Modular Intensive Therapy Device Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular intensive therapy devices are primarily suited for stationary use and not suitable for emergency care due to their large size, requiring rewiring and reconnection of patient access probes upon arrival at a hospital, and lack interoperability and remote data transmission capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A compact, modular intensive therapy device with a base module and interchangeable functional modules that can be electrically connected, featuring a display and control unit, power supply, and data processing unit for seamless operation and data transmission via wireless protocols, allowing for continuous patient treatment during transport and inpatient care.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If modular intensive therapy devices are designed with large dimensions to accommodate multiple functional modules, then they provide comprehensive therapy functionality, but they become unsuitable for mobile use and emergency care

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy functionalityVSAvoiddevice dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a base module and separate functional modules that can be independently attached or detached. Each functional module provides specific therapy functions (ventilation, defibrillation, monitoring) that can be selectively combined with the base module, allowing comprehensive functionality while maintaining a compact base unit suitable for mobile use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base module is designed with universal interfaces and a standardized connection system that can accommodate multiple different types of functional modules. This allows a single base module to serve multiple therapy purposes by simply changing the attached functional module, providing versatility without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of moving object

If portable patient monitoring units are used for emergency transport, then they enable mobile patient care, but they lack functional modules for active therapy and require rewiring upon hospital arrival

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidtherapy capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring and therapy functions are segmented into separate attachable modules. The base module contains the monitoring capabilities and universal interfaces, while functional therapy modules can be attached as needed. This segmentation allows the device to function as a portable monitor during transport and as a comprehensive therapy device when functional modules are attached at the hospital.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

All necessary functional modules are pre-configured with standardized connection interfaces that automatically establish electrical connections when attached to the base module. This preliminary design of universal interfaces eliminates the need for rewiring or reconnection of patient access probes when transitioning from emergency transport to inpatient care.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for monitoring and therapy, then they provide specialized functionality, but they create device complexity and require separate monitoring and control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecialized therapy functionsVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate monitoring and therapy devices are merged into a single integrated system. The base module provides common functions (power supply, control interface, data processing, patient monitoring) while functional modules provide specialized therapy functions. This consolidation reduces the number of separate devices needed and simplifies monitoring and control through a single unified interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base module is designed as a universal platform that can interface with multiple different types of functional modules. The standardized connection system and common control interface allow various specialized therapy functions to be accessed through a single device, eliminating the need for multiple separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If stationary intensive therapy devices are used for inpatient treatment, then they provide comprehensive therapy functionality, but they are not suitable for emergency transport and require patient reconnection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy functionalityVSAvoidpatient reconnection requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into a portable base module and functional modules that maintain persistent connections to patient access probes. These connections are established once during initial setup and remain valid across different locations and operational modes, eliminating the need for patient reconnection when transitioning from emergency transport to inpatient care.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The universal interfaces and connection protocols are preliminarily designed to ensure compatibility across all operational scenarios. Patient access probes are connected once using the standardized interface, and the system automatically maintains these connections whether the device is being used for emergency transport or inpatient therapy, preventing the need for reconnection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2833816B1Modular medical appliance
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 KAGAN EUGEN
  • EP2833816B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2833816B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2833816B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular intensive-therapy appliance (1) comprising a base module (10) with a front (100) and a rear (101), and several functional modules (11) which can be operatively connected to the base module (10) and which have a medical intensive-therapy functionality for active therapy of acute disturbances of the vital functions, wherein a display and control unit (102) is arranged in the area of the front (100) of the base module (10), and receiving devices for the functional modules (11) are arranged in the area of the rear (101) of the base module (10), by means of which receiving devices the functional modules (11) can be secured releasably on the base module (10) and can be electrically connected thereto, and the intensive-therapy appliance (1) is designed as a compact unit that can be carried by hand.