Optical Sensor Display for Patient Monitor Identity Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless patient monitoring systems face challenges in correctly associating patient physiological data with the right patient due to the risk of operator errors with manual input devices, high costs and bulkiness of barcode readers, and the expense of RFID techniques, leading to time-consuming and error-prone pairing procedures when devices need to be reconnected across different locations.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a wireless patient monitoring device with a visual identification and an optical sensor for automatic identity input, allowing the data reception device to capture and process this visual identification to securely and efficiently pair with the correct patient monitoring device, reducing the need for manual entry and minimizing device size and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual keyboard input is used for entering device identity, then the data reception device can receive and process identification data, but operator errors occur leading to incorrect patient association

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentity input processVSAvoidpatient association accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical keyboard input system with an optical scanning system. The optical sensor captures visual identification (barcode/QR code) and converts it to electrical signals for processing, eliminating manual typing and associated errors while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual identification (barcode or QR code) as a copy of the device identity. Instead of manually entering the identity, the system captures an optical copy of the identification pattern and processes it to retrieve the unique device identifier, ensuring accurate patient association.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If barcode readers are used for automatic identity input, then operator errors are reduced, but the device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient association accuracyVSAvoiddata reception device size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display screen serve multiple functions: it displays patient physiological data and also functions as an optical sensor for capturing barcodes/QR codes. This eliminates the need for separate barcode reader hardware, reducing device volume while maintaining automatic identity input capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the optical sensing function into the existing display screen. The display screen is adapted to capture optical patterns (barcodes/QR codes) in addition to its primary display function, combining two functions into a single component and reducing overall device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If RFID techniques are used for device identification, then automatic pairing is achieved, but the cost of the wireless patient monitoring device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing processVSAvoiddevice production cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive visual identification patterns (barcodes or QR codes) printed on the wireless patient monitoring device instead of expensive RFID tags. These optical identifiers can be mass-produced at minimal cost while still enabling automatic identification and pairing through optical scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If visual identification with optical sensor is used, then device pairing is simplified and cost-effective, but requires the device to capture and process optical patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice pairing processVSAvoidoptical processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

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

This solution provides a safe, user-friendly, and cost-effective method for entering patient monitoring device identities, reducing the risk of errors and enabling seamless data transmission across different locations without the need for expensive RFID technology, enhancing the efficiency and mobility of patient monitoring systems.

Implementation Method 1

the identity input device comprises an optical sensor for retrieving the visual identification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9918637B2System and method for monitoring patient physiological data

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A system for monitoring patient physiological data is disclosed herein. The system comprises a wireless patient monitoring device with a known device identity having a first sensor for retrieving patient physiological data, and a data reception device comprising a processor for processing data received via a wireless communication protocol from the patient monitoring device and a memory for storing the known patient monitoring device identity, the memory being connected to an identity input device for entering the known patient monitoring device identity. The data reception device can receive and process identification data to obtain a patient monitoring device identity and to compare said identity with the stored known identity. When the identity matches, the data reception device is allowed to receive and process the retrieved patient physiological data. The patient monitoring device comprises a visual identification and the identity input device comprises an optical sensor for retrieving the visual identification.