Patient Support Interface With Adaptive Menus for Caregiver Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional patient support apparatuses have complex user interfaces that make it difficult for caregivers to easily access frequently used functions, and existing systems lack customizable and adaptive user menus to improve operational ease.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a patient support system with a customizable and adaptive user interface that learns user preferences through input signals to prioritize frequently used functions, displaying a customized user menu that highlights these functions for easy access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user interface includes all available functions of the patient support apparatus, then the system provides complete functionality, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into different menu categories (e.g., patient care functions, device settings, alarm configurations) allowing users to access only the relevant functions needed for current patient care activities, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining access to all system capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The user interface dynamically adapts its structure and content based on the current operational context, patient condition, and user role, automatically reorganizing available functions to prioritize frequently used operations and hide less relevant options, thereby simplifying the interface without reducing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user interface displays all functions equally, then all functions are accessible, but frequently used functions are not prioritized and require more effort to access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction accessibilityVSAvoidtime to access functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of usage patterns, patient conditions, and operational context to predict and pre-arrange the most frequently needed functions in prominent positions or default selections, allowing users to access common operations without navigating through multiple menu levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface incorporates feedback mechanisms that track user interactions and adjust the display priority of functions based on actual usage patterns, ensuring that frequently accessed functions become progressively more accessible over time while less used functions are appropriately deprioritized

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12440408B2Patient support systems and methods for assisting caregivers with patient care

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A patient support system for providing customized user menus. The system comprises a patient support apparatus, a user interface configured to receive input from a user, and a display configured to display user menus or information. The user menus may comprise indicia representative of the operational functions of the patient support apparatus. A controller determines the customized user menu based on usage characteristics, a position of the user interface in proximity to the patient support apparatus, a location of the user interface within a facility, an identification of the user, and/or a patient condition. A touchscreen and/or a mobile device may comprise the user interface and the display. The mobile device may be removably coupled to the patient support apparatus. Methods for improving patient care by providing the customized user menu are also disclosed.