Automatic Medical Device Configuration via Removal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical devices, such as insulin pumps and glucose monitors, often require manual updating of user-specific configuration data when replaced, leading to user frustration and potential errors due to the tedious and error-prone process.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for automatic configuration of replacement medical devices by detecting when an in-use device is being removed from service and transferring the latest user-specific configuration data to the replacement device, either directly or through an intermediate device like a charger or cloud server, ensuring seamless handover and minimizing human error.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration is used for replacement devices, then device complexity is reduced, but user frustration increases and configuration accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoiduser frustration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The replacement device automatically configures itself by detecting its placement on the patient and initiating the data transfer process without requiring manual user intervention. The system performs the configuration task autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually input or transfer configuration data, thereby reducing user frustration while maintaining high configuration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of device placement on the patient before the configuration process begins. This triggers the automatic configuration sequence in advance, ensuring that replacement devices are pre-configured with the most current patient data before the user even interacts with the device, thereby eliminating manual configuration steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If manual configuration is performed, then device complexity remains low, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice setup speedVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects when a replacement device is placed on the patient and automatically initiates the configuration process in advance. This preliminary detection and automatic triggering eliminates the need for users to manually start the configuration process, significantly reducing the time required for device setup and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of users physically transferring or manually inputting configuration data is replaced with an automated electronic system. The replacement device automatically communicates with the cloud server or directly with the previous device to retrieve and apply configuration data, substituting manual operations with automated electronic data transfer and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If automatic configuration is implemented, then configuration accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary between the replacement device and the previous device's configuration data. This intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a centralized data storage and retrieval mechanism, reducing the complexity of direct device-to-device communication while maintaining high configuration accuracy through secure data transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If automatic data transfer is used, then configuration accuracy improves, but loss of information may increase due to transfer errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoiddata transfer errors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to verify the successful transfer and configuration of patient data. The replacement device receives confirmation from the cloud server or previous device that the configuration data has been successfully transferred and applied, allowing the system to detect and correct any potential transfer errors, thereby maintaining high configuration accuracy while minimizing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250014708A1Automatic configuration of user-specific data based on removal from service

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC

AI summary

Techniques for automatically configuring a medical device with user-specific configuration data are provided. In some embodiments, the techniques may involve determining, by a first medical device, that the first medical device is being removed from service on a patient based at least in part on detecting removal of a portion of the first medical device from contact with or being coupled to the patient. The techniques may further involve in response to determining that the first medical device is being removed from service on the patient, communicating user-specific configuration data used by the first medical device to a second medical device, wherein the second medical device is a replacement medical device for the first medical device.