Insulin Pump Software Basal Profile Thumbnail Preview

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Solution Overview

Problem

Insulin pump basal rate profile programming is a time-consuming and error-prone process, posing serious health risks due to the complexity of modifying insulin delivery parameters, which conventional software does not adequately simplify or safety-proof.

Innovation Solution

The software allows operators to preview thumbnail images of basal rate profiles without accessing underlying data, enabling quick identification and editing or replacement of profiles, with visual confirmation of changes before saving to the pump, incorporating safety features to prevent inadvertent modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional programming software requires accessing underlying data files to review basal rate profiles, then complete data access is achieved, but the programming process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming speedVSAvoidsoftware operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates thumbnail copies of basal rate profile data that display key information (hourly rates, total daily basal) without requiring access to the underlying detailed data files. These thumbnail representations allow operators to review and identify profiles quickly, dramatically reducing programming time while maintaining the ability to access complete data when needed for editing or replacement decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If operators manually review each profile by accessing underlying data, then accurate profile identification is achieved, but the process becomes error-prone and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile identification accuracyVSAvoidprogramming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary organization and visualization of profile data in thumbnail format before the operator needs to make selection decisions. By pre-calculating and displaying key profile characteristics (total daily basal, hourly rates) in an organized grid layout, the system enables rapid and accurate profile identification without requiring operators to manually access and review detailed data files for each profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If safety features prompt operators to review proposed modifications, then user safety is improved, but the programming process becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming safetyVSAvoidprogramming simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that automatically compare proposed profile modifications with existing profiles and prompt operators to review changes before they are applied. The system provides visual feedback showing what will be changed and requires confirmation, ensuring safety while maintaining ease of operation through automated comparison and clear presentation of proposed changes rather than requiring complex manual verification procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2332085B1Insulin pump programming software with basal profile preview feature
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG
  • EP2332085B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2332085B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2332085B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Insulin pump programming software is disclosed that generates thumbnail images of basal rate profile data contained in source files and displays the images to permit an operator to select the desired profile data without opening the source fifes. The software also permits the operator to verify changes to pump profiles before programming the pump by displaying thumbnail images of the current pump profile and the new pump profile.