Mobile Medical Machine With Docking Station for Flexible Home Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulky medical devices like hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis machines require specific facilities for setup, limiting storage options and increasing the risk of loss or inconvenience when used frequently at various locations within a residence.
Innovation Solution
A two-part medical system comprising a stationary docking station and a mobile machine that navigates to and from a docking station for recharging, refilling, and waste management, allowing storage in isolated areas and treatment at desired locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical devices are made bulky to reduce loss risk, then device security improves, but storage flexibility and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two segments: a stationary docking station that remains in a fixed location with proper facilities, and a mobile machine that can be moved to different locations. This segmentation allows the functional components to be separated, enabling the mobile unit to be compact while the stationary unit provides stable infrastructure support.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station acts as an intermediary between the mobile machine and the building infrastructure (plumbing, electrical systems). It provides the necessary connections and facilities to the mobile machine when docked, allowing the mobile machine to access required resources without having permanent connections, thus maintaining both security and flexibility.
2Reliability
If medical devices require specific facilities for setup, then operational reliability improves, but storage location options deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the facility-dependent components (docking station with plumbing and electrical connections) from the mobile treatment unit, the system allows operational reliability to be maintained at the stationary location while the mobile unit can be transported to and stored in various locations throughout the residence.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves as an intermediary that interfaces between the building's fixed infrastructure and the mobile machine. It provides necessary utilities (water, electricity, drainage) to the mobile machine during treatment sessions, enabling reliable operation without requiring the mobile machine itself to have permanent facility connections.
3Reliability
If medical devices are stored in isolated locations for security, then loss risk reduces, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station can be placed in an isolated or utility area for security and infrastructure access, while the mobile machine can be freely moved to convenient locations near the user during treatment sessions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both security and convenience simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile machine provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be moved from the stationary docking station to various locations throughout the residence based on user needs. This dynamic mobility enables the system to adapt between secure storage and convenient accessibility as required.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A computer-implemented medical system is provided. The system includes a docking station and a mobile machine. The system is configured to perform operations comprising: receiving, by the mobile machine and from a user, a request to transport the mobile machine to a target location to perform a medical treatment; automatically navigating the mobile machine to the target location; performing, by the mobile machine, the medical treatment on a patient; determining, by the mobile machine, that the medical treatment is completed and the mobile machine is disconnected from the patient; automatically navigating the mobile machine to a stationary docking station of the medical system; and determining that the mobile machine is connected to the docking station through one or more connectors, and in response, receiving, by the mobile machine, at least one of an electrical charge, a refill of one or more supplies, a cleaning, or a drain of waste.