Optical Detector for Patient Support Apparatus Data Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient support apparatuses require multiple button presses or keystrokes to input information, increasing caregiver time and introducing potential errors due to the complexity of user interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A patient support apparatus equipped with an optical detector, such as a barcode reader, secured to a siderail, which communicates data linked with a unique identifier and date to a network, allowing for efficient data entry and reducing errors through a control system that includes a processor, transmitter, and memory unit, and a user interface with a display for prompt responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple button presses or keystrokes are used for data entry, then information can be input into the control system, but the amount of time a caregiver spends at the patient support apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry accuracyVSAvoidcaregiver time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with an optical scanning system. The optical detector (barcode reader) uses optical fields to read patient identifiers, eliminating the need for manual button presses and keystrokes. This substitution directly reduces caregiver time while maintaining data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service data entry by automatically capturing patient information through barcode scanning. The optical detector autonomously reads the barcode and transmits data to the control system without requiring manual data input, allowing caregivers to quickly enter information with a single scan action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If multiple button presses or keystrokes are used for data entry, then information can be input into the control system, but mistakes are introduced more frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface simplicityVSAvoiddata entry accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the error-prone mechanical keyboard/button system with an optical recognition system. The optical detector automatically reads barcodes and converts them to digital data, eliminating manual typing errors and button-pressing mistakes while simplifying the user interface to a single scan action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an optical copy of the patient identifier through barcode scanning. Instead of manually entering data, the optical detector captures the visual information from the barcode and transmits it to the control system, ensuring accurate replication of the original data without human error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If a simple optical detection system is used, then data entry speed increases, but the system must be integrated with existing hospital networks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry speedVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the optical detector with the patient support apparatus control system. The optical detector is integrated into the existing control system architecture, allowing seamless communication and data transmission to hospital networks through the existing transmitter and processor, thereby managing integration complexity while maintaining high data entry speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both the optical detection input and network communication. The processor and transmitter components serve multiple purposes: processing optical detector signals, managing data storage, and communicating with hospital networks, thereby reducing overall system complexity through component multi-use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Streamlines data entry by using optical detection to reduce the number of user inputs required, minimizing errors and enhancing efficiency in communicating patient and caregiver information to hospital systems, thereby improving operational speed and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The optical detector may be secured to the barrier and may be configured to detect indicia having a predetermined pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9016563B2Optical detector at point of care

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 HILL ROM SERVICES INC

AI summary

A patient support apparatus including a barrier, an optical detector, and a control system. The optical detector secured to the barrier and configured to detect indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system includes a processor in communication with the optical detector, a transmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory unit in communication with the processor. The memory unit stores a unique identifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processor receiving a signal from the optical detector indicative of data detected by the optical detector and performing a set of instructions in response to the optical detector communicating the data, the set of instructions performed by the processor including (i) linking the data with the unique identifier, and (ii) communicating the linked data and unique identifier to a network.