Patient Monitor Gatekeeper Signal for Sensor Compatibility Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In healthcare settings, improper or incompatible sensors and cables connected to physiological monitoring systems can cause damage or yield false readings, and incomplete electrical connections can lead to faulty data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A gatekeeper electronic signal, generated remotely from the patient monitor, verifies that the sensor and/or cable is compatible and properly attached by using a separate signal, such as an ambient temperature sensor or a simulated signal, ensuring the computer monitor only functions with a correctly connected sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different types of sensors are made available in a healthcare setting, then the versatility and adaptability of the monitoring system is improved, but the risk of incompatible or improper sensors causing damage or false readings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by transmitting a gatekeeper signal through the sensor and cable connection before enabling full monitoring functionality. This advance check confirms compatibility and proper connection, preventing incompatible sensors from causing system damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A gatekeeper signal acts as an intermediary verification mechanism between the monitor and sensor/cable assembly. This separate test signal mediates the compatibility check without interfering with the actual physiological data transmission, allowing the system to safely accept diverse sensor types.
2Productivity
If a sensor and cable are connected to the monitoring system, then physiological data transmission is enabled, but incomplete or faulty electrical connections can lead to inaccurate data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by transmitting a gatekeeper signal through the sensor and cable connection before enabling full monitoring functionality. This advance check confirms proper electrical connection integrity, ensuring reliable data transmission from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitor transmits a gatekeeper signal and receives a response from the sensor-cable assembly to verify connection integrity. This feedback mechanism confirms proper electrical connection before allowing physiological data transmission, preventing inaccurate readings from faulty connections.
3Ease of operation
If sensors and cables are not validated for compatibility with a specific monitoring system, then ease of operation and sensor availability are improved, but the risk of causing damage to the monitoring system or yielding false readings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and cable assembly performs self-verification by responding to the gatekeeper signal transmitted by the monitor. This self-service compatibility check allows healthcare providers to use various sensor types without manual validation, while the system automatically ensures safety and compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A gatekeeper signal acts as an intermediary verification mechanism between the monitor and sensor/cable assembly. This separate test signal mediates the compatibility check without interfering with the actual physiological data transmission, allowing the system to safely accept diverse sensor types.
Data Source
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AI summary
A gatekeeper electronic signal can be generated by a patient sensor and/or in an intermediate device, such as an electrical cable, that is separate from a patient's physiological information electronic signal. The gatekeeper signal can be generated to indicate to a computer monitor that the sensor and/or cable is of the type that is compatible with, and/or usable with, such computer monitor, and/or that the sensor and/or cable is properly attached to the computer monitor. The gatekeeper signal can be created by an ambient temperature sensor on, or in electrical communication with, the patient monitor, and/or the gatekeeper signal can be created by a gatekeeper electronic signal generator to simulate an ambient temperature value. The gatekeeper signal can be separate from an electronic signal or plurality of signals that include patient physiological information, and the gatekeeper signal may not include any patient physiological information.