Medical Pump Interface Vertical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical fluid pumps of different types in a system often have uncoordinated displays and operating elements, leading to confusion and potential incorrect operation during use.
Innovation Solution
The medical pump system aligns the displays and operating elements of different types of fluid pumps, such as syringe and peristaltic pumps, vertically when combined, ensuring identical functions are on the same vertical line, with integrated displays, function keys, and status LEDs, and includes a membrane keypad for operating elements to prevent confusion and improve usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid pumps of different types are used in a pump system, then the system can handle diverse fluid conveyance needs, but the displays and operating elements become uncoordinated causing confusion and potential incorrect operation
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into modular pump units, each with its own display and operating elements. This segmentation allows each pump type to maintain its specialized functionality while the overall system benefits from coordinated design through the holding device that aligns all displays and operating elements vertically.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device serves multiple functions: it mechanically supports multiple pump types, provides electrical connections to all pumps, and crucially, aligns the displays and operating elements of different pump types in a coordinated vertical arrangement. This universal design enables diverse pump functionality while maintaining uniform user interface positioning.
2Device complexity
If displays and operating elements are integrated into the pump housing, then the design is compact and cohesive, but the user interface becomes difficult to access and compare across multiple pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device introduces a vertical spatial dimension to the arrangement of pump interfaces. By stacking pumps vertically and aligning their displays and operating elements along a vertical axis, the system transforms the interface access problem from a horizontal comparison task into a vertical alignment that is easier to access and compare across multiple pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device acts as an intermediary structure between the individual pump units and the user. It provides the alignment function that coordinates the interfaces of multiple pumps, making them accessible and comparable without requiring the pumps themselves to be modified beyond their integrated design.
3Ease of operation
If separate function keys are provided next to the display, then operating elements are easily accessible, but the risk of incorrect actuation increases when multiple pumps are used
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device creates equipotential positioning for all operating elements of the same function across different pumps. By aligning function keys with identical functions at the same vertical positions, the system ensures that users interact with equivalent controls in consistent locations, reducing the cognitive load and error risk associated with operating multiple different pump types.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical pump system includes at least one medical fluid pump of a first type and at least one medical fluid pump of a second type. The medical fluid pumps can be assembled or arranged vertically, with one of the medical fluid pumps positioned above the other. Each medical fluid pump has a movable front flap with an integrated display and operating elements. The medical fluid pumps can be directly connected to one another in a vertical arrangement, or arranged in a vertical arrangement with the aid of a carrying or holding device. When the medical fluid pumps are vertically arranged, the displays and operating elements of the respective medical fluid pumps are aligned vertically.