Medical Mesh Network Auto-Joining for Secure Patient-Room Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in hospital settings is the efficient association of people and devices with patients, leading to security and information management issues, increased caregiver burden, and delayed responses due to the high number of medical devices per room.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network system using smart outlets and medical devices connected via wired electric cords, allowing automatic connection and communication, with integration to a real-time location system (RTLS) for device and caregiver tracking, enabling localized information exchange and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple medical devices are deployed in patient rooms, then patient monitoring capability is improved, but device association and information coordination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic device association through self-service mechanisms. When a medical device is plugged into a smart outlet, it automatically joins the mesh network and begins communicating with the RTLS and other devices without requiring manual configuration or caregiver intervention. This resolves the complexity of device association while maintaining reliable patient monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the mesh network infrastructure with smart outlets before devices are deployed. Devices are pre-configured with communication modules and automatically integrate upon connection, eliminating the need for complex post-deployment association procedures.
2Loss of information
If manual device association is used, then information coordination is achieved, but caregiver burden increases and response time delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual information coordination by implementing self-service automatic association. Devices automatically register with the RTLS, join the mesh network, and begin exchanging information without caregiver involvement, reducing both caregiver burden and response time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where devices automatically report their status, location, and operational data to the central system and peer devices. This automatic information coordination eliminates the need for manual tracking and ensures real-time awareness without increasing caregiver workload.
3Productivity
If automatic mesh network connection is implemented, then device integration speed is improved, but network security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automatic authentication and registration. When a device connects to the mesh network through a smart outlet, it automatically authenticates with the RTLS and receives appropriate access credentials without manual security configuration, maintaining fast integration while ensuring security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces the RTLS and smart outlet as intermediary authentication authorities. These intermediaries verify device identities, manage access control lists, and mediate secure communication between devices, enabling automatic connection while maintaining robust security protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for the automatic addition and removal of medical devices to a localized area network such as a mesh network and the detection of tagged devices and caregivers entering and leaving a patient area. Detection of medical devices and caregivers may trigger the execution of predefined workflows by the devices connected to the localized area network. Recognition and initiation of actions may be based in part on the presence of a localized area network of devices plugged into smart outlets.