DE10033836A1 - Bio medical monitoring and signal processing has information fed over clinic intranet and also to internet - Google Patents

Abstract

Bio signals such as cardio signals, can be obtained and logged (2). This data can be fed to a web server (5) and analysis tools used for interpretation (4). Results may be transmitted via a network within a clinic to a terminal in a nursing centre. Information can also be transmitted from the clinic network onto the internet.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for providing bio signals according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention relates in particular to a Method for providing bio signals, comprising the following steps: On take in at least one biosignal and store the at least one biosignal a database, the database at least partially via a data network can be gripped. The term "database" denotes here and below as well as any kind of stored entity, as well as a database in the informati on-theoretical sense.

Examples of bio-signals in the use of obstetric monitoring are Contractions of a pregnant woman or the heart rate of the fetus. The "CTG" (Cardiotocogram) is the most frequently used method for monitoring pregnancy and childbirth Ultrasound transducer and a pressure sensor the fetal heart rate (FHF) and the Movements of the fetus (movement profile), as well as the maternal via a pressure sensor contractions (tocogram) measured. The standard CTG monitors are limited essentially on the visualization and printout of FHF, tokogram and Motion profile. A doctor or obstetrician uses this record to which can extend over many hours, an analysis and interpretation of the CTG's before.

A particular problem with the CTG analysis is not too small Sensitivity: a critical state of the child is almost always timely as such recognized. Rather, the problem is the high rate of false positive CTG findings from 50-70%. This means that in more than half of the cases the child despite pathological schematic CTG is doing well. This ultimately leads to a large number of unnecessary ones performed Caesarean sections.

That is why there is the analysis of CTGs, but also generally of biosignals a large number of deficits, particularly with regard to availability the locally available data and their preparation for quantitative analysis.  

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art to avoid technology, and in particular to specify a method which is based on simple way possible variable access to the bio signals light.

This problem is solved with a method of the type mentioned at the beginning in that the data network is the Internet and that the biosignals as browser-readable Files are saved.

Thus, the biosignals, which rele in particular medically or physiologically Various parameters or sizes are accessible anywhere on the Internet. Any one Terminal, even without special software, is then able to process the bio signals in one to represent a comfortable shape. The biosignals can be sent to an internet terminal, a cell phone (in particular WAP cell phone) or another device become.

A particular advantage of the present invention is that the Invention appropriate task with minimal interventions in existing hardware and software structures is solved.

Another advantage of the present invention is that by the invention Internet-compatible databases are automatically generated for further use.

The at least one biosignal is preferably stored essentially as an image file chert. By saving it as an image file, on the one hand, a simple technical Realization enables and on the other hand an evaluation of the provided biosi gnale possible, since this is usually only done visually and this is also sufficient. In addition, the data on which the biosignal is based can also be stored as values are saved, these values then being used for the purpose of further evaluation can be pulled.  

Access to the database from the data network by acquiring a veri is preferred specification of a user serving date and by comparing it with an egg protected from a pre-stored value. The verification date can be a password PIN code, a biometric date or the like. To further increase the Security is the transfer of data between the database and the data network is at least partially encrypted.

Advantageously, depending on the user verification serving date preselected display parameters for displaying the bio signals turns. Thus, users can choose the display that suits them the most is most familiar, which significantly improves the quality of analysis.

The biosignals are preferably recorded in an intermediate Database, and then stored at substantially predetermined times transfer the database accessible from the data network. This way, despite the Availability of the data records over the Internet is the system area in which the Data recorded are shielded from the outside world.

Additional optional additions to the invention include: displaying the at least one NEN biosignal, printing the at least one biosignal, and transmitting the at least one biosignal.

In addition to the biosignals, further data are preferably recorded on which cannot be accessed via the external data network. In particular, these are there who are not relevant for medical diagnosis or remain anonymous should.

An advantageous area of application for the method according to the invention is obstetrics Liche monitoring, wherein the biosignals at least one from the following group of signals: heart rate of a fetus, movement profile of the fetus. Toco grams, and oxygen saturation.  

The database is preferably linked to further databases, one of which or contains more than one of the following data: standard and reference curves, standard values te, training curves, and recommendations for action. This way it becomes comprehensive System implemented, which enables detailed evaluation and training. Exactly So is a visual comparison of the biosignal with data archives, as well as an automated one (Pre) classification possible according to scoring systems.

Representation of the bio signals at a terminal over which the Internet browser changes can be. A replica of an online system is thus achieved.

The biosignal is advantageously displayed essentially as a film. For further Increased ease of use is speed, resolution and the like Chen of the displayed film adjustable. This enables an intuitive grasp of the bio signals and further increases the quality of the evaluation.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Biosignals parameters as a function of time, using the browser's time scale and / or the temporal section of the representation of the parameters can be changed. Other inputs can also be initiated via the browser, such as B. the Controlling a substance or drug supply or treatment / therapy Activities.

Several different types of bio-signals are advantageously used simultaneously displayed. Alternatively or in addition, different bio signals are generated simultaneously displayed in the same way. For example, routine monitoring is recommended simultaneous display of CTG's of several patients, while in the case of a pathologi CTG's, a detailed display of different bio signals is preferred.

A section of a biosignal can advantageously be marked and addressed chend the marking of the section of this with a pre-stored signal compared, with a result assigned to the pre-stored signal being compared Date is displayed. By using a pre-stored signal, a  Recourse to a data archive is made possible, which increases the accuracy of the analysis elevated.

At least one point in time of a biosignal can preferably be marked and assigned to it orderly a comment can be entered in a database. In this way, in particular marked a prominent position and also a diagnosis to other experts be made accessible. The system is preferably also equipped with a video conference limit switching optionality, so that an exchange of views among experts is possible.

The invention, as well as further features, goals, advantages and application possibilities The same will be described below based on a description of before drafted embodiments explained in more detail. All described and / or illustrated features for themselves and / or in any meaningful combination the subject of the present invention, regardless of the combination the wording in the claims or their relationship. In the drawings demonstrate:

FIG. 1 is a highly schematic block diagram showing a system architecture according to the present invention, preferred;

FIG. 2 shows one possible way of presentation, the BSi provided by the invention gnale;

Fig. 3 shows a further possible way of presentation, the bio-signals provided by the invention; and

Fig. 4 shows a further possible way of presentation, the bio-signals provided by the invention.

In Fig. 1 is schematically recognizes a preferred system architecture 1 for the implemen tation of the method according to the invention. In the left part of the figure, part of a clinic's intranet (for working in online mode) is shown, while in the right part of the figure system components are shown outside (for working in offline mode). For example, CTG monitoring stations 2 , 2 ', 2 ''arranged in a delivery room. , , transmit the recorded measured values to a data server 3 . The data server 3 takes on the task, among other things, of bringing the data together in a central computer. The data can be processed using suitable analysis tools 4 . The data is accessible to the internal clinic network via a web server 5 . For example, the corresponding bio-signals of all patients in a ward can be displayed at a terminal in a nurses' room. This is illustrated by the schematic representation 6 . In preferably regular time intervals, the data are transported from the clinic's intranet to the outside via an FTP service 7 , which is an independent component. The data is administered via a database manager 8 (access and provision of the data) and given via a web server 9 on the Internet. Based on user requests, dynamic HTML pages are generated that use the current database. Analy setools 10 are also available for processing in the second (right) part of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, a display form of a CTG analyzer according to the invention is illustrated by way of example. The CTG analyzer is available on the clinic's intranet. The position of the section of the CTG visualized in window 12 can be seen in an upper overview bar 11 . The fetal heart rate is plotted in the window 12 , the labor activity is plotted in the window 14 , in between the strength of the child's movements in the window 13 as additional information. In an area 15 cursor-activatable bare keypads are arranged in the manner of a cassette recorder, which in particular have a forward, stop and reverse function. In a recorded CTG, the fast forward and fast rewind buttons can be used to control interesting areas in the shortest possible time. In a lower area 16 , different filters for signal processing can be selected.

In Fig. 3 it can be seen a web-enabled CTG -Viewer. Via a password-protected access you can access a visualization program with a browser (e.g. Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Explorer). Individually selected CTGs can then be visualized in the browser. The representation itself then essentially corresponds to that described in connection with FIG. 2. The CTG analyzer of FIG. 2, which is present online, is therefore mimicked offline and on the Internet by the invention.

In FIG. 4 is a representation form is selected at the same time a plurality of CTG's (FHR 12 and uterine activity 14) are presented. For reasons of space, some of the functions shown in FIG. 2 are omitted, but this enables a large number of patients to be monitored simultaneously. FIG. 4 therefore provides a multi-bed representation in comparison to the single bed representations of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The invention was previously based on preferred embodiments thereof explained in more detail. However, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that different Modifications and modifications can be made without the the inventor deviate from the underlying ideas.  

Reference list

1

System architecture

2, 2

'

, 2nd

'' CTG monitoring stations

3rd

Data server

4

Analysis tools

5

Webserver

6

schematic representation

7

FTP service

8th

Database manager

9

Webserver

10th

Analysis tools

11

upper overview bar

12th

window

13

window

14

window

15

Area

16

lower area

Claims (20)

1. A method for providing bio signals, comprising the following steps:

• - Recording at least one biosignal, and
• - Saving the at least one biosignal in a database, the database being at least partially accessible via a data network, characterized in that the data network is the Internet and that the biosi signals are stored as browser-readable files.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one bio signal is essentially stored as an image file. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the access to Database from the data network by capturing a verification of a user date and by comparing it with a pre-stored value is protected. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that depending on the Preselected display parameters for verification of the user date Representation of the bio signals are used. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the Transfer of data between the database and the data network at least in part done encrypted. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the biosignals ge after recording them in an intermediate database are stored, and then at substantially predetermined times in the data network accessible database are transmitted. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following step:

• - Displaying the at least one biosignal.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fol lowing step:

• - Printing out the at least one biosignal.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fol lowing step:

• - Remote transmission of the at least one biosignal.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the bio-signals, additional data are recorded, to which no data is transferred the external data network can be accessed. 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method for obstetric monitoring is provided, the biosi signals having at least one of the following group of signals:

• - heart rate of a fetus,
• - movement profile of the fetus,
• - Tocogram, and
• - oxygen saturation.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the database is linked to other databases, which has one or more of the following data:

• - standard and reference curves,
• - standard values,
• - training curves, and
• - Recommendations for action.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that display of the bio signals at a terminal via the Internet browser can be changed. 14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the biosignal is essentially displayed as a film. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the speed, the resolution and the like of the displayed film is adjustable. 16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the biosignals have parameters as a function of time, using the browser the time scale and / or the temporal section of the representation of the parameters changed can be. 17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that several different types of bio-signals are displayed at the same time. 18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized thereby, that different bio signals of the same type are displayed at the same time. 19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a section of a biosignal is markable and in response to the marking of the section of this is compared with a pre-stored signal, where as The result of the comparison shows a date assigned to the pre-stored signal becomes. 20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one point in time of a biosignal can be marked and assigned a Comment can be entered in a database.