Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling fluid infusion to a patient
Inventors
Rinehart, Joseph • Patton, Douglas • McKeown, Morgan
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11413395-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-16
Expiration Date
2041-12-14
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Abstract
Systems and methods are described for presenting information for managing a vital sign of a patient. A graphical user interface (GUI) can be presented that displays information concerning a vital sign of a patient, including the most current value of the vital sign received and past values of the vital sign over an elapsed time period. Using this information, a time in target value can be generated representing an amount of elapsed time the patient's measured vital sign was within a predetermined range. Preferably, the systems and methods are used with a closed-loop system that may automatically adjust a dosage rate of a medication, although manual control is also contemplated. The GUI may comprise one or more visual indicators presented on the historical data that, when selected, present additional information that may be useful to managing the care of the patient.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems and methods for presenting information through a graphical user interface (GUI) to manage a vital sign of a patient during fluid infusion. The GUI displays both the most current value of a patient's vital sign, obtained from a first source such as a transducer or other sensor, and historical values over an elapsed time period. This historical data is visualized graphically on the GUI, and the user can adjust the displayed time window via selectable objects. The GUI also presents a desired or predetermined vital sign range, defined by minimum and maximum values, and may display a focus value for the vital sign which can be set or changed by a clinician.
A key feature of the system is the calculation and display of a 'time in target' value, which quantifies the percentage of time the patient's vital sign remained within the set predetermined range during the chosen elapsed time period. This value helps clinicians quickly assess control of the patient's vital sign. Additional functionality includes the ability to show dosage rate information for a medication being administered, including current, minimum, and maximum dosage rates, as well as graphical historical trends of dosage rates. The GUI can also show changes or trends in dosage rate, indicate when the infusion device is in automated versus manual mode, and provide visual or color-coded alerts if vital signs or dosage rates fall outside predetermined parameters.
The inventive system addresses problems associated with existing infusion devices, which commonly have limited, bulky, or complex user interfaces and do not provide easy access to pertinent patient information or robust visualization of vital sign trends and infusion data. By integrating touch-screen GUI controls, time-in-target metrics, visual alerts, and interaction with both automated and manual control modes, the system aims to make infusion management easier and to provide clinicians with timely, actionable data for patient care.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims include several inventive features addressing methods and systems for monitoring and managing patient vital signs and medication infusion through a graphical user interface.
GUI displaying current and historical vital sign data with desired range
A graphic user interface (GUI) is presented on a display screen that shows: - A desired range of a vital sign for a patient. - The current value of the vital sign, received from a first source. - A chart/graph of historical data for the vital sign, based on data from the first source. - Upon receiving new vital sign data, the GUI updates the historical data and presents the new value.
Calculation and presentation of time in target value
A first set of vital signs is generated by selecting historical data within a predefined time period. The system estimates a 'time in target' value by determining how long the vital signs were within the desired range, dividing by the predefined time period, and presenting this value as a percentage on the GUI.
Presentation and tracking of medication dosage rates
The GUI presents minimum and maximum dosage rates for a medication, current dosage rate, and, with each new dosage rate update, saves the current rate to historical data and plots these values. The GUI may also generate and display a dosage change indicator showing trend or change between dosage rates.
Alerts for out-of-range values and thresholds
- Alerts are automatically presented on the GUI if: - The current dosage rate is outside the preset minimum or maximum. - The time in target value is below a predefined threshold. - Alerts can include visual indicators such as color changes or pop-ups.
Selectable indicator objects on historical charts showing additional info
The GUI may show indicator objects at specific times on the historical data chart. When an indicator is selected, a window overlays the GUI with a set of information linked to that event/time (e.g., irregular heartbeat, dosage change, a second vital sign).
Automated/manual mode management and comparative time in target metrics
- The GUI provides a selectable management object to switch between automated (closed-loop) and manual systems for vital sign and dosage management. - After switching modes, the system can generate and display separate 'time in target' values for automated and manual periods, enabling side-by-side comparison.
System architecture integrating receiver, processor, and GUI
A system comprising: - A display screen for the GUI. - A receiver to obtain vital sign data from a first source. - A processor communicatively linked to the receiver and display, configured to present vital sign and infusion information and to estimate the time in target value. - The processor can generate specific information displays (minimum/maximum values, focus values, alerts, historical data, dosage change indicator) according to user input or source data.
Estimation and display of remaining medication
The system can estimate the remaining amount of medication by considering initial volume, current dosage rate, and historical dosage rate data. The estimated remaining medication is then displayed on the GUI.
The claims provide comprehensive coverage for a GUI-based infusion monitoring and management system with advanced visualization, automatic calculations of control metrics, real-time and historical data tracking, alerts, interactive event markers, dual-mode operation, and system integration—enhancing the management of patient vital signs and medication delivery.
Stated Advantages
The GUI allows clinicians to quickly see at which times and for how long a patient's vital sign has fallen outside of a desired range.
Displaying the time in target value quickly provides clinicians with an understanding of how well the vital sign was maintained within the target range.
Graphical historical data enables fast review and visualization of a patient's vital sign and medication dosage trends over a selected time period.
Selectable indicator objects provide easy access to additional, pertinent patient information not otherwise displayed, aiding clinical decision-making.
The system allows easier switching and visual tracking between automated and manual control modes, supporting informed comparison of care strategies.
Visual alerts and color indicators help clinicians quickly identify out-of-range values or abnormal events.
Estimated remaining medication aids in planning and ensures uninterrupted therapy.
Overall, the user interface is easier to use and allows ready access to pertinent information, addressing the limitations of prior, bulky, or hard-to-use infusion pump interfaces.
Documented Applications
Use with intravenous (IV) infusion devices for monitoring and managing a vital sign and medication delivery for patients.
Application in systems where a GUI is presented on a touch-screen display, allowing clinical review and adjustment of infusion parameters.
Operation with both closed-loop (automated) and manual modes for dosage rate adjustment in patient care settings.
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