Medical Device Pairing Using Filtered Wireless Broadcast Scans

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Solution Overview

Problem

In medical facilities, wireless radios transmit over long distances, causing multiple devices to appear in pairing lists, making it difficult for caregivers to select the correct medical device and control device, which can lead to errors in care delivery and medication dosage.

Innovation Solution

A pairable medical device and control device system that includes communication systems, processors, and interfaces to scan, identify, and pair devices based on scanning criteria, using wireless broadcasts and self-identifying data to ensure accurate pairing and unpairing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If wireless radios transmit over long distances, then communication range is improved, but device identification accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoiddevice identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary scanning and selection mechanism between the control device and medical devices. The control device scans for wireless broadcasts from medical devices, receives identifying data, and presents a filtered list to the user. This intermediary scanning process acts as a mediator that receives signals over long distances but then processes and filters them to ensure accurate identification, resolving the contradiction between communication range and identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by filtering and sorting the list of available medical devices based on local criteria such as signal strength and device location information. Instead of treating all received signals equally, the system prioritizes devices based on their local characteristics (signal strength, proximity), thereby maintaining accurate identification even when receiving signals over long distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices appear in pairing list, then device availability is improved, but user selection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice availabilityVSAvoiduser selection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the list of available medical devices into a structured, filtered presentation. Instead of showing all possible devices, the system segments the results based on relevant criteria (signal strength, device type, location) and presents them in an organized manner. This segmentation makes it easier for users to find and select the correct device while still maintaining access to multiple available devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-filtering and sorting the device list before presenting it to the user. The control device proactively scans for devices, receives identifying data, and prepares a curated list based on predetermined criteria (signal strength, compatibility). This preliminary organization reduces the cognitive load on users during selection while maintaining comprehensive device availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated pairing is implemented, then pairing speed is improved, but pairing accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing speedVSAvoidpairing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control device receives identifying data from medical devices, presents this information to the user for verification, and only completes pairing after user confirmation. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain high pairing speed through automated scanning and filtering while ensuring accuracy through user verification of the selected device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12604173B2Pairable devices and systems and methods for providing assisted pairing of devices to particular locations

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 HILL ROM SERVICES INC

AI summary

Systems and methods include a medical device that scans for wireless broadcasts based upon received input or satisfying a scanning criterion. The medical device, based upon the scan, identifies data wirelessly broadcast from a control device. The medical device outputs information to the interface identifying the control device. The medical device receives input from the interface selecting the control device. The medical device receives a command from the control device. The medical device physically interacts with a user based upon the command received from the control device. The medical device sends wireless confirmation of pairing to the control device. The medical device subsequently sends wireless confirmation of unpairing to the control device. The medical device performs a scan for wireless broadcasts in response to the unpairing, based upon received input or satisfying the scanning criterion.