Modular Medical System with Universal Docking for Continuous Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable defibrillator/monitors require frequent lead changes when transporting high-acuity patients, disrupting continuous monitoring and increasing the risk of errors during emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A modular medical system that allows a portable patient monitor to selectively dock with both bedside patient monitors and therapy applicators, maintaining continuous patient parameter measurement and electrical therapy delivery without the need for lead detachment and reattachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable defibrillator/monitor is used for patient transport, then electrical therapy delivery capability is provided, but frequent lead changes are required disrupting continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The portable patient monitor is designed to interface with both bedside patient monitors and therapy applicators through a common docking mechanism. This universal interface allows the same monitor to maintain continuous monitoring whether docked with a bedside monitor during transport or with a therapy applicator for electrical therapy delivery, eliminating the need for lead changes between different devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If leads are detached and reattached during patient transport, then different monitoring devices can be used, but error risk increases and monitoring continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The docking mechanism is pre-configured with complementary interfaces on the portable patient monitor and docking stations. The patient leads remain permanently connected to the portable monitor, which is then quickly docked with the appropriate station (bedside monitor or therapy applicator). This preliminary setup eliminates the need for lead detachment and reattachment, reducing operational complexity and error risk.
3Weight of moving object
If a portable patient monitor is made small and light for easy handling, then portability is improved, but integration with therapy delivery systems becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy electrical components and high-energy therapy delivery capabilities are extracted from the portable patient monitor and placed in separate therapy applicator units. The portable monitor retains only the lightweight monitoring functions, while the therapy applicators house the defibrillator and cardioverter components. This separation allows the monitor to remain small and portable while still integrating with therapy delivery systems through the docking interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular medical system employing a bedside patient monitor (20), a portable patient monitor (40), a monitor docking station (50), a therapy applicator (30) and a therapy docking station (60). In operation, the portable patient monitor (40) is docked to the bedside patient via the monitor docking station (50) whereby the bedside patient monitor (20) and the portable patient monitor (40) measure patient parameters (e.g., ECG, Sp O2, pulse rate, NIBP, Et CO2, etc.) upon the portable patient monitor (40) being coupled to a patient. Alternatively, the portable patient monitor (40) is docked to the therapy applicator (30) via the therapy docking station (60) whereby the therapy applicator (30) conditionally delivers the electrical therapy (e.g., defibrillation shock, synchronized conversion, transcutaneous pacing, etc.) to the patient upon the portable patient monitor (40) being coupled to the patient.