Hospital Emergency Call Panel with Segmented Pull Cord and Push Button Actuators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nurse call systems in healthcare settings often require patients to use a pull cord for emergency signals, which can lead to non-emergency situations being misinterpreted as emergencies, necessitating a device that can differentiate between emergency and non-emergency messages.
Innovation Solution
A single gang emergency call panel with a pull cord for emergency signals and a separate actuator for non-emergency signals, featuring a compact design, clear user-friendly labeling, and illumination for the non-emergency actuator, allowing patients to initiate distinct messages within the hospital communication network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single pull cord is used to activate the nurse call system, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but it cannot differentiate between emergency and non-emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The pull cord assembly is segmented into two distinct actuators: a pull cord actuator for emergency situations and a push button actuator for non-emergency situations. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between message types while maintaining simplicity in each individual actuator's operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different actuators with distinct characteristics are provided at different locations on the call panel. The pull cord is positioned for emergency activation while the push button is positioned for non-emergency activation, with each actuator having unique local qualities that indicate its specific function.
2Device complexity
If only an emergency pull cord is provided, then the device structure is simple, but it causes false alarms for non-emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is segmented into two separate controls: a pull cord for emergency alerts and a push button for non-emergency alerts. This segmentation prevents false emergency alarms while maintaining relatively simple device structure by using straightforward actuator mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit board acts as an intermediary that receives signals from both actuators and processes them differently. It routes emergency pull cord activations to emergency response protocols while routing push button activations to non-emergency protocols, ensuring accurate alarm classification.
3Loss of information
If multiple actuators are added to differentiate message types, then message differentiation is improved, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is segmented into two simple, distinct controls rather than one complex multi-function actuator. Each actuator has a single, unambiguous function, which simplifies the overall device architecture while enabling clear message differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuators are differentiated by their physical characteristics and positioning on the panel, with the pull cord and push button having distinct forms that intuitively indicate their different functions, reducing the need for complex labeling or additional indicators.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient controlled single gang signaling device for use within a hospital communication network. The device contains two actuators, one for initiating an emergency distress call while the other initiates a non-emergency distress call. The emergency distress call actuator is controlled with a pull cord, thus enabling a patient to send out an emergency distress signal from a position away from the unit. The device also includes a third actuator providing the user with the option of terminating the transmission of any message.