Patient Monitoring Hub Layout for Multi-Device Data Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current patient monitoring environment is chaotic due to the lack of interoperability among diverse medical devices from different manufacturers, leading to fragmented data entry and potential caregiver distraction, which can be detrimental, especially in critical care settings.
Innovation Solution
A medical device cable and patient monitoring hub system that enables the connection and data sharing among various medical devices, using a board-in-cable device with a hardware processor to calculate and communicate physiological parameters, generate a wellness index, and override display settings, thereby centralizing patient data and simplifying caregiver workflows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate medical devices from different manufacturers are used to service a patient, then each device can perform its specialized monitoring or treatment function, but the caregiver environment becomes scattered with multiple displays and alarms leading to a chaotic experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate medical device displays and control interfaces into a single unified patient monitoring system. The hub device aggregates data from various sensors and medical devices, presenting them through one centralized display interface, thereby eliminating the scattered multiple displays that created chaos in the caregiver environment while maintaining the specialized monitoring capabilities of each connected device
Solution Approach 2:
The patient monitoring hub is designed as a universal platform capable of interfacing with and displaying data from multiple different types of medical devices and sensors simultaneously. It provides a multi-functional solution that can monitor various physiological parameters (ECG, SpO2, respiratory rate, etc.) through a single system, replacing the need for multiple manufacturer-specific devices while maintaining adaptability to service a wide variety of monitoring endeavors
2Adaptability or versatility
If each medical device has its own control, display, and alarms, then each device can be independently configured and operated, but patient information entry occurs at each device and data must be printed and stored on paper for caregiver review
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple independent device functions into a single integrated platform where patient information is entered once at the hub and automatically associated with all connected devices. Data from all sensors is centralized in one location, eliminating the need to repeatedly enter the same patient information at each separate device and removing the need to print and store paper records for review
Solution Approach 2:
The patient monitoring hub acts as an intermediary between various medical devices and the caregiver. It receives data from multiple independent devices, processes and standardizes the information, and presents it in a unified format. This intermediary role eliminates the need for direct interaction with each individual device, reducing the time required for information entry and retrieval while maintaining device independence
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-monitor devices or modularly expandable devices are used to increase monitoring capabilities, then the variety of monitoring endeavors can be expanded, but such devices begin to be obsolete the moment they are installed as medical device technology expands
Solution Approach 1:
The patient monitoring hub is designed as a universal platform with open architecture that can interface with current and future medical devices. It supports multiple protocols and communication standards, allowing it to adapt to new device technologies as they emerge. This universal design enables the system to expand its monitoring capabilities without becoming obsolete, as it can integrate new devices and sensors as medical device technology advances
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic configuration capabilities where the hub can automatically detect and adapt to newly connected devices. The monitoring capabilities are not fixed but can be dynamically expanded by connecting additional sensors and devices. This dynamic nature allows the system to evolve with medical technology advancements, preventing obsolescence by enabling continuous adaptation to new monitoring requirements and device types
Data Source
AI summary
A patient monitoring hub can communicate bidirectionally with external devices such as a board-in-cable or a dongle. Medical data can be communicated from the patient monitoring hub to the external devices to cause the external devices to initiate actions. For example, an external device can perform calculations based on data received from the patient monitoring hub, or take other actions (for example, creating a new patient profile, resetting baseline values for algorithms, calibrating algorithms, etc.). The external device can also communicate display characteristics associated with its data to the monitoring hub. The monitoring hub can calculate a set of options for combined layouts corresponding to different external devices or parameters. A display option may be selected for arranging a display screen estate on the monitoring hub.