System and method for identifying and pairing devices

1. A method for identifying a medical device and pairing the identified medical device with a remote user interface computer, the method comprising:

receiving at the remote user interface identification information representing the identity of a patient;

verifying the patient identification information using information stored in a database;

receiving, based on verified patient identification information, a prescribed medical treatment regimen from the database;

identifying a selected medical device available for carrying out the prescribed medical treatment;

transmitting, using a data communication link, a pairing signal from the remote user interface computer to the identified medical device;

receiving, using the data communication link, a pairing signal response from the identified medical device;

comparing the pairing signal with the pairing signal response;

establishing a communication link for carrying out the prescribed treatment based on a result of the comparison; and

determining if a multi-system environment is present;

if a multi-system environment is present, carrying out a first operational sequence including:

displaying patient identification and devices to verify;

for each device to verify:

receiving input from an operator indicating a selected device to verify;

displaying patient identification and a verification key sequence;

receiving key sequence data from the selected device;

verifying the received key sequence data;

indicating that the selected device is verified when the received key sequence data matches the displayed verification key sequence;

displaying a selected device and prompting the operator to retry or change devices when the received key sequence data does not match the displayed verification key sequence;

repeating the first operational sequence until all devices are verified;

if a multi-system environment is not present or if all devices in the multi-system environment have been verified, carrying out a second operational sequence including:

displaying patient identification and verified devices;

exchanging handshake signals with each verified device, respectively; and

initiating the prescribed medical treatment regimen;

when devices are not connected or moved, carrying out a third operational sequence comprising:

displaying a list of available devices connected to a network and not connected to the remote user interface computer;

prompting the operator to retry a connection with one or more devices or to change devices;

receiving input data from the operator indicating whether the operator selected to retry or change devices;

retrying to connect with one or more devices when the operator selects retry; and

performing a pairing and setup parameter test when the operator selects to change devices.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pairing signal includes a signal prompting the operator to enter a sequence of keys on the identified medical device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pairing response signal includes a sequence of keys actually entered by the operator on the identified medical device.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein when the prompted sequence of keys and the actual sequence of keys do not match, the communication link is not established.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising periodically checking the data communication link between the remote user interface computer and the identified medical device to ensure that a communication connection is maintained.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected medical device includes a blood treatment machine.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the blood treatment machine includes a hemodialysis machine.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical devices are hemodialysis devices.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the medical devices further include one of a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, and a weight scale.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the verification key sequence is a random sequence of keys to be pressed by the patient on the selected medical device the patient intends to use.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operator and the patient are the same person.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising periodically checking a data communication connection between the remote user interface computer and one of the connected medical devices to ensure that a communication connection is maintained.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising periodically verifying the identification and pairing between the remote user interface computer and one of the connected medical devices.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the periodic verification of the identification and pairing between the remote user interface computer and one of the connected medical devices is initiated automatically.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the periodic verification of the identification and pairing between the remote user interface computer and one of the connected medical devices is initiated manually.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database is disposed in a server accessible over a computer network.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database is disposed on a computer readable medium adapted to be directly coupled to the remote user interface computer.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the computer readable medium includes a nonvolatile memory device.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient identification information includes a patient identifier code.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient identification information includes a patient name.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of available devices includes a list of blood treatment machines.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of available devices includes a list of hemodialysis treatment machines.