Mobile device access for medical devices

Abstract

Methods for controlling a medical device using a software application on a mobile device are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request from the software application on the mobile device to open a communications channel for at least one of audio communication or text-based communication, and sending from the server an instruction to the medical device based on the request. The method also includes providing to the software application on the mobile device for display a result of the instruction. Systems, graphical user interfaces, and machine-readable media are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a medical device using a software application on a mobile device, the system comprising:
 a memory comprising instructions;   a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
 receive from a first user of a software application on a mobile device, a first user request for at least one of controlling a medical device, configuring the medical device, or a status of the medical device; 
 verify that the first user is an authorized user; 
 determine whether a restriction for the first user is enabled, based on an access privilege information of the first user; 
 verify an authorization for the first user request based on the restriction for the first user; 
 send an instruction, via a server, to the medical device based on the first user request; and 
 provide to the software application on the mobile device for display a result of the authorization for the first user, wherein the restriction for the first user is based on a proximity of the first user to the medical device and on the first user request. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 receive at and from the medical device an outcome of the instruction,   wherein the result of the instruction comprises information on the outcome of the instruction.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the memory further comprises a database for tracking the medical device, and wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to update the database based on at least one of the first user request received from the mobile device or the outcome of the first user request received from the medical device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first user request from the software application on the mobile device is to query multiple medical devices, wherein at least two of the medical devices are located in different geographical locations. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a dispensing machine, respirator, or an infusion device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device comprises a smartphone or tablet computer, and wherein the software application is specific to usage on the mobile device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 receive a request from the software application on the mobile device for authorization to instruct the medical device and comprising a user identification data;   determine whether to authorize the software application on the mobile device based on the user identification data; and   send an authorization outcome to the software application on the mobile device when the user identification data indicates the software application is authorized on the mobile device.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first user request comprises a request for controlling access to a medical device by a second user. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first user request for the status of the medical device comprises a request for notifications specific to the medical device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the status of the medical device comprises information indicative of an inventory of the medical device, or information indicative of an infusion status of the medical device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first user request for configuring the medical device comprises a request to change information indicative of an inventory of the medical device, or to change information indicative of an infusion configuration of the medical device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the request to change the information indicative of an inventory of the medical device comprises a confirmation that a medical item has been added or removed from the medical device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring the processor to establish communication between the first user on the mobile device and a second user handling a second user's account. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first user request for configuring the medical device comprises at least one of a request for a name of the medical device, a request for a location of the medical device, a request to configure an authorization process for the medical device, or a request to configure an availability of the medical device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 receive a request from the software application on the mobile device to open a communications channel for at least one of audio communication or text-based communication;   open the communications channel; and   send information on the communications channel to the software application on the mobile device.   
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling a medical device using a software application on a mobile device, the method comprising:
 receiving from a first user of a software application on a mobile device, a first user request for at least one of controlling a medical device, configuring the medical device, or a status of the medical device, wherein the first user request comprises an access privilege information of the first user;   verifying that the first user is an authorized user;   determining whether a restriction for the first user is enabled, based on an access privilege information of the first user;   verifying an authorization for the first user request based on the restriction for the first user;   sending an instruction, via a server, to the medical device based on the first user request; and   providing to the software application on the mobile device for display a result of the authorization for the first user, wherein the restriction for the first user is based on a proximity of the first user to the medical device and on the first user request.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 receiving from the medical device an outcome of the instruction,   wherein the result of the instruction comprises information on the outcome of the instruction.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 updating a database for tracking the medical device based on at least one of the first user request received from the mobile device or the outcome of a request received from the medical device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first user request includes a query to multiple medical devices, wherein at least two of the medical devices are located in different geographical locations. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising machine-readable instructions for causing a processor to execute a method for controlling a medical device using a software application on a mobile device, the method comprising:
 receiving from a first user of a software application on a mobile device, a first user request for at least one of controlling a medical device, configuring the medical device, or a status of the medical device, wherein the first user request comprises an access privilege information of the first user;   verifying that the first user is an authorized user;   determining whether a restriction for the first user is enabled, based on an access privilege information of the first user;   verifying an authorization for the first user request based on the restriction for the first user;   sending from an instruction, via a server, to the medical device based on the first user request; and   providing to the software application on the mobile device for display a result of the authorization for the first user, wherein the restriction is based on a proximity of the first user to the medical device, an access level of the first user, and the first user request.