Circular Track GUI for Medical Device Parameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device programmers lack intuitive and comfortable interfaces for adjusting therapy parameters, potentially causing discomfort to patients during parameter adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI)-based circular adjustment control element that allows clinicians to adjust medical device parameters in discrete steps, displaying the current and desired parameter values, and incrementally changing them to alleviate discomfort and pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional parameter adjustment interfaces are used, then device functionality is maintained, but user comfort and ease of operation deteriorate due to non-intuitive controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a circular track interface instead of traditional linear or button-based controls. The circular progression visually represents parameter changes, making the adjustment process more intuitive and comfortable for users while maintaining clear visibility of current and target values.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface transitions from conventional 2D button/ slider controls to a circular dimensional representation where parameter values progress around a circle. This dimensional change provides better visual feedback and more intuitive control for parameter adjustment.
2Productivity
If parameters are adjusted rapidly, then productivity improves, but patient comfort deteriorates due to discomfort and pain during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows clinicians to pre-specify a target parameter value using the circular track, and then automatically executes the adjustment in controlled discrete steps. This preliminary action planning followed by automated execution enables fast overall adjustment while preventing sudden changes that would cause patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The parameter adjustment occurs in periodic discrete steps rather than continuously or all at once. Each step allows the system to monitor patient response and adjust accordingly, maintaining productivity while avoiding harmful rapid changes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If discrete step adjustments are implemented, then patient comfort improves, but adjustment time increases compared to instantaneous changes
Solution Approach 1:
The circular track interface maintains continuous visual feedback throughout the adjustment process, showing both current and target values at all times. This continuous information availability allows for efficient monitoring and decision-making, reducing the effective time loss despite the stepped adjustment process.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes presenting, by a computing device, a range of available parameter values for the therapy parameter via a circular track, indicating, by the computing device, a present parameter value for the therapy parameter via the circular track, and receiving, by the computing device, via a user interface (UI), user input specifying a target parameter value for the therapy parameter, indicating, by the computing device, the target parameter value in conjunction with the present parameter value via the circular track, receiving by the computing device, via the UI, user input activating an adjustment from the present parameter value to the target parameter value, and in response to receiving the user input activating the adjustment, controlling, by the computing device, the medical device to adjust the therapy parameter value from the present parameter value to the target parameter value.