Anatomical Tagging of Monitoring Devices to Block Misplaced Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clinical decision support systems are susceptible to inaccuracies due to incorrect placement of monitoring devices, leading to misrepresentation of physiological data and incorrect clinical decision recommendations.

Innovation Solution

A reference image is used to tag monitoring devices to specific anatomical locations, with automatic detection of misplacement triggering alerts and pausing data transmission to ensure accurate data input to the CDS system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If monitoring devices are placed without strict anatomical location verification, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of device placementVSAvoidphysiological data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing a reference image of correct device placement before monitoring begins. This reference image serves as a pre-established standard against which subsequent device positions are compared, enabling automatic verification without complicating the actual placement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual verification of device placement with an automated image recognition system. Instead of requiring clinicians to physically check and confirm device positions, the system uses computer vision technology to automatically detect and verify anatomical locations through image processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring of device placement is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidsystem power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by capturing images at specific intervals or triggered events rather than continuously monitoring. The reference image is captured once at the beginning, and subsequent comparisons are made periodically or when data changes occur, reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system performs self-service by automatically comparing current device positions against the stored reference image without requiring additional energy-intensive manual intervention. The system self-verify placement accuracy through automated image processing and alert generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If automated detection and alerting systems are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by using a single reference image to verify multiple device placements simultaneously. The same image recognition algorithm can detect various anatomical landmarks and device positions within one image, reducing the need for separate verification systems for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element in the form of a reference image that mediates between the physical device placement and the digital monitoring system. This intermediary serves as a bridge, translating physical positioning into verifiable digital data without requiring complex direct sensing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If data from misplaced devices is excluded from CDS analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological data reliabilityVSAvoidpatient data completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies taking out by selectively extracting and excluding only the problematic data from misplaced devices while retaining data from correctly positioned devices. This selective extraction maintains the integrity of the CDS analysis by removing only the unreliable portions rather than discarding all data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by providing real-time alerts when device misplacement is detected. This feedback loop allows for immediate correction of placement issues, ensuring that data quality is maintained and minimizing information loss by quickly restoring proper monitoring conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4708315A1Anatomical location tagging of physiological parameters
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
  • EP4708315A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4708315A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4708315A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for tagging anatomical locations of monitoring devices on a patient in a reference image on an application. The application excludes data from the monitoring devices from analysis by a clinical decision support system when the monitoring devices are misplaced, for example in locations other than the tagged anatomical locations.