Dynamic Threshold Adjustment for Physiological Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physiologic monitoring systems face issues with false alarms due to static threshold limits, leading to delayed detection of patient deterioration or improvement, as they do not account for the time-varying effects of medical interventions, resulting in unnecessary alerts and potential delays in treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically adjust threshold limits for monitored physiological parameters based on time-varying criteria, including an initial, worsened condition, and post-administration thresholds, to minimize false alarms and promptly notify clinicians of patient response to therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If static threshold limits are used for physiological monitoring, then the monitoring system is simple and easy to operate, but false alarms increase and timely detection of patient deterioration or improvement is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static threshold limits to dynamic, time-varying thresholds that automatically adjust based on the phase of medical intervention. The system implements three distinct threshold phases: initial thresholds before intervention, worsened condition thresholds during the intervention period (allowing temporary deterioration), and post-administration thresholds after the intervention. This dynamic adaptation eliminates false alarms while maintaining ease of operation through automated threshold adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of threshold values from fixed to variable based on time and intervention status. The system modifies threshold parameters automatically according to the clinical phase, allowing thresholds to temporarily worsen during intervention periods when physiological deterioration is expected, then restoring normal thresholds after the intervention. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting to clinical needs without requiring manual intervention.
2Device complexity
If static threshold limits are used, then the monitoring system requires minimal configuration, but meaningful feedback regarding patient response to intervention is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring physiological parameters against the dynamically adjusted thresholds and providing timely information about patient response to intervention. The system compares current parameter values to the appropriate phase-specific thresholds and generates alerts when parameters violate expectations, giving clinicians immediate feedback on whether the patient is responding appropriately to therapy. This feedback mechanism is achieved through automated comparison logic without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the three-phase threshold structure (initial, worsened condition, and post-administration thresholds) before the actual monitoring occurs. The system is pre-programmed with the logic to automatically transition between threshold phases based on intervention timing, so that when monitoring begins, the appropriate thresholds are already in place. This preliminary setup enables meaningful patient response feedback without requiring complex real-time configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If threshold limits are held unchanged during medical intervention, then the monitoring system maintains consistent criteria, but false alarms result and timely detection of non-response is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the threshold system dynamic rather than static. During the intervention period, the system automatically switches to worsened condition thresholds that temporarily allow physiological deterioration, preventing false alarms. After the intervention, the system transitions back to normal thresholds to detect non-response. This dynamic behavior maintains stability during appropriate phases while enabling timely detection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the monitoring period into three distinct phases with different threshold criteria: (1) initial phase before intervention with normal thresholds, (2) intervention phase with worsened condition thresholds that temporarily permit deterioration, and (3) post-administration phase with restored normal thresholds. This segmentation allows the system to maintain stability during the intervention period while enabling timely non-response detection afterward, resolving the time loss problem.
Data Source
AI summary
When monitoring physiological parameters (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) of a patient, a threshold limit (30) is set (e.g., automatically or manually) and the monitored parameter is continuously compared to the threshold limit, which may be constant or may vary with time. An alarm (36) is triggered if the monitored parameter exceeds the threshold limit at any time, or if the monitored parameter has not reached a target value by the end of a predefined time period by which an administered drug or therapy should have been effective.