An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.

External infusion device with remote programming, bolus estimator and/or vibration alarm capabilities

A medical device module for use in a system with a personal data assistant (PDA) with at least one medical device includes a housing, at least one medical device and a processor. The housing is adapted to couple with the PDA. The at least one medical device interface is coupled to the housing for interfacing with the at least one medical device. The processor is coupled to the at least one medical device interface to process data from the at least one medical device. The processor is also capable of interfacing with the PDA.

Handheld personal data assistant (PDA) with a medical device and method of using the same

An automated, real-time, reprogrammable monitoring and control system for portable, remote sensors and subjects includes one or more portable monitoring units, each of the portable monitoring units having a sensor, a location-determining device, and a sensor interface unit. Each sensor interface unit is separately configured to monitor its sensor and to transmit that sensor's data, via a digital wireless communications network, to a central monitoring device. The portable unit is carried or worn by a person or animal, or affixed to an inanimate subject.

Reprogrammable remote sensor monitoring system

A method, related system and apparatus are disclosed. The method is implemented by an operative set of processor executable instructions configured for execution by a processor. The method includes the acts of: determining if a monitoring client is connected to a base through a physical connection; establishing a first communications link between the monitoring client and the base through the physical connection; updating, if necessary, the interface program on the monitoring client and the base through the first communications link; establishing a second communications link between the monitoring client and the base using the first communications link; and communicating data from the base to the monitoring client using the second communications link.

System, method, and apparatus for electronic patient care

This invention relates to an interactive medication container or console that hold or otherwise organizes one or more medication vials or containers. Each vial has a memory strip containing medication and prescription information. Each vial can also include a reminder unit that is attached to and portable with the individual vials. The console or reminder unit reads the information strip of the vial and communicates this information to or interacts with a patient to remind them to take the medication. The medication container or reminder unit also gathers or tracks information such as consumption time, quantity remaining, patient feedback, and contraindication information. The medication container or reminder unit interacts with the patient by displaying questions or receiving and recording input from the patient before, during or after a dose of medication is taken. The patient input can be used to modify the dosing regimen for future doses of medication. The medication container reorders medication when the quantity remaining reaches a threshold level. Contraindication information in the memory strip is downloaded to a personal home computer or a hospital or nursing home computer.

Interactive medication container

In accordance with the present invention, a modular patient care system provides patient monitoring and the supply of therapeutic requirements. Specifically, the system is comprised of an interface unit (100) and a plurality of patient functional units (150). The interface unit provides an interface between the user and the system, and may be configured and adapted to provide different levels of functionality. Interface units with different levels of functionality may be interchanged so as to provide greater flexibility, safety, and cost effectiveness. Each interface unit (150) contains interface ports (122) for the transfer of information such as drug libraries, system configuration values, and event history. The functional units are internally programmed and controlled so as to provide a high level of system modularity, and require only power and interfacing functionality from the interface unit.

Modular patient care system

The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing care to a patient, comprising a patient care device having a number of configuration databases stored in a memory in the device Each configuration database preferably includes protocols, operating limits, rule sets and/or operating features that collectively define an operating environment, or personality, of the device Selection of a specific configuration database preferably is based at least in part upon patient-specific information obtained from any location in a distributed hospital network Examples of such patient-specific information include patient age or size, patient medical characteristics, a location of the patient or a location of the care device In a preferred embodiment, programming a patient care device to deliver a drug to a patient entails activating a configuration database and scanning a machine-readable drug label identifying a particular protocol stored in the activated database The selected protocol includes default parameters for delivering the drug, and the label optionally includes instructions for deviating from the default protocol

System and method for managing patient care

A system and method for confirming that a medication administration device has been programmed with the correct medication administration parameters. A medical database carrier is used compare medication delivery parameters entered into a medication administration device to institutionally established guidelines or more widely accepted protocols to ensure that the medication is delivered in accordance to those guidelines. The medical database carrier may also be configured to communicate information regarding medication delivery and other patient information between a control system in communication with the care-giving facility's other information systems and a patient specific asset such as an infusion pump. The medical database carrier may be a smartcard, a PDA such as a PalmTM Pilot, laptop computer, pager, mobile phone, or other device capable of storing, processing and communicating information. The system may use either wired or wireless connections to communicate information between the components of the system.

Medication management system

The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing care to a patient, comprising a patient care device having a number of configuration databases stored in a memory in the device. Each configuration database preferably includes protocols, operating limits, rule sets and/or operating features that collectively define an operating environment, or personality, of the device. Selection of a specific configuration database preferably is based at least in part upon patient-specific information obtained from any location in a distributed hospital network. Examples of such patient-specific information include patient age or size, patient medical characteristics, a location of the patient or a location of the care device. In a preferred embodiment, programming a patient care device to deliver a drug to a patient entails activating a configuration database and scanning a machine-readable drug label identifying a particular protocol stored in the activated database. The selected protocol includes default parameters for delivering the drug, and the label optionally includes instructions for deviating from the default protocol.

Method of providing care to a patient

An infusion system comprises a first pump device that delivers a first infusate, preferably a medication, to an IV infusion line and a second pump device that delivers a second infusate, preferably a neutral carrying solution, to the IV line. The infusion system also includes a measurement device that determines an amount of undelivered first infusate remaining in a receptacle. Furthermore, the infusion system includes a control system that communicates with the first and second delivery devices and the measurement device to determine an optimum first infusate infusion flow rate based on the determined amount of undelivered first infusate remaining in the system, a predetermined volume of fluid to be infused, and a predetermined infusion time period, and for controlling the first delivery unit accordingly.

Timothy W. Vanderveen

Papers

Modular patient care system

System and method for managing patient care

Medication management system

Method of providing care to a patient

Multichannel coordinated infusion system