Medical Lookup Patch with Machine-Readable Code for Post-Operative Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients recovering from surgery face challenges in remembering and accessing personalized post-operative care and recovery information, often relying on cumbersome paper instructions.
Innovation Solution
A medical lookup patch is designed for application to medical devices, featuring a hook-and-loop engagement system and displaying brand, instructive, and lookup information, including a machine-readable code that directs machines to display human-readable recovery information when scanned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patients use paper instructions to access post-operative care information, then information can be provided, but the information is cumbersome and difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper-based information delivery system with an electronic/digital system. The machine-readable code (optical field) on the patch is scanned by a digital device, which then retrieves and displays information from a database, substituting the physical paper handling with electronic information access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the machine-readable code and digital database. Instead of direct paper-to-patient information transfer, the system uses coded information on the patch as an intermediary that links to a comprehensive digital database, enabling efficient information retrieval without direct paper handling.
2Loss of information
If patients are given detailed post-operative instructions, then comprehensive care information is provided, but the information burden on patients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information delivery system into distinct components: a compact machine-readable code on the patch containing essential identification data, and a comprehensive database storing detailed post-operative instructions. This segmentation allows the patient to carry minimal information while accessing comprehensive details through the digital system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions information from a two-dimensional paper format to a multi-dimensional digital system. The machine-readable code on the patch serves as a key that unlocks extensive information stored in a digital database, adding the dimension of electronic storage and retrieval capability beyond physical paper constraints.
3Reliability
If personalized recovery information is made easily accessible, then patient care is improved, but the system requires more complex technology integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system where the machine-readable code on the patch can be scanned by any standard digital device with scanning capability. The database can store and retrieve information for multiple patients and various post-operative care scenarios, making the system broadly applicable without requiring device-specific customization.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical lookup patch, for application to a medical device, includes a substrate having a front, a back, and a perimeter edge defined therebetween. The patch includes an engagement element of a hook-and-loop engagement system on the back of the substrate, for engaging with a complemental engagement element on the medical device. The front of the substrate includes first, second, and third information areas. Brand information is displayed in the first information area, and instructive information is displayed in the second information area. Lookup information is displayed in the third information area and defines a machine-readable code which, when processed by a machine, directs the machine to display human-readable information different from the lookup information.