Breathing Assistance Interface for Mode-Specific User Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing assistance devices are difficult to configure and manage, requiring trained professionals and often involve complex modes and conditions that are hard for users to assess efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A breathing assistance apparatus with a display that provides visual information, including operating modes, operational parameters, and alarm resolution, featuring a touchscreen interface, automatic detection of peripheral components, and customizable settings to simplify user interaction and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating modes and conditions are provided to enhance device versatility, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases making it difficult for users to assess and manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coding to visually distinguish different operating modes and conditions. Each mode (e.g., invasive ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, CPAP) is assigned a unique color scheme that consistently appears across all related interface elements including buttons, screens, and panels. This allows users to quickly identify and assess the current mode without needing to understand complex technical parameters, thereby maintaining high adaptability while reducing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface is segmented into mode-specific sections and elements. When a particular operating mode is selected, only the relevant controls and parameters for that mode are displayed or activated. This segmentation prevents users from being overwhelmed by all possible controls simultaneously, allowing them to focus on the specific settings needed for the current therapeutic mode while maintaining access to other modes when needed.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive operational parameters and fault codes are displayed to improve information completeness, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates requiring consultation of look-up tables
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate visual feedback through the color-coded interface that directly correlates with the current operating mode and status. When a fault or alarm condition occurs, the corresponding color scheme highlights the relevant information and guides the user toward the appropriate response. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for users to consult external look-up tables, as all necessary operational information is presented in an intuitively organized, visually distinct manner that is easy to interpret and act upon.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controls and settings are provided to enhance device functionality, then the adaptability improves, but the risk of inadvertent changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface dynamically adapts its controls and settings based on the selected operating mode. When a mode is changed, the interface automatically updates to display only the controls and parameters relevant to that specific mode, while hiding or disabling controls not applicable to the current mode. This dynamic reconfiguration reduces the number of accessible controls at any given time, thereby maintaining full adaptability across different modes while minimizing the risk of inadvertent changes to settings that are not currently active or relevant.
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing assistance apparatus user interface is described that presents operational modes, warnings, user instructions, fault conditions, status, menu options, hidden options, screens, panels and the like.