Medical Device Feature Trial and Subscription System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices, such as positive pressure therapy devices, are often delivered with only basic operating features enabled due to reimbursement policies, limiting patients' access to advanced features and modes, which can lead to discomfort and ineffective treatment, and making it difficult for patients to experience the benefits of more advanced operating features or different therapy modes.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows patients to trial and subscribe to additional operating features of medical devices, such as positive pressure therapy devices, enabling them to experience advanced features for a specified period or permanently, by receiving a trial or subscription enablement code, which can be obtained from the manufacturer or dealer, allowing the device to execute associated operating routines and maintain enabled features beyond the initial trial period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If medical devices are delivered with only basic operating features enabled due to reimbursement policies, then cost control and reimbursement compliance are improved, but patient access to advanced features and treatment effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments operating features into basic features (enabled by default) and advanced features (enabled through trial codes). This segmentation allows the device to provide comprehensive functionality while maintaining cost control through selective enabling of advanced features based on patient needs and reimbursement policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic feature enabling where the device can transition from a static set of enabled features to a dynamic configuration. The microprocessor can alter the operating routine to enable or disable advanced features based on trial code activation, allowing adaptability without permanent cost increases.
2Quantity of substance
If advanced operating features are disabled to control costs, then reimbursement compliance is improved, but treatment comfort and effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a trial period before full commitment. The device enables advanced features temporarily through trial codes, allowing patients to experience improved treatment effectiveness before deciding whether to continue using these features permanently or switch to different features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of feature availability from permanent disablement to time-limited enablement. By altering the temporal parameter of advanced feature availability through trial codes, the system maintains reimbursement compliance while allowing temporary access to improve treatment effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If a single operating routine is executed permanently, then device simplicity and reliability are improved, but adaptability to new therapies and technologies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static operating routine into a dynamic configuration. The microprocessor can execute different operating routines based on trial code activation, allowing the device to adapt to new therapies and technologies while maintaining a relatively simple base architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the device to perform multiple therapy modes through a single hardware platform. The operating routine can be altered to provide different therapy modes (e.g., CPAP, bi-level, auto-titration) based on activated trial codes, making the device universally applicable to various treatment needs.
4Reliability
If dealers enable multiple operating features before distribution, then patient treatment quality is improved, but reimbursement compliance and cost control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action at the patient level rather than the dealer level. Trial codes are provided to patients individually, allowing them to experience advanced features temporarily without requiring dealers to permanently enable these features or seek reimbursement approval in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing patients to independently activate trial codes and experience advanced features without dealer intervention or reimbursement approval processes. This eliminates the conflict between dealer enablement and reimbursement compliance by placing the decision-making power with the patient.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating a medical device having a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is structured to store a number of operating routines, each of at least some of the number of operating routines being associated with a number of operating features of the medical device, and wherein the processor is adapted to execute a first one of the number of operating routines enabling a first set of operating features. The method comprises receiving an enablement code associated with a second operating routine, executing the second operating routing for a predetermined period responsive to receipt of the enablement code, wherein execution of the second operating routine enables a second set of operating features, and terminating execution of the second operating routine responsive to expiration of the predetermined period.