Dynamic DSCP Adjustment for Wireless Patient Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks (WLANs), especially in medical facilities, existing technologies like IEEE 802.11e struggle to dynamically prioritize and manage data transmission effectively, leading to delays and losses of critical patient data due to congestion and varying signal quality, which can impact patient safety.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a node with a controller that adjusts the differentiated services control parameter based on data priority levels, using a weighted sum calculation to dynamically prioritize data packets and adapt to changing conditions, ensuring critical data is transmitted efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the IEEE 802.11e standard with static DSCP parameters is used for traffic prioritization, then different types of traffic can be classified and prioritized, but the system cannot adapt to changing patient acuity levels and network conditions, leading to potential delays in critical data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of DSCP parameters based on real-time patient acuity assessments and network conditions. The system transitions from static to dynamic prioritization by continuously monitoring patient status changes and adjusting traffic class assignments accordingly, ensuring critical data from high-acuity patients receives appropriate priority regardless of network load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor patient acuity levels, network throughput, and packet loss rates. This feedback is used to continuously refine and adjust DSCP parameter assignments, allowing the network to adapt to changing conditions and maintain optimal data transmission reliability for critical patient monitoring data.
2Productivity
If multiple wireless devices compete for network access, then more devices can be monitored simultaneously, but network congestion increases causing delays and losses of critical data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different priority levels to different types of traffic based on patient acuity and data criticality. Not all data is treated equally - critical alarm data from high-acuity patients receives higher priority than routine monitoring data from low-acuity patients, ensuring reliable transmission of life-critical information even when network resources are constrained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes prioritization parameters (DSCP values, queue assignments, transmission timing) based on real-time assessment of patient acuity levels and network conditions. This allows the network to allocate bandwidth and transmission opportunities dynamically, ensuring critical data maintains reliability while accommodating multiple devices.
3Quantity of substance
If the data payload size is increased to transmit more information, then more comprehensive patient data can be transmitted, but transmission time increases and critical data may be delayed or lost during network congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into different priority classes based on criticality. Critical alarm data and real-time monitoring data from high-acuity patients are separated from routine data from low-acuity patients. This segmentation allows the network to transmit critical data quickly even when overall network load is high, preventing delays in life-critical information while still enabling comprehensive data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by transmitting only the most critical data elements first during high-congestion periods, while less critical data can be transmitted later or at lower priority. This ensures that essential patient monitoring information is delivered timely even when network resources are constrained, avoiding complete transmission failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A node is configured for wireless communication with an access point according to a differentiated services control parameter. The node includes a controller configured to provide individualized control of the differentiated services control parameter setting corresponding to the node. The controller is further configured to receive data, assign a priority level to the data, and adjust the differentiated services control parameter setting for the node based on the priority level.