F O R M 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)

1. Title of the invention:
A DEVICE PATIENT MONITOR WITH SECURE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM.
2. Applicant(s):

(a) NAME : LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
(b) NATIONALITY : An Indian Company
(c) ADDRESS : L & T House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001,
State of Maharashtra, India and also having a place of business named as "Medical Equipments & Systems" at Gate No. 5, Mysore Campus, KIADB Industrial Area, Hebbal, Mysore- 570018 Karnataka, India

3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for pairing an Infrared Remote control with an Electronic Device. Particularly, particularly the present invention relates to a system for paring an infrared remote control unit with a Patient Monitoring System. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for paring an infrared remote control unit with a Patient Monitoring System

BACKGROUND AND THE PRIOR ART
In many electronic devices like Patient Monitoring systems, an IR remote control is provided for remotely controlling or changing system settings like alarm and beep volume, acknowledging alarms, Initiating a NIBP measurement, Changing ECG leads, zeroing and calibration of IBP transducers etc. The remote control provides user the flexibility to change these settings without physically reaching to the system specifically in application areas like Operation Theatres, Intensive Care Units where the accessibility of the patient monitoring system’s controls (like keyboard and Optical Encoders) is not easy due to presence of number of other equipment’s and patient transducers and catheters. The IR remote control units commonly are based on RC5 protocol and a common remote control is used for a specific make/model of patient monitoring systems.
In a common ICU application or isolation /radiation ward scenario, multiple bedside patient monitors are used in close vicinity (one monitor with every bed) and these monitors mostly may be of same model / manufacturer and in that case will share a common remote control and key codes. Although IR works on Line of Sight principle but still in scenarios where multiple devices are placed very close to each other, this leads to a risk related to unintended setting change in a patient monitor or multiple monitors when user tries to change a setting in one of the bedside monitor.
In addition, there are other equipment’s like X – Ray units which also may have their own IR remote control which may use a generic RC5 IR key code for a function specific to X Ray equipment which is also used in the Patient Monitoring System.
US 2009/0016728 discloses a method to pair an IR remote control. The major drawback of this invention is related to pairing procedure. Every time for pairing the remote, the user has to bring the remote very close to the system with which the remote shall be paired. In a typical ICU the system will be at patient’s bedside and hence considering the application scenarios where multiple transducers and cables from variety of these devices are connected to the patient the access to the monitor becomes difficult.
US 8041220 discloses a remote control which controls a medical device by infrared light communication This contains a control unit for allowing the infrared light emission unit to emit first infrared light for conveying control information for control of the medical device, and second infrared light conveying predetermined information and having a frequency different from that of the first infrared light; and an infrared light reception unit for receiving the infrared light emitted from the infrared light emission unit. But This invention does not tells anything about operating patient monitor with a full function remote control unit and pairing the devices. Also there is no mention about usage of remote control for infection control.
There is also long term felt need to provide a low cost multi-parameter vital sign monitor with a secure hand held remote control which can control and operate from a distance for use in Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Radiation Oncology and certain hospital laboratories.
The mobile radiographic and fluoroscopic units are used frequently along with patient monitors throughout the hospital, and many nuclear medicine patients retain radiopharmaceuticals for days or weeks after their procedures are complete. Fluoroscopy procedures are the largest source of occupational radiation exposure in medicine.
Rooms where significant radiation exposure can occur from radioactive sealed sources in patients undergoing brachytherapy or from patients receiving radiopharmaceutical therapy.
The radiation protection program is guided by the concept of keeping radiation exposure as Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
Radiation exposure can be minimized doubling the distance from a radiation source means one-fourth the dose rate. Tripling the distance gives one-ninth the dose rate. The remote controlled monitor disclosed in this invention will be an ideal solution in this situation.
One of the guidelines for Nursing Personnel Working with radiation Therapy Patients are try to minimize time spent with patient, work no closer to patient than necessary , Remain in room during radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures only if necessary , Less time spent around a radiation source means a lower radiation exposure to the individual.
The main source of exposure is radiation scattered from the patient.
Since radiation decreases rapidly with distance, the farther one is from the patient during the actual X-ray examination, the smaller is the exposure.
At present it has been found that during Intra-operative Radiotherapy for Patients, during the interval of irradiation all members of the surgical team leave the surgical radio-therapeutic suite. The patient is left on his own and patients’ vital signs were not monitored adequately. The monitoring is achieved indirectly through a mirror system and the television camera mounted on the wall inside the treatment room.
The present invention eradicates the risk which may arise due to operation of a non intended device with the IR remote control. The invention can be implemented to reduce this risk in any electronic device which works with a infrared remote primarily in application areas where multiple devices (like patient monitoring systems in an ICU, Isolation wards, Radiation wards) are used in close vicinity of each other and a infrared remote control is used to operate the devices.
The remote control along with PMS is used to reduce nosocomial infection , cross – contamination in the CCU,ICCU, isolation wards, recovery and monitoring wards etc.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages / drawbacks of the prior art.
A basic object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring system with a secure remote control module for using in isolation wards and radiation wards so that remote control of monitor is possible.
Yet another object of the invention is to design a disinfect able remote control having a nurse call button, paring button, vital sign measurement initiation buttons.
Yet another objection of the invention is to provide a method with patient Observation without cross contamination.
Yet another objet of the present invention is to provide a method with monitoring patients with privacy and dignity allowing them to be protected at all times in a clean and safe environment which is proven to speed up recovery time and improve general patient well being and to provide critical care nurses provide around the clock bedside care and monitoring for patients resulting in an increased risk of cross-contamination.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.
Accordingly one aspect of the present invention describes an integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients, said system comprising :
an enclosure means;
a monitor means secured within said enclosure means, said monitor means comprising;
at least one display means providing plurality of displays such as bed number/unique code/ equipment’s serial part number, paring instructions etc;
at least one keyboard means with push button feature ;
a power supply means;
at least one Infrared communication port operatively connected with said keyboard means adapted for external printer and remote control operation , said infrared communication port comprises a infrared receiver (IR receiver) ;
at least one audio and visual indication/alarm means ;
at least one main board mean comprises a microcontroller means/processor means operatively connected with said display means, keyboard means, port means , indicator means adapted to process all data and display is said display means;
at least one decoder means operatively connected with said controller means adapted to decode the demodulated IR data output from said IR receiver ;
at least one remote control unit interfaced through said monitor means through said infrared communication port , said remote control unit comprising
a keyboard means comprises a emitter LED means adapted to emit IR radiation beam to said IR receiver; and
an infrared transmitter means
such that said decoder means the received IR data from said IR receiver and decodes it to send to said controller means and said display means displays the unique code ;
such that said IR remote having pair/un pair button is pressed and said unique code as displayed in display means is entered in said IR remote and transmitted via said transmitter means to said IR receiver and said transmitted data is received in said controller means adapted to check whether said received code is similar to that existing in display to get said remote control unit paired with said monitor means.
Accordingly another aspect of the present invention describes a method for pairing an integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients, the method comprising steps of:
Initiating an IR pairing process by means of IR remote means;
pairing of said IR remote means with a monitor means when IR remote is initiated, said monitor means having a unique ID/key code associated with each monitoring device like Monitor Bed No;
displaying of said unique ID/key code in the display means of said monitor means;
feeding said key code as displayed in display means in the IR remote means whereby said IR remote means being paired with said monitor means if key code entered in said IR remote is similar to that of the display means;
pairing time out for automatic un-pairing of a paired monitor upon expiration of time out interval for a specific period of time; and
activating of Pair/Un-pair button to pair IR remote with said monitor means to either pair or un pair said IR remote with said monitor means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method where a user can pair a IR remote with any patient monitor by entering a unique key code displayed on the screen of a Patient Monitor upon pressing of the Pair key on the IR remote. The key code can be the bed number entered, equipment’s serial part number in the patient monitor. If the user enters the correct key code as displayed on the screen of the monitor, the monitor gets paired with the remote and will respond to the IR key codes. During pairing, the transmit energy levels are not changed and hence there is no need for the user to go near the monitor for pairing.
The remote controlled PMS provides a solution to this problem and is particularly effective when used within an isolation ward as care-giver staff can review patient well being without actually having to enter each isolation unit, risking cross-contamination. Instead, observation procedures are carried out using a safe, efficient system putting patient safety and well being at the forefront by largely reducing the risk of infection.
Contact transmission the most important and frequent mode of transmission of nosocomial infections
The remote control system with PMS used for monitoring patients in Operation Theatres, Intensive Care Units, isolation wards and radiation wards.
According to the first embodiment of the present invention there is provided an integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients the system comprising an enclosure means; a monitor means enclosed within enclosure and at least one remote control unit interfaced through monitor means through infrared communication port.

The monitor means comprising at least one display means comprises plurality of display such as bed number/unique code/ equipment’s serial part number , paring instructions etc; at least one keyboard means with push button feature ;
a power supply means; at least one Infrared communication port operatively connected with keyboard means adapted for external printer and remote control operation where the infrared communication port comprises a infrared receiver (IR receiver) ; at least one audio and visual indication/alarm means ; at least one main board mean where the main board comprises a microcontroller means/processor means operatively connected with display means, keyboard means, port means , indicator means adapted to process all data and display is display means and at least one decoder means operatively connected with controller means adapted to decode the demodulated IR data output from IR receiver .
The remote control unit comprising a keyboard means comprises a emitter LED means adapted to emit IR radiation beam to IR receiver and an infrared transmitter means.
The decoder means the received IR data from IR receiver and decodes it to send to controller means and display means displays the unique code .
The IR remote having pair/un pair button is pressed and unique code as displayed in display means is entered in IR remote and transmitted via transmitter means to IR receiver and transmitted data is received in controller means adapted to check whether received code is similar to that existing in display to get remote control unit paired with monitor means.
The enclosure means comprises various sized plastic Enclosure / cabinet so that it is hand carried and transportable from one location to another accompanying the patient and can be controlled by the remote control.
The infrared receiver and transmitter are mounted on the keyboard and communicating with controller means.

The un-pair key is pressed to pair /un-pair IR receiver with monitor means.

The audio and visual indication/alarm means are activated once the remote unit is paired with monitor means.
The key board means of remote control unit comprises an non-invasive blood pressure key for measuring non-invasive blood pressure in automatic/manual/static/venous in function mode and used to enter digit 1 in numeric mode; an alarm key used for acknowledge the alarms raised in function mode and used to enter digit 2 in numeric mode;
a standby key for standby function mode and used to enter digit 3 in numeric mode; a freeze key used to freeze /unfreeze the physiological waveform displayed in function mode and used to enter digit 4 in numeric mode; a trend key to display Vital, NIBP and Oxy CRG trend in cyclic manner in function mode and to enter digit 5 in numeric mode; an alarm recall key used to display the Alarm Recall, Apnea Recall, ST Recall and ECG Recall screens in cyclic manner in function mode and to enter digit 6 in numeric mode; an event recall key adapted to recall the Events, so that available Display formats can be selected in function mode and to enter digit 7 in numeric mode; an ECG leads key adapted to select ECG leads such as Lead number 1,2,3/ 3 lead/5 lead/12 lead in function mode and to enter digit 8 in numeric mode; an alarm limit key used to set the alarm limits in function mode and to enter digit 9 in numeric mode; a zeroing key used to zeroing the invasive blood pressure channel transducer in function mode and to enter digit 0 in numeric mode; a print record key to get a printed record of the selected waveforms through the Thermal recorder or a generic printer connected to the patient monitor ; a speed key to select the speed of the waveform displayed on the monitor or waveform printed on the thermal recorder; a pulse rate source key to select the Pulse rate source from variety of signals such as electro-cardiograph, invasive blood pressure, non-invasive cardiac output waveform, pulse oxy meter, noninvasive blood pressure; a settings key to select volume /beep control, alarm volumes and speech volume settings by navigating and selecting pop up menus on the patient monitor display, a night mode key to select ‘night mode’ function which controls the brightness of visual alarms and audio power level of beeps and audio alarms and a forward, backward and enter function key for navigating and menu selection so that the functions of an optical encoder are enabled.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for pairing an integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients. The method comprising steps of pressing a Pair/Un-pair button on the IR remote for initiating an IR pairing process; pairing of IR remote with a monitor means when IR remote is initiated, the monitor means having a unique ID/key code associated with each monitoring device like Monitor Bed No; displaying of the unique ID/key code in the display means of the monitor means; inserting of the key code as displayed in display means in the IR remote keypad ; checking whether the key code entered in the IR remote is similar to that of the display means; paring of the IR remote with the monitor means when both the key code match; pairing time out for automatic un-pairing of a paired monitor upon expiration of time out interval for a specific period of time and pressing of Pair/Un-pair button to pair IR remote with the monitor means to either pair or un pair the IR remote with the monitor means.
The step of indicating the status of pairing in every monitor through a graphical message box displayed on the screen of the monitor and the Pairing LED for easier representation to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
Other features as well as the advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description.
In the appended drawing:
Figure 1 illustrates Overall view of a system with patient monitor and secure remote control unit.
Figure 2 Illustrates block diagrams of motherboard, keyboard with infrared receiver and the remote control unit.
Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart for pairing and un-pairing algorithm of remote unit with patient monitor.
Figure 4 illustrates the front (facia) view of the remote control with all the switches for PMS control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. Further functioning of the system and method has been discussed below to describe the way it operates. However, such description should not be considered as any limitation of scope of the present system. The structure thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all the details may furthermore be replaced with elements having technical equivalence. In practice the materials and dimensions may be any according to the requirements, which will still be comprised within its true spirit.
Other features as well as the advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description.
In the appended drawing:
The working of this invention can be easily understood by referring to the attached drawings Fig 1. Fig2. Fig 3, Fig 4.
Figure 1 Illustrates Overall view of a system with patient monitor and secure remote control unit.
Part 102 is a multi parameter patient monitor with one particular configuration and one particular type of enclosure.
Part 122 is another type of multi parameter patient monitor with another particular configuration and another type of enclosure.
Both the monitors have the infrared port for external communication like infrared remote control, infrared peripheral devices, either one way or bi-directional. Part 102 is an enclosure or cabinet for this novel patient monitor designed for isolation wards, radiation wards, X-ray wards and mobile ambulances where the monitor is mounted on the walls. These enclosures can be incorporated with suitable shielding material like metal sheets so that the electronics inside the enclosure is protected from radiation.
This enclosure is injection molded from master batch resins which are biocompatible plastics and composites.
The enclosure 102 contains an AC to DC power supply. This AC/DC power supply will convert the energy into regulated DC. This d.c. is electrically connected to DC/DC voltage converter which in turn consists of a PCB and several power converting circuits with various DC outputs.
This highly regulated and noise /ripple free power is fed to various electronic circuits assembled inside the enclosure 102. Since these are standard components, they are not shown to simplify the drawings.
Part 104 is visual alarm consisting of LEDs and Lamps in various colors like RED, BLUE,YELLOW.
Part 106 is TFT –LCD flat panel used to display the waveforms and numerical data from patient. This also shows graphical user interface to input the data from caregiver and paring codes for pairing the remote with monitor.
Part 114 is commonly known as ‘optical encoder,’ which acts as a navigation device. Part 116 is a keyboard containing press button keys with icons printed on it. These icons may be similar to the icons printed on the remote keyboard front facial Fig 4 part 400.
There is also one ON/OFF key 120 used to switch on or shutdown the entire unit.
Part 118 is infrared receiver/transmitter port mounted on the front panel keyboard 116. Part 140 is audio speaker which gives alarm signals or voice messages.
Popup screen 108 is used to display various messages to the user or bed number.
Popup screen 110 is used to display pairing key code and remote control related information on the 106.
Popup screen 112 is used to display pairing instructions to the user, help screen,
Part 138 is the remote control communicating with transceiver port 118 while pairing with 102.
The same remote control can be reprogrammed and directed towards another PMS enclosure in the vicinity 122 and at port 130 to control the PMS 122.
Part 128 is keyboard for 122. Popup screen 124 and 126 will display pairing key code and user messages related to PMS 122.
Part 134 is visual alarm and Part 136 is audio alarm for PMS 122.
Figure 2 Illustrates block diagrams of motherboard, keyboard with infrared receiver and the remote control unit. This explains the architecture of the part of the Patient Monitoring system, which is related to the invention.
The system comprises of a system keyboard 116 –Fig 1, which contains keys for system operations like, Waveform Freezing, Initiating a NIBP measurement, Acknowledging Alarms etc. The IR receiver 118 is also assembled on the keyboard and a window for IR transmission has been provided on the keypad overlay, which is assembled over the keyboard.
The demodulated IR data output from the IR receiver 118 is decoded by the RC 5 decoder 208 which is a 8051 core based micro-controller. Other type of micro-controllers can also be used. The RC5 is a generic protocol used for communicating the remote transmitter 204 with the receiver using infrared radiation beam emitted from emitter LED part 450 to receiver part 118. It should be appreciated by the reader of this disclosure that other generic known protocols or novel hitherto unavailable proprietary protocols for infrared communication with various carrier frequency can be used by the inventors without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The system also contains a main board 206 which contains a central processing unit which in this case is a application processor. This processor is the heart of the system which acquires data from various system interfaces like parameter module, keyboard etc, process the data and displays the processed data on a high resolution TFT display 106. The system has menu based pop up user interface 108,110,112 for easier usability.
The keyboard module 116 is interfaced with the Main board 206 over an I2C or SPI interface. Upon receipt of any IR data on 118, the decoded IR key code is sent to Main board 206 over this I2C or SPI interface,
Upon receipt of a pair request from the Infrared Remote module 138, a message box 108 displaying the unique Pair Code associated with the monitor (Like Monitor Bed No Entry) and pairing instruction 112 is displayed on the Patient Monitor’s TFT display 106. If the user enters correctly the Pair Code a confirmation message is displayed on the TFT display. The Pairing success is indicated by turning ON the Pair LED, situated underneath the switch 402-Fig 4,which remains ON till the Pairing is valid.
Similarly a user can un-pair a monitor by pressing the Pair key 402 on the IR remote 138 again and entering the correct key code as displayed on the monitor’s TFT display 106.
There is also a pairing timer 314 Fig 3, which automatically expires after 15 minutes of receipt of last key code from the IR remote 138. After this if the user wants to use the same monitor with IR remote he needs to pair it again. This helps in preventing unintended operation of the system in case user forgets to un-pair the remote. Also if the monitor is left unattended and unauthorized user tries to use it, it will not be possible.
For the remote to be paired, the bed number detail has to be entered in the monitor. The bed number entry can be made either on boot up or in patient admit details. The RC5 protocol is used for the infrared communication and the carrier frequency is around 36 kHz.
The Pair/Un-pair button 402 is used to Pair/ Un-pair the remote with the monitor. On pressing the pair key 402, a “Enter Bed No” pop up window 108 will appear on the screen 106 of the monitor. User will be able to enter a multi digit Bed no with any combination from 0 – 9. Timeout for this password screen is around 60 seconds.
The keys described in Fig.4 from Serial No 404 to 442 have a primary and a secondary function associated with them. Secondary function is valid only after press of Pair/Un-pair key no. 402.
On entering the bed number from the remote using the multi functional keys the device will be paired. Hence after a pair key is pressed, Num 1, Num 2 etc. are taken as the input and not the primary function of the key.
Once the remote is paired, the paired symbol 112 appears on the screen and pairing remains valid for the time frame of around 15 minutes from the time of the last received key press from remote, following which the device needs to be paired again.
To un-pair a device before the time frame expires, the Pair key 402 needs to be pressed again following which the remote shall be unpaired.
Figure 3 Illustrates a flow chart for pairing and un-pairing algorithm of remote unit with patient monitor.
The starting step 302 is directing the remote 138 either towards 102 or towards 122. The step 304 is pressing of key 402 on 138. The remote in sleep mode will turn on and infrared signal is transmitted to a decoder 208 through 210 on the main board. The decoder 208 decodes the received stream and stores the data.
Decoder sends an interrupt to the 206 indicating that there is a IR data ready which has to be read by the 206. The 206 sends a read request to the decoder via SPI channel. The decoder 208 gives the ready IR data to the 206 via the same SPI channel.
During step 306 the monitor 102 at which the remote 138 is directed receives the pair command and displays a unique key code at 108. This code is similar to bed number saved in the monitor.
At step 308 user enters the key code as seen on 108 using the numerical keys 404 to 422 on 138. These are transmitted to part 118, 210, and 208.
The MCU on main board 206 receives these codes through I2C or SPI interface bus and checks whether the same code displayed at location 108 is received. If not another new code is displayed at 108. A message “wrong code entered, try to enter the new code again” is displayed at 110.
If the code entered is matched then both the devices get paired and the LED lamp underneath the key 402 will glow/blink. Simultaneously 206 will start a internal pairing timer step 314. If the preset time let us say 30 minute is expired or the user presses the un-pair key 402 (whichever is earlier), which is step 316, then the paired monitor gets unpaired . This is indicated to the user by switched off LED underneath 402. The other switches on the remote as shown in Fig 4 , part 400 can also have visual indicators like LED underneath for reminding the user about the last switch pressed.
Figure 4 Illustrates the front view of the remote control with all the switches for PMS control.
The NIBP key 404 is used to Start/Stop the NIBP pump inside 102. The NIBP mode can be selected either AUTO/MANUAL/STAT/Venous in cyclic manner
The number 1 is considered active only when the Pair key has been activated.
Alarm acknowledge 406 is used to acknowledge the alarms raised. The number 2 is considered active only when the Pair key has been activated
The Standby key 408 sends the system to standby mode. To recover from Standby the key is pressed again.
The function of this key may be made to work similar to ON/OFF key 120 shown in Fig 1, Part 102 which is used to switch on or shutdown the entire unit.
The number 3 is considered active only when the Pair key has been activated.
On press of Freeze key 410 all waveform traces on 106 are freezed / unfreezed.
The number 4 is considered active only when the Pair key 402 has been activated
On press of Trend key 412 it will display Vital, NIBP and Oxy CRG trends in cyclic manner.
The number 5 is considered active only when the Pair key 402 is activated.
On press of alarm Recall key 414 it will display the Alarm Recall, Apnea Recall, ST Recall and ECG Recall screens in cyclic manner.
The number 6 is considered active only when the Pair key has been activated
On press of Event recall key 416 it will display event recall. The number 7 is considered active only when the Pair key has been activated.
The available Display formats can be selected in cyclic manner using this key on the remote.
The ECG lead selection can be done in cyclic manner using 418 key on the remote for 3L ECG mode. For a 5L and 12L ECG mode it will pop up the ECG Lead selection menu on 106.
The number 8 is considered active only when the Pair key has been activated
The Autoset button 420 sets the alarm limits automatically and enable the auto set algorithm in 102. The number 9 is considered active only when the Pair key has been activated.
The IBP zero key 422 is used for zeroing the IBP. On press of this key, IBP zero menu will be popped up on display 106. The number 0 is considered active only when the Pair key has been activated.
The Home key 424 is used to jump back to the home screen on 106.
On press of this key 424 the control will go back to Home screen from any menu/submenu
The keys marked as Reverse 426, Forward 430, and Enter 428 are used for navigation and selection within any menu and submenu. They are functionally equivalent to the optical encoder 114.
The Record key 432 is to get a printed record of the selected waveforms through the Thermal recorder or a printer inside 102. The waveform speed selection key 434 is used select the scale of the waveform on 102. The waveform speed can be selected in sequence of 6.25mm/12.5mm/25mm/50mm. The other speeds also can be selected as per the customer requirements.
The Pulse rate source key 438 shall change the PR source in sequence. The sequence is 1. ECG/Auto(electrocardiograph), 2. IBP(invasive blood pressure ), 3. NICO(non-invasive cardiac output), 4. SpO2(oxy-hemoglobin saturation , 5. NIBP(non-invasive blood pressure).
The press of Volume key setting 440 shall pop up the volume control menu for controlling beep, alarm volumes and speech volume settings.
The night mode key can be enabled/ disabled through 442 key. In night mode the audio volume level of various alarms and beep tones can be made to set to their default level from the user set level. When this feature is enabled a time set menu will appear on 106 to select the time at which night mode to be activated and de-activated. The same is true for visual alarms 104 and 134.
It should be appreciated that switches with many other functions and numerical digits can be added to the remote control disclosed here without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
By way of an example the following additional keys and displays can be added
The emergency nurse call key 444 is used by the patient to call the nurse when the remote is left with patient. All other keys will be disabled so that settings of the monitor is not altered. During this call 102 will either activate the alarm 104 or 140 or it will contact the central nursing station situated elsewhere in the hospital using LAN or wireless wi-fi modules inside 102.
The key 446 is copy configuration key. When the remote is paired and communicating with one monitor say 102, and the key 446 is pressed then the remote will copy the configuration of 102. After that when the remote is directed towards 122 the monitor 122 will ask ‘copy configuration?’ question. When 446 is pressed again the configuration and settings are copied to 122.
The indicator 448 is a LED bar display showing the infrared signal strength received or transmitted between the remote and monitor 102. This will help in directing the remote 138 towards the monitor.
The part 452 is a laser diode with green or blue color. This can be additional feature added to the invention so that the remote can be focused on 118 during paring and the signal strength display 448 shows maximum.
Part 450 is infrared LED communicating with 118. Although remote with one direction communication is disclosed in this invention the bi-directional LED 450 and matching receiver photo diodes can be used.

The following is the list of the keys for the novel remote control with pairing feature.
Sr.No Keys on remote and their functions.
402 Pair/Unpair
404 NIBP/ Num 1
406 Alarm Ack/ Num 2
408 Standby/Num 3
410 All Freeze-Defreeze / Num 4
412 Vital Trend/Num 5
414 Recall/Num 6
416 Display Format Change / Num 7
418 ECG Lead/ Num 8
420 Autoset / Num 9
422 IBP Zero/ Num 0
424 Home
426 Forward
428 Enter
430 Reverse
432 Record
434 Beep/Alarm Vol
436 NIBP Mode
438 PR Source
440 W/F speed
442 Night Mode ON/OFF

Application:
The device of the present invention found its application in monitoring patients in Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Radiation Oncology and certain hospital laboratories, patients receiving radio-pharmaceutical therapy, radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures, Intra-operative Radiotherapy, Operation Theatres, Intensive Care Units, isolation wards and radiation wards, CCU, ICCU and helps in reducing the nosocomial infection and cross contamination and minimization of radiation exposure.

WE CLAIM

1. An integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients , said system comprising :
an enclosure means;
a monitor means secured within said enclosure means, said monitor means comprising ;

at least one display means providing plurality of displays such as bed number/unique code/ equipment’s serial part number , paring instructions etc;
at least one keyboard means with push button feature ;
a power supply means;
at least one Infrared communication port operatively connected with said keyboard means adapted for external printer and remote control operation , said infrared communication port comprises a infrared receiver (IR receiver) ;
at least one audio and visual indication/alarm means ;
at least one main board mean comprises a microcontroller means/processor means operatively connected with said display means, keyboard means, port means , indicator means adapted to process all data and display is said display means;
at least one decoder means operatively connected with said controller means adapted to decode the demodulated IR data output from said IR receiver ; and

at least one remote control unit interfaced through said monitor means through said infrared communication port , said remote control unit comprising :
a keyboard means comprises a emitter LED means adapted to emit IR radiation beam to said IR receiver; and
an infrared transmitter means.
such that said decoder means the received IR data from said IR receiver and decodes it to send to said controller means and said display means displays the unique code ;
such that said IR remote having pair/un pair button is pressed and said unique code as displayed in display means is entered in said IR remote and transmitted via said transmitter means to said IR receiver and said transmitted data is received in said controller means adapted to check whether said received code is similar to that existing in display to get said remote control unit paired with said monitor means.
2. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enclosure means comprising various sized plastic Enclosure / cabinet so that it is hand carried and transportable from one location to another accompanying the patient and can be controlled by the said remote control.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one infrared receiver and transmitter mounted on the keyboard and communicating with controller means.

4. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein said un-pair key is pressed to pair /un-pair IR receiver with said monitor means.

5. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein said audio and visual indication/alarm means are activated once the remote unit is paired with said monitor means.
6. System as claimed in claim 1 wherein said key board means of said remote control unit comprises :
an non-invasive blood pressure key for measuring non-invasive blood pressure in automatic/manual/static/venous in function mode and used to enter digit 1 in numeric mode;
an alarm key used for acknowledge the alarms raised in function mode and used to enter digit 2 in numeric mode;
a standby key for standby function mode and used to enter digit 3 in numeric mode;
a freeze key used to freeze /unfreeze the physiological waveform displayed in function mode and used to enter digit 4 in numeric mode;
a trend key to display Vital, NIBP and Oxy CRG trend in cyclic manner in function mode and to enter digit 5 in numeric mode;
an alarm recall key used to display the Alarm Recall, Apnea Recall, ST Recall and ECG Recall screens in cyclic manner in function mode and to enter digit 6 in numeric mode;
an event recall key adapted to recall the Events, so that available Display formats can be selected in function mode and to enter digit 7 in numeric mode;
an ECG leads key adapted to select ECG leads such as Lead number 1,2,3/ 3 lead/5 lead/12 lead in function mode and to enter digit 8 in numeric mode;
an alarm limit key used to set the alarm limits in function mode and to enter digit 9 in numeric mode;
a zeroing key used to zeroing the invasive blood pressure channel transducer placed at the heart level in function mode and to enter digit 0 in numeric mode;
a print record key to get a printed record of the selected waveforms through the Thermal recorder or a generic printer connected to the patient monitor ;
a speed key to select the speed of the waveform displayed on the monitor or waveform printed on the thermal recorder;
a pulse rate source key to select the Pulse rate source from variety of signals such as electro-cardiograph, invasive blood pressure, non-invasive cardiac output waveform, pulse oxy meter, noninvasive blood pressure;
a settings key to select volume /beep control, alarm volumes and speech volume settings by navigating and selecting pop up menus on the patient monitor display,
a night mode key to select ‘night mode’ function which controls the brightness of visual alarms and audio power level of beeps and audio alarms; and

a forward, backward and enter function key for navigating and menu selection so that the functions of an optical encoder are enabled.

7. A method for pairing an integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients, the method comprising steps of:
initiating an IR pairing process by means of IR remote means;
pairing of said IR remote means with a monitor means when IR remote is initiated, said monitor means having a unique ID/key code associated with each monitoring device like Monitor Bed No;
displaying of said unique ID/key code in the display means of said monitor means;
feeding said key code as displayed in display means in the IR remote means whereby said IR remote means being paired with said monitor means if key code entered in said IR remote is similar to that of the display means;
pairing time out for automatic un-pairing of a paired monitor upon expiration of time out interval for a specific period of time; and
activating of Pair/Un-pair button to pair IR remote with said monitor means to either pair or un pair manually said IR remote with said monitor means.

8. Method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said step of indicating the status of pairing in every monitor through a graphical message box displayed on the screen of the monitor and the Pairing LED for easier representation to the user.

9. Integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients as claimed in claims 1 through 9 adapted for use for monitoring patients in Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Radiation Oncology and certain hospital laboratories, patients receiving radio-pharmaceutical therapy, radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures, Intra-operative Radiotherapy, Operation Theatres, Intensive Care Units, isolation wards and radiation wards, CCU, ICCU and helps in reducing the nosocomial infection and cross contamination and minimization of radiation exposure.

10. An integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients as herein substantially described and illustrated with the accompanying drawings.

11. A method for pairing an integrated remote controlled system for physiological monitoring of patients as herein substantially described and illustrated with the accompanying drawings and flowcharts.