Heart Support Alarm Modulation via Volume Time Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alarm systems in heart support systems do not effectively prioritize and modulate alarm signals based on the urgency and duration of alarm events, potentially leading to inadequate notification of medical staff.
Innovation Solution
The heart support system incorporates a sound-generation controller that overlays a volume time curve onto the alarm signal time curve, based on the alarm priority and the time since the alarm event occurred, to modulate the alarm signal volume in a defined on-off pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alarm signals are continuously emitted without modulation, then medical staff can be notified of alarm events, but medical staff may experience alarm fatigue and become desensitized to critical alerts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by modulating alarm signals through volume time curves that create defined on-off patterns. Different alarm priorities receive different modulation patterns, with critical alarms using more persistent patterns and less critical alarms using more intermittent patterns. This periodic modulation maintains staff alertness while preventing alarm fatigue from continuous unmodulated alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making alarm signal characteristics variable based on alarm priority and time since alarm occurrence. The volume time curves dynamically adjust signal intensity and timing, transitioning from high intensity at alarm onset to lower intensity over time. This dynamic approach optimizes notification effectiveness while reducing harmful alarm fatigue effects.
2Ease of operation
If all alarm events are treated with the same notification intensity, then the alarm system is simple to operate, but critical alarm events may not receive sufficient attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different notification characteristics to different alarm priorities. Critical alarms receive high-intensity, persistent notification patterns while less critical alarms receive lower-intensity patterns. This localized differentiation ensures critical events receive sufficient attention while maintaining overall system simplicity through standardized priority levels and associated time curves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying alarm signal parameters (volume, timing, duration) based on alarm priority. The system stores multiple volume time curves with different parameter configurations for different priority levels. This parameter differentiation improves critical alarm detection while keeping the system simple through predefined parameter sets associated with each priority level.
3Reliability
If alarm signals are emitted at high volume continuously, then medical staff are ensured to notice critical alarms, but it may cause distress to patients and interfere with normal hospital environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to modulate alarm signal volume through time-dependent volume time curves. Critical alarms start at high volume to ensure immediate attention but transition to lower volume over time through defined on-off patterns. This periodic modulation maintains notification reliability for critical events while reducing patient distress and environmental interference during sustained alarm conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making alarm volume variable over time and based on alarm priority. The system dynamically adjusts signal intensity from high initial volume to lower sustained volume, and differentiates between priority levels. This dynamic approach ensures critical alarms are noticed while minimizing harmful effects on patients and hospital environment.
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
This solution ensures that alarm signals are prioritized and modulated appropriately, providing clear and timely notifications to medical staff based on the severity and duration of alarm events, thereby enhancing patient safety and system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
actuate one or more sound-generating devices (4) such that the alarm signal time curve (45) is converted with the overlaid volume time curve into sound signals
Data Source
AI summary
A heart support system is provided includes a control unit and sound-generating devices, said control unit configured to detect and process alarm events and to carry out control tasks in the heart support system. The heart support system further includes a storage device configured to store one or more defined alarm signal time curves and one or more alarm priorities. Each alarm signal time curve and each alarm priority is assigned to an alarm event. A sound-generation controller is configured such that when an alarm event is detected, the controller overlays a volume time curve onto the alarm signal time curve assigned to the alarm event in the storage device, said volume time curve based on the alarm priority assigned to the respective alarm event in the storage device and the length of time since the detection of the alarm event.