Hospital Bed Control Using Patient Health Data for Auto-Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current person-support apparatuses, such as hospital beds, require manual adjustment of operating parameters by caregivers based on patient-specific health parameters, which can be time-consuming and may not always reflect the optimal settings for patient safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a processor, receiver, and memory device that automatically configures operating parameters by processing information from sensors and a hospital network to determine optimal settings for parameters like bed movement, mattress firmness, and alarm conditions based on patient characteristics, such as mobility and disease diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual adjustment of operating parameters by caregivers is used, then patient-specific care can be provided, but it is time-consuming and may not reflect the patient's current condition
Solution Approach 1:
The person-support apparatus automatically configures its own operating parameters by receiving patient health information from sensors and the hospital network, processing this information through a control system, and adjusting parameters without requiring manual intervention from caregivers. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by automating the parameter configuration process while maintaining patient-specific care.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring patient characteristics (such as mobility, activity level, and weight) and adjusts operating parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the apparatus adapts to the patient's current condition automatically, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments while maintaining care quality.
2Reliability
If operating parameters are manually adjusted based on patient characteristics, then patient safety can be enhanced, but caregiver burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors patient characteristics through integrated sensors and adjusts operating parameters to maintain patient safety without requiring continuous caregiver intervention. This reduces caregiver burden while maintaining or enhancing patient safety through automated decision-making based on real-time patient data.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process by caregivers is replaced with an automated electronic control system that processes patient data and adjusts parameters electronically. This substitution eliminates the physical and time burden on caregivers while maintaining patient safety through precise, data-driven parameter control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If default values are used for operating parameters, then apparatus operation is simplified, but patient-specific optimization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The operating parameters transition from static default values to dynamic, patient-specific optimized values through automated processing of patient health information. The control system continuously adapts parameters based on real-time sensor data, enabling the apparatus to optimize performance for each patient while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of patient characteristics using sensor data and hospital network information before configuring operating parameters. This preliminary action enables automatic optimization of parameters for each patient without requiring complex manual configuration, as the system pre-processes patient data to determine optimal settings.
Data Source
AI summary
A person-support apparatus operates according to a set of default operating parameters, processes information corresponding to an occupant of the person-support apparatus from a receiver to determine if an optimal value for an operating parameter is different from the default value, modifies a default operating parameter to an optimal value based on the information corresponding to the occupant of the person-support apparatus to create a modified operating parameter, and operates the person-support apparatus utilizing the modified operating parameter.