Patient Care Device Interface Sharing External Medical Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many patient care devices lack user interfaces or have interfaces that are difficult to use, limiting their operability and data display capabilities, especially when interacting with external medical devices.
Innovation Solution
Patient care devices are equipped with user interfaces that can share screen space and control functions with external devices, allowing them to act as proxy interfaces, even if the external devices do not have their own interfaces, through automatic software updates and communication via USB or wireless ports, enabling standardized control and data display across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If patient care devices are equipped with user interfaces, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient care device's user interface is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a native interface for controlling the patient care device itself and as a proxy interface for controlling external medical devices. This multi-functionality allows a single interface to replace what would otherwise require separate interfaces on multiple devices, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface acts as an intermediary between the user and external medical devices that lack their own user interfaces. The interface includes software components that translate user commands into device-specific protocols, enabling control of external devices through a standardized interface without requiring each external device to have its own complex interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If patient care devices share user interfaces with external devices, then adaptability is improved, but software complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface software is designed to dynamically adapt its behavior based on which external device is connected. The system automatically detects the connected device type and configures the interface accordingly, loading appropriate device-specific protocols and control options. This dynamic adaptation allows the interface to support multiple device types without requiring static support for all possible configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface software changes its operational parameters based on the connected external device. Different device types trigger different software configurations, including varying communication protocols, control commands, and display layouts. This parameter-based adaptation allows a single interface to serve multiple purposes while maintaining manageable software complexity through systematic configuration management.
3Reliability
If automatic software updates are implemented, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic software update checks rather than continuous updates. The control system automatically checks for software updates at predetermined intervals or under specific conditions (such as when the device is idle or connected to power). This periodic approach maintains software reliability by ensuring updates occur regularly while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding constant communication and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Patient care devices, including beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, chairs, thermal control systems, and IV poles, include a user interface for controlling an aspect of the patient care device, a port for communicating with an external device, and a control system. The control system determines when an external device is communicating with the port, what type of device the external device is, and if the patient care device includes software for allowing the user interface to act as a user interface of the external device. In some embodiments, the control system receives a device type identifier when an external device is coupled to the port, selects a software module for communicating with the coupled external device, and uses the selected software module for communicating with the coupled external device. Multiple external devices may be connected to the port and display data on a display of the patient care device.