Intelligent human-machine interface

Abstract

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for an intelligent human-machine interface. By way of example, but not limited thereto, embodiments of methods and apparatus are presented of an intelligent human-machine interface for the operating room, and more particularly, to systems and processes for real-time management and feedback of process control, situational awareness, logistics, communication, and documentation, herein referred to as system. One element of the system, among others, provides a knowledge base that organizes information and rules that enables an accurate, relevant and timely decision support system. The knowledge base is represented in a hierarchical structure of functions and systems. The system serves as platform for the avoidance, detection and timely correction of errors, and as such, acts as a countermeasure to error.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a PCT application claiming priority to U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 11 / 255,593, filed on Oct. 20, 2005, which is in its entirety incorporated herewith by reference.FIELD[0002]The present invention is related to information and control systems, and more particularly, to systems and processes for real-time management and feedback of process control, situational awareness, logistics, communication, and documentation.BACKGROUND[0003]Technology and innovations have come to the healthcare industry in a haphazard fashion. The unplanned development of medical technology has cluttered both the physical operating room (OR) landscape and the surgeon's and other healthcare team member's mental mindscape with a disjoint collection of equipment and instruments. Subsequently, the unplanned development has created many gaps in the surgery's potential capabilities as well as fragmentation of the environment which harbors inefficiency, invites human-erro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0028]In accordance with another embodiment, the intelligent human-machine interface further comprises means to transmit changes aimed at process optimization to all human actors, mechanical elements, and support systems in order to enhance quality.

Problems solved by technology

The unplanned development of medical technology has cluttered both the physical operating room (OR) landscape and the surgeon's and other healthcare team member's mental mindscape with a disjoint collection of equipment and instruments.

Subsequently, the unplanned development has created many gaps in the surgery's potential capabilities as well as fragmentation of the environment which harbors inefficiency, invites human-error, and suffers preventable mishaps.

Management tools such as Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma, and ISO 9000, among others, are difficult to uniformly apply until the processes of an industry have evolved to the point of specific definition, standardization, measurement, and optimization.

As healthcare leadership examines the delivery of healthcare in America, a glaring deficit emerges: the lack of modern safety systems to reduce the iatrogenic injuries inflicted in the delivery of care.

The physicians, nurses, and support staff are not careless, but rather the entire system is vulnerable.

An explosion of new technical surgical equipment and associated intricate surgical procedures has created a complex, high-risk environment for the modern surgeon.

It harbors inefficiency as well as systemic vulnerability to error.

Human errors lead to patient morbidity, mortality, and other adverse events.

The operating room is plagued by poor acoustics and a surgical site that cannot be readily visualized by many members of the OR team.

Therefore, the constructive oversight and suggestions of all team members cannot be accomplished because most of the team is simply “left out” of the procedure.

The disconnect between the anesthesiologist, circulating nurse and the hospital support network causes innumerable inefficiencies, distractions, and interpersonal tensions.

Logistical demands of complex surgery, particularly endoscopic surgery, aggravate this situation within the OR, leading to miscommunications, non-communication, lack of efficient teamwork, and general failure of the OR personnel to form an effective learn.

The OR has evolved into a complex human-machine system in which traditional means of communication and control are no longer satisfactory.

Confusion and lack of situational awareness on the part of all the OR team members degrades both safety and efficiency.

With complex equipment, people, and purposes, it is easy to see where conflict and difficulty maintaining healthy team dynamics arise.

The problems are deeply buried in the details of the surgical process and the activities within the OR.

Images