Fluid source for supplying fluid to therapy devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid sources for therapy devices are inefficient and costly due to the need for different configurations for various patient supports, and they often have design issues such as non-intuitive indicator lights and difficulty in viewing visual components, especially when hung from thinner footboards, and are not designed to handle liquid spills effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fluid source with a modular connector system that automatically configures user interfaces and indicator lights based on connected therapy devices, a hanger assembly that adjusts to different footboard thicknesses, and a watershed panel to prevent liquid damage, allowing a single fluid source to serve multiple therapy configurations and improving visibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If different fluid sources are manufactured for different patient support configurations, then the user interface can be optimized for each specific therapy type, but manufacturing efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid source is designed with a universal housing and power supply unit that can support multiple patient support configurations. The system uses a standardized connector assembly that can interface with different types of patient supports (low air loss mattresses, turn assist mattresses, etc.), allowing a single fluid source to provide multiple therapy functions through software configuration rather than requiring separate hardware units for each therapy type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the therapy-specific functions into software modules that can be selectively activated. The controller contains multiple therapy programs that can be enabled or disabled based on the connected patient support type, allowing the same hardware platform to deliver different therapies without requiring different physical units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hanger assembly is sized to accommodate the thickest footboard, then it can hang from any footboard thickness, but the housing walls hang askew when used with thinner footboards making visual components difficult to see
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger assembly incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the connection point between the housing and hanger to be repositioned vertically. This dynamic adjustment enables the housing to maintain a level orientation regardless of footboard thickness, ensuring visual components remain visible and accessible to caregivers.
3Loss of information
If indicator lights are placed on the housing, then they can indicate fluid source states, but they are not intuitive and difficult to view remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-coded indicator lights with standardized color meanings (green for normal operation, yellow for warnings, red for errors) that are intuitively understood by caregivers. The indicator panel is positioned and oriented to maximize remote visibility from typical caregiver viewing distances.
4Volume of moving object
If the housing is designed for compactness, then it saves space, but it is not designed to easily shed liquids preventing damage to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical components and internal electronics are separated from the main housing cavity and placed in a protected compartment or sealed enclosure within the housing. This extraction of sensitive components from the liquid-exposed environment allows the external housing to maintain a compact, liquid-shedding design while the internal components remain protected from liquid damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid source comprises a connector assembly for connecting a fluid supply device to either a first therapy device or to a second therapy device. A controller automatically provides a first configuration of a user interface associated with a first therapy when a supply connector is operatively coupled to the first therapy device and provides a second configuration of the user interface associated with a second therapy, different than the first configuration, when the supply connector is operatively coupled to the second therapy device. A hanger assembly is provided to hang the fluid source on different support structures. The fluid source also comprises a housing with a watershed region to shed liquid away from the user interface.