NFC Data Transfer Between Dialysis Machines and Weight Scales
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face inefficiencies and errors in exchanging patient data, such as weight measurements, between peripheral devices and dialysis machines, leading to potential harm and workflow interruptions, and existing wireless communication methods like Bluetooth can be impractical due to distance and misidentification issues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function wireless device capable of establishing short-range wireless connections, such as NFC, to facilitate data transfer between medical devices like weight scales and dialysis machines, reducing the need for costly patient cards and minimizing human error by automating data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data transfer methods (writing down weight) are used, then data can be transferred between devices, but errors occur and workflow is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data transfer (writing down weight on paper) with automated electronic data transfer through wireless communication between the scale and dialysis machine. The scale automatically transmits weight data to the dialysis machine, eliminating manual intervention and reducing errors while improving workflow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (wireless communication protocol and data transfer interface) between the scale and dialysis machine to facilitate automatic data exchange. This intermediary enables reliable data transfer without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between data accuracy and workflow efficiency
2Ease of operation
If Bluetooth wireless communication is used, then data transfer is automated, but distance and misidentification problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication parameter from Bluetooth (longer range, potential misidentification) to NFC (short-range, highly reliable). By modifying the wireless communication parameter to use NFC technology, the system achieves both automated data transfer and reliable connection, as NFC requires close proximity which prevents misidentification and ensures accurate device pairing
3Reliability
If encrypted patient ID cards are used, then data security is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the dialysis machine multi-functional by integrating both data reception and wireless communication capabilities into a single device. The dialysis machine can directly receive and process weight data from the scale via NFC, eliminating the need for separate card readers and encrypted ID cards, thus reducing hardware complexity while maintaining data security through automated encrypted wireless transmission
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices and peripheral devices can be configured to wirelessly communicate with each other and other devices through a connection between the devices. Peripheral devices may include weight scales, blood pressure monitors and/or other medical components that may be used in connection with measuring patient information related to a medical treatment by a medical device, such as a dialysis treatment performed by a dialysis machine. A medical function/data transfer device according to the system described herein may include multi-function capabilities to provide for a medical monitoring or treatment function as well as a data transfer function for transferring data between interconnected medical devices.