Chunked UI Feature Disclosure for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electronic medical systems are reluctant to adopt new features due to unfamiliarity and concerns about data accuracy, especially in critical care settings where familiarity with static user interfaces is crucial to avoid mistakes.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a display and input interface that implements a user interface (UI) with new features grouped into chunks, where each chunk can be assigned an active or hidden state, allowing for a gradual rollout of features based on user interaction and usage analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new features are added to the medical device to improve functionality, then the device capabilities are enhanced, but user confusion and reluctance to adopt increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides new features into discrete 'chunks' that can be individually activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows the system to present only relevant new features to users based on their needs and familiarity, preventing information overload while maintaining access to enhanced capabilities. Users can gradually adopt new features without being overwhelmed by all changes at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic feature activation system where the user interface can adapt its complexity based on user interaction patterns, training status, and clinical context. The system transitions from a static all-or-nothing feature presentation to a dynamic, context-aware disclosure that adjusts the number and type of new features presented based on real-time assessment of user needs and clinical situations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all new features are activated simultaneously to maximize functionality, then the device provides complete capabilities, but user training time and clinical workflow disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of user needs, clinical context, and feature importance before activating new features. The system pre-evaluates which features should be disclosed based on clinical guidelines, user role, and patient acuity level, allowing for targeted feature activation that reduces training time while maintaining essential functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial feature activation where only the necessary subset of new features is activated initially based on clinical needs and user proficiency. Rather than activating all features simultaneously, the system activates a controlled portion of features that provide sufficient functionality for safe and effective use, with additional features becoming available as users gain experience and confidence.
3Ease of operation
If new features are disclosed gradually to reduce user confusion, then user adoption improves, but the time to fully implement all features increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms that monitor user interaction with the system, tracking which features are used, which are ignored, and which cause confusion. This feedback informs the dynamic adjustment of feature disclosure timing and sequencing, allowing the system to optimize the rollout pace based on actual user adoption patterns rather than following a fixed schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic reassessment of feature activation status based on time intervals, user performance metrics, and clinical outcomes. The system periodically evaluates whether users are ready for additional feature chunks and adjusts the disclosure schedule accordingly, creating a rhythm of feature introduction that balances gradual adoption with comprehensive implementation.
4Reliability
If the user interface is kept static to ensure familiarity and reduce mistakes, then user safety is maintained, but the device cannot benefit from new capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different levels of stability to different portions of the user interface. Core safety-critical functions and workflows maintain static, familiar interfaces to ensure reliability and reduce mistakes. Meanwhile, non-critical or advanced features can be dynamically updated and disclosed to provide new capabilities. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain overall stability while enabling selective innovation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feature management intermediary layer that sits between the core stable system and new feature additions. This intermediary controls the disclosure and activation of new features, acting as a buffer that protects the core system from disruption while allowing new capabilities to be introduced in a controlled manner that maintains safety and reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable medium (16) stores instructions readable and executable by an electronic processor (14) to perform a user interface (UI) updating method (100) for a medical device (10). The UI updating method includes receiving an update (30) for a UI (28), wherein features of the update are grouped into a plurality of chunks; assigning chunks of the plurality of chunks an active or hidden state; and presenting the UI including the features of the chunks assigned.