Medical Device With Information Reader

What is this patent about?

’180 is related to the field of medical device integration, specifically addressing the problem of associating barcode scanners or other information readers with medical devices like infusion pumps in a hospital setting. The background highlights the limitations of permanently attaching scanners to devices and the inflexibility of existing barcode medication administration (BCMA) systems, where scanners primarily interact with a centralized system rather than directly with the medical devices themselves.

The underlying idea behind ’180 is to enable a more flexible and direct communication pathway between information readers and medical devices. This is achieved by having the medical device display a scannable tag (e.g., a barcode) containing information that uniquely identifies the device. When a scanner reads this tag, it establishes an association with that specific medical device, allowing subsequent scans (like medication barcodes) to be routed directly to it.

The claims of ’180 focus on an infusion pump (or system) equipped with a display that renders a scannable tag. This tag, when scanned, provides the information reader with the necessary data to uniquely identify the infusion pump. The infusion pump is then configured to receive medication information, such as infusion parameters, medication names, or order identifiers, after the information reader scans a medication barcode.

In practice, a nurse could use a barcode scanner to first scan the tag displayed on the infusion pump. This action associates the scanner with that particular pump. Subsequently, when the nurse scans the barcode on a medication bag, the information from that scan is automatically routed to the associated infusion pump, ensuring the correct medication and dosage parameters are used. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors.

This approach differs from prior solutions by creating a dynamic and direct link between the scanner and the medical device. Instead of relying on a central system to interpret scans and relay information, the infusion pump itself becomes the endpoint . The use of a dynamically generated or static scannable tag on the device allows for easy association and disassociation, providing a more streamlined and error-free medication administration process. The system can also incorporate a device agent to manage scan workflows and rules, adding another layer of safety and control.