Voice interface for a dialysis machine

US9839735B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Lee Tanenbaum · Walnut Creek, US
• Fei Wang · Hangzhou City, CN
• Mario Gumina · Danville, US
• Tom Merics · Antioch, US
• Eric Hoffstetter · Pleasanton, US
• Matthew Doyle · Walnut Creek, US
• Aleo Nobel Mok · Orinda, US
• Wayne Raiford · Fairfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 8, 2015
• Grant date: Dec 12, 2017
• Expiry date: Mar 18, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G10L2015/223
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a microphone and a component that provide voice recognition capabilities to the machine. For example, in some implementations, the component is configured to identify and/or authenticate voice commands that are issued by a user. The voice command may cause the dialysis machine to carry out a dialysis function. Alternatively, the voice command may cause a user interface of the dialysis machine (e.g., a display, such as a touchscreen display) to be adjusted. A dialysis machine can also include a speaker for providing spoken information to a user. For example, in some implementations, the speaker can provide spoken instructions to assist the user in machine set-up, calibration, and/or operation. Such spoken instructions can be particularly useful in a home dialysis setting. In some implementations, the speaker can provide spoken alarms that are related to alarm conditions.