Reconfigurable user interface for modular patient monitor

US6188407A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Critikon Company, L.L.C. · US

Inventors

• Kathy K. Smith · Tampa, US
• Richard Medero · Tampa, US
• Edward V. Cruz · Newbury Park, US
• David Hoard · Carlsbad, US
• Brian Lewis Pate · Tampa, US
• Robert S. Wallace · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 4, 1998
• Grant date: Feb 13, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 4, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S715/97
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A reconfigurable user interface for a modular patient monitor which selectively populates menus for operator selection based on the parameters which are available at any given time. Due to event processing, when a parameter module is added or removed from the system, the reconfigurable user interface is updated immediately to reflect the addition or subtraction of the associated parameter. A flash box in each menu provides shortcuts to the most likely menu option in response to asynchronous events such as alarms and the like. The flash box also assists the operator with the particular steps that must be followed to properly setup or operate a particular feature of the system. Since the menus are not modal, an operator may navigate the menus without making any selections or changing the state of the device.