Audio Indicator for Ambulatory Medical Telemetry Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ambulatory medical telemetry devices lack effective means to provide feedback on their operational status and location, especially in situations where the patient is mobile and clinical users are not highly trained, posing challenges in ensuring proper functioning and locating the patient during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an audio transducer within the device to generate audible signals indicating operational states, such as self-test completion or failure, and using a wireless receiver to generate paging signals for locating the patient, with tones differing in frequency, duration, and intensity to convey positive or negative feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional medical telemetry devices are used without audio feedback, then the device complexity remains low, but the user cannot receive assurance of proper system activation and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an audio transducer that provides audible feedback to indicate device operational states. This feedback mechanism allows users to receive immediate confirmation that the device has been correctly activated and is operating properly, thereby improving reliability assurance without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-testing and provides self-diagnosis through audible indicators. The system automatically checks its own operational status and communicates results to the user through sound, enabling the device to serve itself in verifying proper function without requiring external testing equipment or highly trained personnel
2Ease of operation
If the patient is made ambulatory to improve comfort and normal activity, then patient comfort and quality of life improve, but it becomes difficult to locate the patient in case of emergency
Solution Approach 1:
The audio transducer provides audible feedback that can be heard by caregivers in the vicinity, enabling them to locate the ambulatory patient when needed. The system emits detectable audio signals that give away the patient's position without restricting their movement or requiring them to carry large locating devices
3Ease of operation
If the clinical user interface is simplified for ease of use by non-technical personnel, then ease of operation improves, but the user needs additional assurance mechanisms to verify proper system activation
Solution Approach 1:
The audible indicator provides immediate feedback confirmation when the device is properly activated and operating. This sound-based feedback compensates for the simplified interface by giving users clear auditory confirmation that the system is functioning correctly, preventing loss of status information despite interface simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures user assurance of proper device operation and facilitates patient location through audible feedback, enhancing safety by providing clear indicators of device status and enabling caregivers to locate patients efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
An audio transducer is located in the housing and operationally coupled to the circuit for generating an audio signal indicating at least one operational state of the device
Data Source
AI summary
An ambulatory medical telemetry device (10) is provided. This device includes at least one sensor (18) for detecting at least one physiological parameter of a patient and a housing that is securable to the patient. A circuit (50) is located in the housing for receiving and processing a signal representative of the physiological parameter from the sensor to generate recordable physiological data. An audible indicator (16) is located in the housing and operationally coupled to the circuit for generating an audio signal indicating at least one operational state of the device.