Medical Device Setup Synchronization for Time Zone Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional end user medical devices, such as blood glucose meters, often require costly battery upgrades and manual time zone adjustments due to prolonged storage and potential location differences, leading to inefficient battery usage and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A setup synchronization apparatus that wirelessly and automatically sets the real-time clock and other parameters of medical devices using a programmable microcontroller, memory, transceiver, and USB interface, allowing for synchronization with a host computer to configure time zones, units, and other settings before the device is activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the real-time clock is set by the manufacturer before packaging to ensure accurate time indexing, then the time accuracy is improved, but the battery power consumption increases significantly during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the manufacturer pre-configure the device with a default time zone setting before packaging, rather than requiring the real-time clock to run continuously. This allows the device to be ready for use with accurate time indexing from the start of patient use, while avoiding continuous battery consumption during storage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the time zone configuration function from the real-time clock operation. Instead of relying on the RTC to provide time accuracy during storage, the system separates the time zone setting (configured once by manufacturer or healthcare provider) from the actual timekeeping function, allowing the device to maintain accuracy without continuous power consumption during storage.
2Measurement precision
If a more expensive battery is used to power the real-time clock during maximum storage duration, then the time accuracy is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturer performs preliminary configuration of the time zone setting before packaging, ensuring the device is ready for accurate time indexing from the moment of patient use. This eliminates the need for expensive long-duration batteries while maintaining time accuracy during the storage period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent effectively uses a cheap, short-living battery approach by configuring the time zone once before packaging and not requiring the battery to power the real-time clock during storage. The battery only needs to last for the operational period after patient activation, not for the entire storage duration, significantly reducing battery cost requirements.
3Measurement precision
If the healthcare provider manually adjusts the time zone configuration, then the time accuracy for the specific location is improved, but the setup time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturer performs the time zone configuration action in advance during the packaging process, based on expected usage locations or default settings. This preliminary action eliminates the need for healthcare providers to manually adjust time zones during patient setup, reducing both setup time and operational complexity while maintaining time accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with time zone information during manufacturing, allowing it to automatically provide accurate time indexing without requiring manual intervention from healthcare providers. The system serves itself by having the configuration already in place, eliminating the manual adjustment step.
4Ease of operation
If the device is configured with default settings by the manufacturer, then the ease of activation is improved, but the adaptability to specific patient needs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturer performs preliminary configuration of essential parameters like time zone before packaging, providing a ready-to-use default configuration that simplifies activation. This preliminary setup covers the basic requirements for most patients, enabling quick deployment while maintaining the ability to adjust other parameters if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The default time zone configuration provides universal applicability across different patients and locations, allowing the majority of devices to be activated immediately without customization. The system maintains versatility by allowing healthcare providers to modify other device parameters while keeping the core time configuration universally applicable.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention enable setup synchronization of an end user medical device such as a blood glucose meter. The invention includes a controller including a memory; a transceiver operatively coupled to the controller; and a host computer interface operative to couple the controller to a host computer, wherein the memory is operative to store instructions executable on the controller. The instructions are adapted to cause the controller to scan for an advertising medical device using the transceiver, establish a communications connection with a medical device advertising for synchronization, and transmit synchronization data to a medical device once a communication connection has been established. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.