Patient Monitoring Interface With Cycling Modifier Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical device interfaces often become complex due to the large amount of data displayed, making it difficult to navigate and select specific monitored values and parameters, especially when limited space is available on the display.

Innovation Solution

A patient monitoring interface with a home screen featuring multiple monitoring regions, each with a modifier display subregion and a modifier screen that allows cycling through parameters and parameter settings using indicators, reducing the number of selections required to access all available options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple parameters and settings are displayed on the interface, then information completeness is improved, but navigation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidnavigation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into multiple monitoring regions, each dedicated to a specific parameter type (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, temperature). Each region contains its own modifier display subregion and parameter selection regions, allowing independent navigation and configuration without overwhelming the user with a single complex menu structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface adds a hierarchical dimension by introducing modifier display subregions within monitoring regions, and parameter selection regions with cycling subregions. This multi-level structure allows comprehensive parameter display while maintaining simple navigation through structured access paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If cycling through parameters is enabled, then accessibility to all parameters is improved, but navigation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter accessibilityVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The interface pre-organizes parameters into structured groups within monitoring regions and parameter selection regions. Required parameter settings are pre-positioned in the interface hierarchy, allowing users to access them through predictable, minimal navigation steps rather than searching through unstructured lists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Each monitoring region has localized parameter selection capabilities with its own cycling subregions, allowing users to access parameters locally within each functional area rather than navigating through a global menu. This reduces navigation time by keeping related parameters physically close in the interface layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3246835B1Medical device with enhanced user interface controls
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 WELCH ALLYN INC
  • EP3246835B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3246835B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3246835B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A patient monitoring interface of a medical device includes a modifier screen including parameter selection regions having a predetermined size. At least one of the plurality of parameter selection regions includes parameter setting option subregions. A total set of parameter setting options includes a default subset of parameter setting options and a secondary subset of parameter setting options. In a primary display mode, the parameter selection region displays the default subset of parameter setting options in the predetermined number of parameter setting option subregions and an indicator region, with the secondary subset of parameter setting options not displayed. The indicator region is selectable to cause display of one or more of the secondary subset of parameter setting options in one or more of the parameter setting option subregions in place of a corresponding one or more of the default subset of parameter setting options.