Hazard mitigation in medical device
US6957368B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L1/22
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Delivery of energy by a defibrillator or other medical device is inhibited when the processor or software that controls a module of the medical device operates abnormally. A windowed watchdog timer (WWDT) incorporated into one module of the medical device is used to control the operation of other modules of the medical device via a software-based extension technique. As a result, the risk of harm to the patient is reduced compared to medical devices that incorporate over-limit type watchdog timers. In addition, costs associated with implementing WWDTs in multiple modules of the defibrillator are avoided, thereby lowering the overall cost of implementation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.