Defibrillator Data Transmission for Care Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for cardiac resuscitation lack efficient methods to store and transmit information about treatment performed by caregivers and health status of victims, particularly electrocardiogram (ECG) data, which can hinder informed decision-making by subsequent caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising computing devices configured to receive, store, and transmit information about treatment performance and health status, including ECG traces, using secure protocols, allowing for the display and access of historical treatment data on defibrillators and remote devices, enabling informed treatment decisions by trained caregivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If treatment information and ECG data are stored locally on the defibrillator, then data availability for subsequent caregivers is improved, but device memory capacity and data management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication module as an intermediary that enables data transfer between the defibrillator and external devices (smartphones, tablets, computers). This mediator handles the complex task of data storage and management externally, while the defibrillator maintains its primary function. The communication module uses standard protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB) to facilitate seamless data exchange without adding complexity to the core defibrillation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of treatment information and ECG data that can be transmitted to multiple external devices simultaneously. Instead of storing all data in one location, the defibrillator generates copies that can be distributed to various devices, ensuring data availability without overburdening the device's internal storage. This copying approach allows subsequent caregivers to access data on any connected device.
2Productivity
If real-time transmission of treatment data is implemented, then care continuity between responders is improved, but communication protocol complexity and data security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module is designed with multi-functionality to handle various communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB) within a single integrated system. This universal approach allows the defibrillator to connect with different types of devices using appropriate protocols automatically, simplifying the user experience while maintaining robust communication capabilities. The system can switch between protocols based on what's available, ensuring care continuity without requiring complex protocol management from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic data transmission triggered by treatment completion or device disconnection events. When the defibrillator detects that treatment has ended or it has been disconnected from the patient, it automatically initiates data transmission to connected devices without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach ensures timely data transfer for care continuity while reducing the operational burden on caregivers during critical moments.
3Reliability
If comprehensive treatment data including ECG traces are transmitted, then informed decision-making by subsequent caregivers is improved, but data transmission time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the most critical treatment data elements first, such as treatment type, duration, and key ECG findings, while optional comprehensive data can be transferred later if needed. This extraction approach ensures that subsequent caregivers receive essential information quickly for immediate decision-making, while the option to access complete datasets remains available if more detailed analysis is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The defibrillator automatically begins data transmission as soon as treatment completion is detected, performing the data transfer action preliminarily before the caregiver needs to access it. By initiating transmission immediately upon treatment end or device disconnection, the system ensures data is ready for access without adding delay to the caregiver workflow. Power management features also prepare for transmission by maintaining buffer memory readiness.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a first computing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The processor and the memory are configured to receive at least one of (i) information indicative of treatment of a victim by a first caregiver using the first computing device and (ii) information indicative of a health status of the victim; determine that treatment of the victim by the first caregiver using the first computing device is completed; and transmit the received information to a second computing device.