Clip-on Module for Garment-Mounted Patient Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Nursing homes and residential facilities face challenges in monitoring large groups of elderly or impaired patients who often experience incontinence issues, leading to urinary tract infections and subsequent hospitalizations, which are costly and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A clip-on module with probe contacts, sensors, and communication features is designed for attachment to a specialized garment, allowing for secure and comfortable tracking of patients' health conditions, including moisture detection, body orientation, and skin conductivity, while eliminating the need for additional electronic devices during garment changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clip-on module is attached to a garment for monitoring patients, then patient health tracking capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: a clip-on electronics module with processing capabilities, sensor arrays for different physiological parameters, probe contacts for moisture detection, and communication components. Each module can be independently manufactured, tested, and replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip-on module is designed as a multi-functional integrated unit that simultaneously performs moisture detection, temperature monitoring, motion sensing, and wireless communication. This consolidates multiple monitoring functions into a single device, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If probe contacts are made sharp for penetrating garment layers, then contact reliability is improved, but risk of skin damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe contacts feature localized sharp tips only at the specific contact points where they need to penetrate garment layers, while the shafts and handles remain rounded and smooth. This concentrates the penetrating capability exactly where needed for reliable electrical contact, while the non-penetrating portions maintain patient comfort and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe contacts are designed with controlled penetration depth and rounded shafts that prevent excessive insertion. The garment structure itself acts as a cushioning element, limiting how far the probes can penetrate into the patient's skin, thereby preventing damage while maintaining adequate electrical contact.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and indicators are integrated into the module, then monitoring capability is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The module incorporates automatic sensor activation and data processing capabilities, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex operation during garment changes. Sensors automatically begin monitoring when the module is attached, and the system self-calibrates and transmits data without requiring caregiver intervention beyond simple attachment and removal.
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
The module provides a reliable and efficient method for monitoring patients' health conditions, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections and hospitalizations by enabling real-time data collection and communication, thus improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of probe contacts within the module have sharpness requirements for penetrating one or more layers of the garment while still maintaining low resistance
Implementation Method 2
sensors, temperature (contact and/or non-contact)
Implementation Method 3
sensors, temperature (contact and/or non-contact)
Implementation Method 4
accelerometer
Implementation Method 5
skin conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A clip-on module having a specialized housing design, probe contacts, switches, various advertising modes, and various configurations of signal repeaters is disclosed. The module is utilized via attachment to a specialized garment worn by a human patient. To properly apply the housing to the garment, a user will squeeze the module to open using tactile features embedded within the housing, locate the module, and then press-clamp the module to close and attach it. A plurality of probe contacts within the module have sharpness requirements for penetrating one or more layers of the garment while still maintaining low resistance, and will work with a backing material for probe.