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US-12620482-B2 - Signaling device for medical devices and procedures

US12620482B2US 12620482 B2US12620482 B2US 12620482B2US-12620482-B2

Abstract

The present invention is situated in the field of messaging apparatuses, in particular for medical technology devices. A messaging apparatus and method are suggested according to which the intensity with which a message is output is dependent on an effort parameter and the distance of a person from the apparatus that outputs the message.

Inventors

  • Alexander Schrörs
  • Annika THISSEN

Assignees

  • FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20230523
Priority Date
20220523

Claims (17)

  1. 1 . A messaging apparatus, comprising a first detection unit for detecting various activation states of an apparatus, an assignment unit, in which at least one message and at least one effort parameter that is characteristic for a processing time and/or for a typical processing complexity of the respective activation state is assigned to each of the individual activation states, a second detection unit for detecting or determining the distance of at least one person from the apparatus, wherein the messaging apparatus is configured such that when a first activation state is detected the message assigned to the detected first activation state is output with an intensity that is dependent on a first effort parameter, which is assigned to the detected first activation state, and on the detected distance of the at least one person, or is dependent on a second effort parameter, which is assigned to a previously detected second activation state, and on the detected distance of the at least one person.
  2. 2 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the message is an acoustic, optical or haptic signal.
  3. 3 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the message is a displayed or audibly output text message.
  4. 4 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the intensity of the output message is varied by signal words in the text message.
  5. 5 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the intensity of the output message refers to the loudness, the brightness, the appearance, the text form, the text colour or the display mode with which the message is output.
  6. 6 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising an apparatus for determining the personal identity of the at least one person, wherein the intensity of the output message or the at least one effort parameter is additionally influenced by the determined personal identity of the person.
  7. 7 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the apparatus for determining the personal identity of the at least one person comprises a camera or an apparatus for receiving electromagnetic waves.
  8. 8 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising recording means for recording actions by the at least one person, wherein the at least one effort parameter is dependent on the recorded actions of the at least one person.
  9. 9 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the intensity of the output message further depends on a detected ambient noise level of the apparatus.
  10. 10 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the messaging apparatus is configured to monitor whether an action that is characteristic for the output message is performed on the apparatus in response to an output message, and to output the message with a higher intensity in the event that the action is not performed within a predetermined period of time.
  11. 11 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second detection unit comprises a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a light barrier, a capacitive or inductive proximity sensor or a radar sensor.
  12. 12 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second detection unit is configured to draw a conclusion from the evaluation of operator inputs into the apparatus as to whether the person is located within operating range in front of the apparatus.
  13. 13 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second detection unit is configured to draw a conclusion as to whether the person is located within operating range in front of the apparatus on the basis of the status of a program sequence that controls the apparatus.
  14. 14 . A medical technology device comprising a messaging apparatus according to claim 1 .
  15. 15 . The medical technology device of claim 14 , wherein the medical technology device is a dialysis machine.
  16. 16 . The messaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the message is an alarm signal.
  17. 17 . A method for outputting a message, comprising the steps: detecting different activation states of an apparatus, assigning at least one message and one effort parameter that is characteristic of a processing time and/or of a typical processing complexity of the respective activation state to each of the individual activation states, detecting or determining a distance of at least one person from the apparatus, outputting a message that is assigned to a detected first activation state, with an intensity that is dependent on a first effort parameter, which is assigned to the detected first activation state, and on the detected distance of the at least one person, or that is dependent on a second effort parameter, which is assigned to a previously detected second activation state and on the detected distance of the at least one person.

Description

This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2023/063714, filed May 23, 2023, which claims priority to Luxembourg Patent Application No. LU502137, filed May 23, 2022. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is situated in the field of messaging apparatuses for monitored devices, in particular for medical technology devices and methods for operating messaging apparatuses of such kind. BACKGROUND The present invention can be implemented for any monitored device that outputs messages to users of the devices, wherein said messages entail an action in response to the respective message on the apparatus itself or in connection with the operation of the apparatus. The present invention is particularly suitable for use with medical technology devices. Medical technology devices are typically equipped with a multiplicity of monitoring instruments which monitor the proper operation of the technology device, and in some cases also the treatment that is performed on a patient with the medical technology device. Medical technology devices can also be used to monitor a patient as well as the patient's treatment, or for both purposes. For example, a dialysis machine performs a therapy function on a patient and is often set up to record and monitor machine parameters, treatment parameters and even patient parameters. If proper operation of said monitoring device is not detected, or if the treatment or patient parameters typically determined by sensors do not fall within predefined limit values, an alarm signal is often output for the purpose of alerting the medical staff, or indeed the patient, to an abnormal condition. This abnormal condition should be remedied as rapidly as possible by intervention on the part of the medical staff or the patient themselves, so that proper operation of the dialysis machine or proper treatment (as prescribed by the physician) of the patient with the dialysis machine is restored. But it is also often necessary to output messages during proper operation of the medical technology apparatus, which messages are most likely to be noticed by the medical staff or the patient receiving treatment. Messages of such kind may relate for example to the approaching end of a therapy session, necessitating further actions, either on the medical technology device or to the patient receiving treatment with the device. For example, if a dialysis treatment lasting four hours is scheduled on a dialysis machine and the dialysis machine has been sequence-programmed correspondingly, the dialysis machine can issue a message a certain time in advance indicating that the end of treatment is approaching, so that preparations can be made for all the requisite steps for terminating the treatment, thus avoiding any unnecessary delays. In the case of haemodialysis, steps of such kind include for example disconnecting the vascular connections from the patient to the extracorporeal blood circuit of the dialysis treatment, and subsequent wound care at the puncture sites, among others. Messages or message signals within the meaning of the provisional invention include the aforementioned alarm signals as well as the aforementioned output of other messages. Messages or message signals of such kind are often audible acoustic signals to inform the responsible staff or the patient reliably without the need for visual contact with the apparatus. But message signals may also be of a visual or haptic nature. In order to ensure that the message signals can also be received by persons at some distance, the signals are often output with a correspondingly high intensity. This intensity is often felt to be too high when a person is close to the unit. In many cases, healthcare facilities such as hospitals or doctors' surgeries house many medical technology devices, which are frequently in operation for monitoring and/or treating multiple patients at the same time. Accordingly, many message signals are often output at the same time as well. Consequently, this may result in a situation in which it is no longer possible to reliably distinguish between the individual message signals, and consequently causing the medical staff to become overburdened and confused. The simultaneous output of a large number of message signals may also be perceived as stressful and annoying, particularly when the messages are output as audible acoustic signals. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object underlying the present invention is to configure the output of messages for medical technology devices in such a way that the limitations described above are surmounted. This is achieved according to the invention with a messaging apparatus according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 15. Given the above, in accordance with claim 1, a messaging apparatus 100 is suggested, comprising a first detection unit 101 for detecting various activation states, an assignment unit 102, in which at least one message and one effort parameter each is associated with the