Medical Supply Console with Integrated Audio Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of suitable devices for securely, hygienically, and medically approving the application of soothing and therapeutic sounds in clinical settings like operating theaters and intensive care units, which can negatively impact patient mental health and medical staff performance.

Innovation Solution

A modular medical-technical supply console with integrated audio-playback-systems that provide predetermined soothing sounds through loudspeakers or headphones, designed for secure and hygienic use, including modules for medical-technical supply and electrical connections, allowing for customizable sound selection and internet connectivity for music download.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soothing sounds are introduced into clinical settings to improve patient mental health and staff performance, then therapeutic effect is improved, but lack of secure and hygienic application methods worsens reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure and hygienic applicationVSAvoidlack of suitable devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the audio playback system with the medical supply console, integrating loudspeakers and control units into the existing medical infrastructure. This merging ensures that the therapeutic sound system meets medical hygiene standards and is securely implemented in clinical environments, while providing versatile sound playback capabilities for both patients and medical staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The medical supply console is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides medical gas supply, electrical power, and now also audio playback capabilities. The control unit can play back sounds for both patients (therapeutic effect) and medical staff (performance improvement), making the system universally applicable to different user groups and clinical needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If audio systems are integrated into medical consoles to provide therapeutic sounds, then patient mental health improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic sound capabilityVSAvoidconsole structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio playback system is merged with the existing medical supply console structure. The loudspeakers, control units, and power supply are integrated into the console's housing, utilizing existing mounting points and electrical connections. This approach provides therapeutic sound capabilities without requiring a completely separate audio system, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If predetermined sounds are played for medical staff to improve performance, then staff concentration improves, but loss of time for setup and operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedical staff performanceVSAvoidoperation setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is pre-configured with predetermined sound selections and playback settings. Medical staff can quickly select from pre-programmed options without needing to perform complex setup procedures. The system remembers previous settings and allows rapid reconfiguration, minimizing time loss while maintaining improved staff performance through targeted sound playback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The console improves patient mental health and medical staff performance by providing calming and therapeutic sounds, enhancing recovery and healing chances while ensuring medical approval and hygiene standards are met.

Implementation Method 1

an audio-playback-system integrated in the support frame for playing predetermined soothing and therapeutic sounds in the treatment room

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS10518062B2Support or supply system for medical devices

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 ONDAL MEDICAL SYST

AI summary

A console for supplying medical-technical devices in a treatment room has a support frame and several connectors or sockets for medical-technical supply or for withdrawal of gases and/or electrical supply currents, as well as for providing electronic communication paths for medical-technical end devices. The console can incorporate an audio playback system integrated in the support frame for filling the treatment room with predetermined soothing or therapeutic sounds. The support system may be adapted for being mounted to or suspended from a ceiling mount in a treatment room, and can have a support frame having an integrated and medically approved audio playback system.