Nurse Call Audio Management in Patient Support Apparatuses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hospital beds face complexity in designing products that interface with nurse call systems due to control over half-duplex audio communication channels, which complicates the integration of separate microphones and speakers, and the differentiation between nurse call and television audio signals.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a switch controller within the patient support apparatus that can switch between microphone and speaker channels on the nurse call audio channel, using signals from nurse call light, answer light, and talk switches to control the switch state, and employing audio detectors to distinguish between nurse call and television audio signals, allowing for independent control of audio communication directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the nurse call system controls the half-duplex audio communication channel, then the system can manage audio directionality and content, but the design complexity of the patient support apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a switch controller as an intermediary device that mediates between the nurse call system and the audio components (microphone and speaker). This switch controller automatically manages the half-duplex communication channel by detecting audio signals and switching between microphone and speaker modes, thereby reducing the control burden on the nurse call system while maintaining proper audio communication functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a separate microphone and speaker are integrated into the patient support apparatus, then independent audio control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch controller serves as an intermediary that manages the interaction between the separate microphone and speaker components. It automatically detects which component should be active based on the communication state and switches the audio channel accordingly, allowing independent microphones and speakers to work together without requiring complex manual coordination or control wiring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the audio channel is used for both nurse call communication and television audio transmission, then the system is versatile, but the ability to distinguish between different audio sources becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The switch controller performs preliminary detection of audio signals to determine their source before routing them through the audio channel. By detecting characteristics of incoming audio signals and determining whether they originate from the nurse call system or television, the controller can proactively switch to the appropriate mode, preventing confusion before it occurs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the nurse call system controls the switch for audio transmission, then centralized control is maintained, but the design and maintenance of the bed becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The switch controller is designed to autonomously manage audio channel switching without requiring direct control signals from the nurse call system. It independently detects audio signals, determines the appropriate mode, and switches components accordingly, thereby maintaining centralized audio functionality while simplifying the bed's design and reducing the control interface requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a support surface for supporting a patient, and a nurse call interface adapted to provide an interface between a bed and a wall-mounted nurse call outlet having a plurality of pins to thereby allow a patient supported on the bed to communicate with a remotely positioned nurse. The nurse call interface coordinates the duplex signals of the bed's microphone and speaker with the half duplex nurse audio signals from the nurse call system. More particularly, the interface includes a nurse call audio channel communicatively coupled to first and second audio pins of the plurality of pins of the nurse call outlet, a bed microphone channel to a bed microphone, a bed speaker channel to a bed speaker, and a switch controller adapted to selectively connect the nurse call audio channel to the bed microphone channel or to the bed speaker channel.