US 4,370,983 A · Computer-control medical care system

Abstract

A computer-controlled medical care system for use in the treatment and diagnosis of patients provides for either automatic or manual control of a wide variety of medical procedures including diagnostic procedures. The system accepts modular vessel structures, each type of structure being adapted for carrying out a specific procedure and matching programs for carrying out the specific procedures. A microcomputer accepts a program which may be designed to fit the needs of a specific patient and which must match the modular vessel structure. The microcomputer monitors the progress of the process and the physiologic status of the patient and provides for the taking of appropriate steps should difficulties be encountered in carrying out the procedure. The system can also be programmed to analyze a fluid taken from an individual, to treat the fluid and return same to the individual and to schedule the infusion of appropriate medications. Embodiments of the system provide for carrying out only a limited group of procedures where a full-range system is undesirable either because unnecessary or uneconomic. Modular vessel structures are keyed to specific programs, thereby preventing operator errors and increasing the reliability of the system.

Claims64

Dependent claims

A computer-controlled medical care system suitable for carrying out any of a plurality of selected medical procedures in response to any of a plurality of selected programs, the term "medical procedures" being taken as inclusive of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures comprising:

computer means for receiving any of said plurality of programs, each of said programs being associated with a specific medical procedure;
at least one modular vessel structure, each modular vessel structure hereinafter termed "module";
support means for holding at least one said module, said module including first duct means for connecting with an individual and being arranged and constructed for cooperation with said support means for carrying out a selected procedure, said module including procedure-indicating means for indicating the specific procedure for which said module is designed;
and procedure-sensing and signalling means for sensing said specific procedure when said module is held in said support means for communicating the nature of said specific procedure to said computer means, said computer means being arranged and constructed for comparing said specific procedure with a selected program and for indicating whether said specific procedure and selected program correspond.

1 more element

Apparatus for cooperating with any of a plurality of types of modular vessel structures, each type of modular vessel structure hereinafter termed "modules", in carrying out any of a plurality of selected medical procedures on an individual, the term "medical procedure" being taken as inclusive of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, said apparatus comprising:

computer means programmable for monitoring each selected procedure and determining any necessary adjustment in said procedure;
a first region for retaining a first said module in a fixed pattern, said module including first tubing means;
first variable-rate pump means in said first region for receiving and cooperating with said first tubing means and transferring fluid therethrough;
first sensor means for sensing the value of a first variable of said fluid within said first module relating to a selected one of said medical procedures and indicative of the progress of a first said selected procedure and for signalling said value to said computer means;
first indicator means connected with said computer means for indicating appropriate adjustment in said first selected procedure;
a second region for retaining a second said module in a fixed pattern, said second module including a second and third tubing means;
second variable-rate means in said region for transferring fluid through said second and third tubing means;
second sensor means for sensing the value of a second variable of said fluid within said second module relating to a second selected medical procedure and indicative of the progress of said second selected procedure and for signalling said value to said computer means, said computer means being arranged and constructed for evaluating said signalled values and determining any necessary adjustment in said second procedure on the basis of said second variable;
and
second indicator means connected with said computer means for indicating said necessary adjustment in said second procedure.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Computer-control medical care system

Life of this patent

Computer-control medical care system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims64