DEVICE FOR ADMINISTERING A MEDICAL LIQUID, AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

Abstract

A device for administering a medical liquid and a method for operating the device. The device includes a main part having a receiving region and a drive. The receiving region can receive a liquid-containing hollow body. The drive can act on the hollow body such that liquid in the hollow body is conveyed. A control unit controls the drive. A cover is movably connected to the main part and covers the exterior of the receiving region in a closed position. The cover has a manually blockable input unit for inputting commands. In the closed position of the cover, a manual input can be entered on the input unit. A sensor detects whether the cover is in the closed position. The control unit ensures that the input unit is blocked when the sensor detects that the cover is open. Another device features a lockable cover.

Claims

1. A device for administering a medical liquid, the device comprising; a main part which has a receiving region and a drive, the receiving region being configured for at least partly receiving a hollow body containing a liquid, and the drive being configured for acting on the hollow body such that the liquid is conveyed; a control unit for controlling the drive; a cover which is movably connected to the main part and which covers an exterior of the receiving region in a closed position; an input unit that is manually blockable for manually inputting commands on the control unit, the input unit provided on the cover in an arrangement that allows a manual input to be entered on the input unit from outside the cover when the cover is in a closed position; and a sensor configured for detecting whether the cover is in the closed position, the control unit configured to determine whether the input unit is blocked when the sensor detects that the cover is opened, and to block the input unit when the input unit is not blocked and the cover is detected to be opened.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to unblock the input unit after an opening of the cover that causes blocking of the input unit, when the sensor detects that the cover is closed.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to maintain the input unit in a blocked condition after a blocking of the input unit, which is not caused by an opening of the cover and an opening of the cover when the sensor detects that the cover is closed.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to cancel a manual input that is started prior to an opening of the cover and continues when the cover is opened.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect whether the hollow body is received in the receiving region the control unit being configured to carry out unblocking and/or blocking of the input unit depending on a position of the cover only when the sensor detects that the hollow body is received in the receiving region.

6. A device for administering a medical liquid, the device comprising: a main part which has a receiving region and a drive, the receiving region being configured for at least partly receiving a hollow body containing a liquid, and the drive being configured for acting on the hollow body such that the liquid is conveyed; a control unit for controlling the drive; a cover which is movably connected to the main part and covers an exterior of the receiving region in a closed position, an input unit that is manually blockable for manually inputting commands on the control unit, the input unit being provided on the cover in an arrangement that allows a manual input to be entered on the input unit from outside the cover when the cover is in a closed position; a locking device configured for locking the cover in the closed position; and a sensor unit configured for detecting whether the cover is locked in the closed position, the control unit configured to determine whether the input unit is blocked when the sensor unit detects that the cover is closed and unlocked, and to block the input unit when the input unit is not blocked and the cover is detected to be unlocked.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to unblock the input unit after unlocking and opening of the cover and blocking of the input unit which is caused by unlocking, when the sensor unit detects that the cover is closed and locked.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to maintain the input unit in a blocked condition after a blocking of the input unit, which is not caused by an unlocking of the cover and an unlocking of the cover when the sensor detects that the cover is locked.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to cancel a manual input that is started before unlocking of the cover and continues when the cover is unlocked.

10. The device according to claim 6, further comprising a sensor configured for detecting whether the hollow body is received in the receiving region, the control unit configured to carry out an unblocking and/or blocking of the input unit depending on a locking of the cover that is closed only when the sensor detects that the hollow body is received in the receiving region.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to block the input unit after unblocking and a subsequent expiry of a time interval in which no manual input is carried out on the input unit.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a position sensor which is configured for detecting a change of position of the main part, the control unit is configured to determine, when the change of position exceeds a predetermined threshold, whether the input unit is blocked, and when the input unit is not blocked, to block the input unit.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit includes a blockable touch-sensitive screen.

14. A method for operating a device for administering a medical liquid comprising a main part which has a receiving region and a drive, the receiving region being configured for at least partly receiving a hollow body containing a liquid, and the drive being configured for acting on the hollow body such that the liquid is conveyed, and comprising a cover which is movably connected to the main part and which covers an exterior of the receiving region in a closed position, and further comprising an input unit that is manually blockable for manually inputting commands on the control unit, the input unit being provided on the cover in an arrangement that allows a manual input to be entered on the input unit from outside the cover when the cover is in the closed position, the method comprising the steps of: detecting whether the cover is in the closed position; determining whether the input unit is blocked when the cover is detected to be opened; and blocking the input unit when the input unit is not blocked and when an opening of the cover is detected.

15. A method for operating a device for administering a medical liquid comprising a main part which has a receiving region and a drive, the receiving region being configured for at least partly receiving a hollow body containing a liquid, and the drive being configured for acting on the hollow body such that the liquid is conveyed, and comprising a cover which is movably connected to the main part and which covers an exterior of the receiving region in a closed position, and comprising an input unit that is manually blockable for manually inputting commands on the control unit, the input unit being provided on the cover in an arrangement that allows a manual input to be entered on the input unit from outside the cover when the cover is in the closed position, and further comprising a locking device which is configured for locking the cover in the closed position, the method comprising the steps of: detecting whether the cover is locked in the closed position; determining whether the input unit is blocked when cover is detected to be closed and unlocked; and blocking the input unit when the input unit is not blocked and when an unlocking of the cover is detected.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0054] In the following, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure in the form of a syringe pump with a closed cover;

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the cover being in an opened position;

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure in the form of an infusion pump with a closed cover;

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 3 with the cover being in an opened position;

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the device shown in FIG. 4 according to arrow V in FIG. 4;

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a detail section view of a locking device according to arrow VI in FIG. 4 in a state just before a cover is closed and locked; and

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a detail section view of the locking device in a locked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate perspective views of a device 2 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure in the form of a syringe pump. In FIG. 1, the device 2 is shown with a cover 4 in a closed position. In FIG. 2, the device 2 is shown with the cover 4 in an opened position.

[0063] The device 2 has a substantially box-shaped main part 6. The device 2 includes the cover 4 on a long lateral surface of the main part 6 facing a user in the position of use of the device 2. The lateral surface of the main part 6 facing the cover 4 has a receiving region 8. The receiving region 8 is designed to receive a syringe (not shown) such that a plunger of the syringe can be displaced using a slide 10 disposed on a short side of the receiving region 8. The slide 10 is moved for this purpose by means of a drive integrated in the main part 6. To mount a syringe in the receiving region 8 in a simple manner, on the slide 10 a spring-loaded actuating element 12 is provided which, in an actuated state, detaches the slide 10 from the drive such that the slide 10 can be manually displaced.

[0064] The cover 4 is pivotably connected, via a hinge device 14, to a long edge of the main part 6 disposed at the bottom in the position of use of the device 2.

[0065] On an inside of the cover 4, spring clips 16 by means of which the cover 4 is clamped to the main part 6 in the closed position are provided at a long edge opposite to the hinge device 14.

[0066] On an outside of the cover 4 opposite to the inside, a lockable touch-sensitive screen 18 is provided which is connected to a control unit (not shown) provided in the main part 6. The screen 18 has the contour of an elongate rectangle and extends along the substantially rectangular cover 4. Plural buttons 20 connected to the control unit are provided at a short edge of the screen 18 opposite to the slide 10. The screen 18 and the buttons 20 form the input unit according to the disclosure in the present embodiment.

[0067] In the position of the cover 4 shown in FIG. 1, the screen 18 is usually unlocked. By manually inputting a blocking operation sequence on the screen 18, the control unit can block the screen 18. The blocking operation sequence comprises at least two steps to reduce a probability for inadvertent input of the blocking operation sequence. Accordingly, by manually inputting an unblocking sequence on the screen 18, the screen 18 can be unblocked. Also, the device can be designed so that at least one of the buttons 20 is included in the blocking operation sequence and/or the unblocking operation sequence, that is, must be pressed in the course of the respective sequence.

[0068] In the cover 4, at least one magnet (not shown) is provided. In the main part 6 at least one Hall sensor (not shown) connected to the control unit is provided.

[0069] When the cover 4 is pivoted out of the closed position shown in FIG. 1, the control unit detects a change of the signal of the Hall sensor and notes that the cover 4 is opened. The device can also be designed such that a push button/pressure sensor/contact sensor is installed in the cover 4 and/or in the main part 6, and that the control unit detects the closing and, correspondingly, the opening of the cover 4 based on the contacting of the push button/pressure sensor/contact sensor when the cover 4 is closed.

[0070] As soon as the control unit notes the cover 4 as opened, the control unit checks and, resp., determines whether the screen 18 is blocked. When the screen 18 is blocked already when the opened cover 4 is detected, the control unit leaves the screen 18 in the blocked state. When the screen 18 is not blocked when the opened cover 4 is detected, the control unit blocks the screen 18.

[0071] The device 2 includes a pivotable U-shaped carrying bracket 22. The free ends of the carrying bracket 22 are pivotably connected to the main part 6 centrally at each of the short edges on an upper side of the main part 6. In a folded position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the carrying bracket 22 extends along the edges of the main part 6. In an unfolded position (not shown), the carrying bracket 22 is spread from the main part 6 and provides a handle for carrying the device 2.

[0072] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate perspective views of a device 102 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure in the form of an infusion pump. FIG. 3 shows the device 102 with a cover 104 in a closed position. FIG. 4 shows the device 102 with the cover 104 in an opened position. FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the device 102 with an opened cover 104. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate section views of a part of a locking device for the cover 104 of the device 102 in an unlocked state (FIG. 6) and in a locked state (FIG. 7).

[0073] The device 102 includes a substantially box-shaped main part 106. On a long lateral surface of the main body 106 facing a user in the position of use of the device 102, the device 102 includes the cover 104. The lateral surface of the main part 106 facing the cover 104 has a receiving region 108. The receiving region 108 is designed to receive a tube (not shown) and includes a peristalsis 124 by means of which adjacent sections of the tube can be pinched off one after the other so that a liquid contained in the tube can be conveyed.

[0074] The cover 104 is pivotably connected, via a hinge device 114, to a long edge of the main part 106 disposed at the front bottom in the position of use of the device 102.

[0075] On an inside of the cover 104, at a long edge opposite to the hinge device 114 detent pins 126 are provided which are fitted, in the closed position of the cover 104, into corresponding receptacles 128 at an upper edge of the main part 106 in a position of use of the device 102 at the front and can be fixed in the receptacles 128 by means of a lock bar 130 (shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) in order to lock the cover 104 in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the lock bar 130 has a hook-shaped undercut 132 for each detent pin 126. In the closed position of the cover 104, the detent pins 126 are received in the corresponding receptacles 128. If the lock bar 130 is moved from the unlocked position into the locked position, the detent pins 126 are additionally received by the hook-shaped undercuts 132 of the lock bar 130 so that the receptacles 128 are blocked and the detent pins 126 are caught in the receptacles 128.

[0076] On an outside of the cover 104 opposite to the inside, a blockable touch-sensitive screen 118 is provided that is connected to a control unit (not shown) provided in the main part 106. The screen 118 has the contour of an elongate rectangle and extends along the substantially rectangular cover 104. At the short edges of the screen 118, plural buttons 120 connected to the control unit are provided. The screen 118 and the buttons 120 form the input unit according to the disclosure in the present embodiment.

[0077] In the position of the cover 104 shown in FIG. 3, the screen 118 is usually unblocked. By manually entering a blocking operation sequence on the screen 118, the control unit can block the screen 118. The blocking operation sequence comprises at least two steps to reduce a probability for an accidental input of the blocking operation sequence. Accordingly, by manually entering an unblocking sequence on the screen 118, the screen 118 can be unblocked. The device can also be configured such that at least one of the buttons 120 is included in the blocking operation sequence and/or the unblocking operation sequence, that is, must be pressed in the course of the respective sequence.

[0078] The lock bar 130 provided for fixing the detent pins 126 is coupled to a potentiometer (not shown) by means of which the control unit can determine the position of the lock bar 130 relative to the cover 104. The determination of the position of the cover 104 vis-à-vis the main part 106 can be implemented corresponding to the device 2, i.e., using a Hall sensor or using a push button/pressure sensor/contact sensor. Alternatively, the device 102 can also be designed such that the position of the lock bar 130 is determined corresponding to the position of the cover 104 using a Hall sensor, a push button or a light barrier. The potentiometer (not shown) and the sensor for determining the position of the cover (not shown) together constitute the sensor unit according to the disclosure.

[0079] In order to pivot the cover 104 from the closed position shown in FIG. 3 into the position shown in FIG. 4, a button predefined for this purpose among the buttons 120 must be pressed to cause the lock bar 130 provided for fixing the detent pins 126 to be displaced via the control unit. The control unit monitors the position of the cover 104 relative to the main part 106 and detects a change of the signal of the potentiometer and notes that the cover 104 is “locked and closed”, “unlocked and closed”, or “unlocked and opened”.

[0080] As soon as the cover 104 is noted by the control unit as unlocked, that is, as soon as the state of “locked and closed” is no longer present, the control unit checks whether the screen 118 is blocked. If the screen 118 is blocked already when the unlocked cover 104 is detected, the control unit leaves the screen 118 in the blocked state. If the screen 118 is not blocked when the unlocked cover 104 is detected, the control unit blocks the screen 118.

[0081] The device 102 includes a pivotable U-shaped carrying bracket 122. The free ends of the carrying bracket 122 are pivotably connected to the main part 106 on an upper side of the main part 106 centrally at each of the short edges. In a folded position shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the carrying bracket 122 extends along the edges of the main part 106. In an unfolded position (not shown) the carrying bracket 122 is spread from the main part 106 and provides a handle for carrying the device 102.

[0082] The above-described embodiments of the device according to the disclosure shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 constitute merely two possible implementations.

[0083] According to the described embodiments, the control unit is informed of the blocking operation sequence and the unblocking operation sequence by input on the screen 18 or 118. As an alternative, it is possible to input the blocking operation sequence and the unblocking operation sequence via the buttons 20 or 120. Alternatively, it is also possible to inform the control unit of the blocking operation sequence and the unblocking operation sequence partly by actuating at least one of the buttons 20 or 120 and partly by actuating at least one actuating field displayed on the screen 18 or 118.

[0084] The device 2 or 102 can be equipped with a sensor which is suitable for detecting an unfolding of the carrying bracket 22 or 122. The control unit can be designed to block the screen 18 or 118 when the carrying bracket 22 or 122 is unfolded.