) about the medical cart detected by the GPS sensor included in the medical cart 100 and medical device data stored in the medical cart.

The integrated management server 300 can collect location information from the GPS sensors of multiple medical carts, and the GPS sensors built into each medical cart are set with different identification numbers so that the integrated management server 300 can collect signals from the GPS sensors. When receiving, you can identify the storage cart through the identification number. Additionally, the integrated management server can receive and store storage information on medical devices read by an RFID reader provided in the medical cart from the medical cart.

Storage information on medical devices stored in the integrated management server may be transmitted to the user terminal 500. For example, user terminals (e.g., including all smart devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and desktops used by users such as doctors and nurses) receive medical device information stored in each medical cart from the integrated management server. Thus, whether a specific medical device exists in a specific storage cart and location information of the medical cart can be output to the user terminal.

As an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to check the medical device being used by a specific patient outside of the medical cart through an RFID reader attached to a hospital room or hospital bed used by a specific patient.

For example, when a used medical device is moved back to the storage cart, it can be confirmed that use of the medical device has been completed by reading the RFID signal provided in the medical device through a reader provided in the storage cart. Additionally, if a medical device is tagged with an RFID reader attached to a hospital room or bed, the information can be transmitted to the integrated management server. Alternatively, when the corresponding information is entered into the medical cart from the RFID tag in the hospital room or bed, the medical cart can transmit information on medical devices in use (i.e., taken out) to the integrated management server.

In this way, through the storage cart, each medical device can be used to determine which hospital room, which patient, and which user (e.g., doctor or nurse) used it (application for use of the medical device present in the smart device storage cart). It can be confirmed through the following procedure).

Through this, it is possible to check for what purpose and for what time each medical device has been used, thereby enabling preemptive response to the lifespan, replacement of consumables, and failure of each medical device.

In Figure 3, a method in which medical carts and medical devices are tagged using RFID and stored as status information within the medical cart, a method in which medical devices taken out of a medical cart are tagged and taken out in RFID, and an RFID tag attached to a hospital room or hospital bed ( The method of transmitting and receiving information about medical carts and medical devices used using active tags) and RFID methods, and the method of transmitting and receiving location information, status information, and export information about medical carts to the management server and/or user terminal are implemented as described above. It can be implemented through examples.

The embodiments of the present invention described above may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, claims that do not have an explicit reference relationship in the patent claims can be combined to form an embodiment or included as a new claim through amendment after filing.

Claims (6)

a processor for controlling a medical cart;
a communication unit for supporting communication between the medical cart and one or more of a management server and a user terminal;
RFID department to support radio frequency identification (RFID) technology;
a GPS sensor for identifying the medical cart and obtaining and transmitting location information of the medical cart;
a memory for storing one or more of the location information, status information about one or more medical devices stored in the medical cart, and export information about one or more medical devices taken out of the medical cart;
A display unit that visually displays one or more of the status information, the location information, and the export information; and
A medical cart comprising a battery that supplies power to the medical cart.
According to paragraph 1,
The status information indicates one or more of the amount of usage of the one or more medical devices, whether consumables have been replaced, whether there is a breakdown, which user has used it, and which patient it has been used for.
According to paragraph 1,
A medical cart in which the communication unit communicates with the management server or the user terminal using short-range communication technology, Wi-Fi technology, or wireless access technology.
According to paragraph 1,
The communication unit receives, from another medical cart, one or more of status information on medical devices stored in the other medical cart, location information on the other medical cart, and export information on the medical device exported from the other medical cart,
The management of one or more of the status information on medical devices stored in the other medical cart, the location information on the other medical cart, and the export information on the medical device exported from the other medical cart. Medical cart transmitting to server.
According to paragraph 1,
A medical cart, wherein the RFID unit includes an RFID reader for receiving a signal generated from an RFID tag included in the medical device.
According to paragraph 1,
The GPS sensor includes an identification number for the medical cart, and the identification number is different from other medical carts.