Portable expansion unit for operating a medical device, and method for operating a medical device

Abstract

A portable expansion unit controls safety-relevant functions of a medical device. The expansion unit has a retaining device to be adjusted to the size of a flat, portable operating unit of the medical device. The retaining device mechanically connects the expansion unit detachably with the portable operating unit. A communication module establishes a safety-related data connection with the medical device. This combines a mobile, portable consumer operating device, such as a tablet computer or smartphone, which does not fulfill any particular safety-related requirements, with an expansion unit, which permits the control of safety-relevant functions with the aid of a safety-related radio protocol.

Claims

1. A portable expansion unit for controlling functions of a medical device, the expansion unit comprising: a retaining device to be adjusted to a size of a flat, portable operating unit of the medical device, said retaining device being configured to mechanically connect the expansion unit detachably to the portable operating unit, the, portable operating unit being a tablet computer or a smartphone; and a first communication module configured to establish a data connection with the medical device to control at least one function selected from the group consisting of triggering a release of radiation from the medical device and controlling a movement of the medical device; and a second communication module configured to exchange data with the portable operating unit.

2. The expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said retaining device is configured to clamp said expansion unit from the underside of the portable operating unit to the portable operating unit.

3. The expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein said retaining device includes a displaceable lever to be fixed continuously adjustably in said retaining device and configured to affix the portable operating unit in the expansion unit.

4. The expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein said retaining device includes a displaceable lever with a spring balancer configured to affix the portable operating unit in the expansion unit.

5. The expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein an underside of the expansion unit is a flat surface.

6. The expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said first communication module is configured to establish a Bluetooth connection or a WLAN connection.

7. The expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said second communication module is connected via NFC or USB to the portable operating unit.

8. The expansion unit according to claim 1, which comprises an operating field facing a user during operation, which is embodied to project beyond the operating unit when the expansion unit is mechanically connected with the portable operating unit.

9. The expansion unit according to claim 8, wherein said operating field has a touchscreen.

10. The expansion unit according to claim 1, which comprises at least one button on said retaining device disposed for selective triggering by a user of the expansion unit using a hand that is holding the expansion unit.

11. A combination, comprising: a medical device; a flat portable operating unit being a tablet computer or a smartphone; and a portable expansion unit for controlling functions of the medical device, the expansion unit including: a retaining device to be adjusted to a size of the flat, portable operating unit, said retaining device being configured to mechanically connect the expansion unit detachably to the portable operating unit; a first communication module configured to establish a data connection with the medical device enabling a user to control at least one function selected from the group consisting of triggering a release of radiation from the medical device and controlling a movement of the medical device; and a second communication module configured to exchange data with the portable operating unit.

12. The combination according to claim 11, wherein said retaining device is configured to clamp said combination from the underside of the portable operating unit to the portable operating unit.

13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said retaining device includes a displaceable lever to be fixed continuously adjustably in said retaining device and configured to affix the portable operating unit in the combination.

14. The combination according to claim 12, wherein said retaining device includes a displaceable lever with a spring balancer configured to affix the portable operating unit in the combination.

15. The combination according to claim 11, wherein said first communication module is configured to establish a Bluetooth connection or a WLAN connection.

16. The combination according to claim 11, wherein said second communication module is connected via NFC or USB to the portable operating unit.

17. The combination according to claim 11, which comprises an operating field facing a user during operation, which is embodied to project beyond the operating unit when the combination is mechanically connected with the portable operating unit.

18. The combination according to claim 17, wherein said operating field has a touchscreen.

19. The combination according to claim 11, which comprises at least one button on said retaining device disposed for selective triggering by a user of the combination using a hand that is holding the combination.

20. A method for operating a medical device, the method comprises providing the combination according to claim 11 and selectively triggering the medical device to release the radiation by way of said portable expansion unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a top perspective of an expansion unit on a tablet computer;

(2) FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective of an expansion unit on a tablet computer;

(3) FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the retaining device of an expansion unit; and

(4) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an arrangement with an expansion unit and a medical device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

(5) Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a portable expansion unit 1, which is fastened to a portable, flat operating unit 3 (a commercially available tablet computer, for instance). The expansion unit 1 surrounds the rear side of the operating unit 3 in the manner of a bracket. To this end, it has a retaining device, with a claw-shaped end 9 which is shown. The claw 9 embraces the edge of the operating unit 3. All parameters of a medical device are set and non-safety relevant functions are controlled with the aid of the operating unit 3.

(6) The operating field 7 of the expansion unit 1 is also shown, with the aid of which safety-relevant functions of a medical device (for instance an x-ray trigger) can be controlled. The operating field 7 can be embodied as a touch screen or as a keypad, for instance. It projects beyond the operating unit 3, so that it is easily visible and operable.

(7) FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the arrangement in FIG. 1 from below. The expansion unit 1 is detachably fastened to the operating unit 3 from the rear side of the operating unit 3 with the aid of the retaining device 2. To this end, the retaining device 2 has a lever 6, which can be embodied as a locking lever or as a spring balancer. As a result, the expansion unit 1 is clamped to the operating unit 3.

(8) The underside of the housing of the retaining device 2 is flat and beveled, so that the operating unit 3 can be placed on a flat surface in a secure and shake-free manner. The expansion unit 1 therefore acts a desk for the operating unit 3.

(9) A keyboard 10, which permits a single-handed actuation with the hand holding the expansion unit, may also be arranged on the retaining device 2.

(10) FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an arrangement with an expansion unit 1 and a medical device 8. The expansion unit 1 has a first communication module 4 and a second communication module 5. A secure data connection, for instance by way of Bluetooth or WLAN, can be set up via the first communication module 4 to the medical device 8. The second communication module 5 can be used to communicate with the operating unit 3 via NFC or USB.

(11) The expansion unit 1 has the following properties and functions:

(12) In accordance with regulatory provisions to be fulfilled, it also permits safety-relevant functions, such as movements or radiation release of medical devices 8, to be wirelessly controlled by keystroke.

(13) If necessary, an emergency stop function can also be realized, wherein the emergency stop switch signals to the user via a colored display whether he is currently active or inactive, i.e. whether or not a safety-related communication connection currently exists.

(14) The assignment between an operating unit 3, such as a tablet computer or smartphone, to an expansion unit 1 can be fixedly assigned by way of allocating ID codes. Alternatively, the assignment can also be carried out automatically by way of a near field radio connection (e.g. NFC) or by way of a wired communication (e.g. USB or Audio Interface).

(15) In order to ensure the data security of important setting parameters, the expansion unit 1 can check the consistency of these parameters, before a safety-relevant function, such as a movement or radiation, can be released by a keypress on the operating field 7. For this purpose, the expansion unit 1 receives the desired setting parameters from the operating unit 3, e.g. via a near field radio connection or a wired communication. The expansion unit 1 receives the actually set parameters from the medical device 8 via the secure radio connection. The respective function will only be released when there is a match between the parameters which are desired and the parameters which are set on the medical device 8.

(16) The expansion unit 1 can be registered by suitably encoding the wireless communication (with the aid of the first communication module 4) and the allocation of ID codes to one or a number of medical devices 8, in order to operate the same.

(17) Provided the expansion unit 1 is registered to a number of devices 8, the user can select on the user interface of the operating unit 3 which registered medical device 8 he would like to operate. The user interface of the operating field 7 is then automatically adjusted to the requirements of the respective device 8. Alternatively, the device 8 to be operated can be selected by way of a wireless communication by means of near field radio connection (e.g. NFC).

(18) The shaping of the expansion unit 1 is designed such that it is held together with the operating unit 3 or securely from below with the fingers of one hand and can be easily operated with the other hand.

(19) On account of the beveled shape of the expansion unit 1, the operating unit 3 is placed into a desk position when positioned on a table so that the operation can be carried out in a very ergonomic and user-friendly manner.

(20) Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail based on the preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the examples given and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the protective scope of the invention.

(21) The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

(22) 1 Expansion unit

(23) 2 Retaining device

(24) 3 Operating unit

(25) 4 First communication module

(26) 5 Second communication module

(27) 6 Lever of the retaining device 2

(28) 7 Operating field of the expansion unit 1

(29) 8 Medical device

(30) 9 Collar-shaped end of the lever 6

(31) 10 Button