Category: Monitoring Networking Review
In this record we reviewed the "Pick and Go" system concept and related for clarifying our understanding. In the process, we had learned new things together.
This review is about clever application of technology and the standard has been set when Siemens introduced the concept of "Pick and Go" and its associated "Docking Station".
The idea of Pick and Go is that a portable patient monitor can follow a patient and is always connected to the monitoring network. When the monitor is at the bedside, connection to the monitoring network is via wired Ethernet and during transportation (i.e. away from the bedside) the monitor automatically switches to wireless Ethernet (i.e. WiFi). The transition must not cause any disruption to the real-time network link. In summary, when you need to transfer a patient just PICK up the monitor AND GO, without losing connectivity.
In this record we reviewed the "Pick and Go" system concept and related for clarifying our understanding. In the process, we had learned new things together.
This review is about clever application of technology and the standard has been set when Siemens introduced the concept of "Pick and Go" and its associated "Docking Station".
| Concept of PICK and GO | |
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| Image 1: Docking Station |
The idea of Pick and Go is that a portable patient monitor can follow a patient and is always connected to the monitoring network. When the monitor is at the bedside, connection to the monitoring network is via wired Ethernet and during transportation (i.e. away from the bedside) the monitor automatically switches to wireless Ethernet (i.e. WiFi). The transition must not cause any disruption to the real-time network link. In summary, when you need to transfer a patient just PICK up the monitor AND GO, without losing connectivity.
Delivering PICK and GO
1. A Docking Station is provided at the bedside with a wired Ethernet path connectivity to the patient monitoring network. The Docking Station also has a DC charger to charge the internal battery of a patient monitor docked on it.
2. When a monitor is powered ON, it will be assigned a Ethernet network IP if connected to the Central Nurse Station. The connection to central station can either be via a docking station or WiFi.
3. The monitor is lighter than usual since there is no need for bulky AC-DC power circuitry as the Docking Station provides the DC power for the monitor while charging its internal battery when docked. The monitor also does not need a recorder as this is attached to the Docking Station and any monitor that docks on it can make use of the recorder.
4. When the need comes to transfer the patient, the patient monitor automatically switches from wired to wireless Ethernet the moment it is released from the Docking Station. The unlocking of the monitor from the Docking Station does not cause disruption to patient monitoring at the Central Nurse Station; there is no confusion of Ethernet IP as it resides in the same physical monitor (now turned transport monitor) and IP remains the same.
5. When the transport monitor is placed back on another Docking Station, networking is again switched from wireless to wired Ethernet. Wired Ethernet is preferred whenever possible. Meanwhile, the battery of the monitor is being charged and ready for the next move. Again, there is no disruption of the Central Station surveillance during or after the transition.
2. When a monitor is powered ON, it will be assigned a Ethernet network IP if connected to the Central Nurse Station. The connection to central station can either be via a docking station or WiFi.
3. The monitor is lighter than usual since there is no need for bulky AC-DC power circuitry as the Docking Station provides the DC power for the monitor while charging its internal battery when docked. The monitor also does not need a recorder as this is attached to the Docking Station and any monitor that docks on it can make use of the recorder.
4. When the need comes to transfer the patient, the patient monitor automatically switches from wired to wireless Ethernet the moment it is released from the Docking Station. The unlocking of the monitor from the Docking Station does not cause disruption to patient monitoring at the Central Nurse Station; there is no confusion of Ethernet IP as it resides in the same physical monitor (now turned transport monitor) and IP remains the same.
5. When the transport monitor is placed back on another Docking Station, networking is again switched from wireless to wired Ethernet. Wired Ethernet is preferred whenever possible. Meanwhile, the battery of the monitor is being charged and ready for the next move. Again, there is no disruption of the Central Station surveillance during or after the transition.
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| Image 2: A Draeger Infinity Gamma XL monitor and associating docking station |
Life Scope PT when turning from Input Unit to Transport Monitor has no wireless connectivity
The situation of the Life Scope BSM-1700 monitor when turned into a transport monitor is illustrated in Image 3 (refer our record).
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| Image 3: The challenge when using Ethernet for network continuity in the case of input-unit-turned-monitor |
Consider the network diagram as shown in Image 3. An Ethernet IP is first assigned to the Host Monitor since the transport monitor is only an Input Unit and not a monitor yet. Upon the Input Unit being detached from the Host Monitor and started to operate independently, there will be two physical monitors and at Central Station the patient must be transferred from the Host Monitor IP address to the IP address of the new transport monitor. This is not an easy situation to handle.
However, Life Scope PT does not provide any solution to the problem, they simply ignored it! Thus, Life Scope PT losses connectivity when switching from Input Unit to Transport Monitor.
However, Life Scope PT does not provide any solution to the problem, they simply ignored it! Thus, Life Scope PT losses connectivity when switching from Input Unit to Transport Monitor.
Solution using a telemetry token
In the case of Philips, the solution comes from using the Telemetry Network.
When a telemetry transceiver is installed in the IntelliVue MMS X2 the Host Monitor becomes paired to the X2 as one telemetry device; upon the IntelliVue MMS X2 becoming a transport monitor, the Host Monitor is being unpaired and the Central Station is still monitoring the IntelliVue MMS X2 via the same telemetry transceiver, ensuring continuity of critical surveillance.
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| Image 4: The Central Monitor tracks the telemetry transceiver in the IntelliVue MMS X2 as the token to the correct patient |
When a telemetry transceiver is installed in the IntelliVue MMS X2 the Host Monitor becomes paired to the X2 as one telemetry device; upon the IntelliVue MMS X2 becoming a transport monitor, the Host Monitor is being unpaired and the Central Station is still monitoring the IntelliVue MMS X2 via the same telemetry transceiver, ensuring continuity of critical surveillance.
PICK AND GO transport solution
The Pick and Go concept is now extended by Draeger to a M540 compact monitor (see Image 5)
working in conjunction with a Medical Cockpit Unit aiming to provide
seamless patient monitoring solution at a system level for hospitals.
The M540 is the token for the patient and there is no confusion.
The Medical Cockpit Unit (C500 or C700) are not bedside monitors but docking stations. They are PC work-stations with network links to PACS, Clinical Information System, Lab Information System etc. The Medical Cockpit Unit can take real time data from the bedside monitor and display it on its screen.
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| Image 5: Compact M540 docking station and monitor |
The M540 is the token for the patient and there is no confusion.
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| Image 6: M540 with Medical Cockpit Unit |
The Medical Cockpit Unit (C500 or C700) are not bedside monitors but docking stations. They are PC work-stations with network links to PACS, Clinical Information System, Lab Information System etc. The Medical Cockpit Unit can take real time data from the bedside monitor and display it on its screen.