Patient support apparatuses with dynamic control panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient care devices often have control panels that are not easily understood, especially when conditions change, leading to user confusion and potential misuse or safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus with a control panel that automatically adapts by disabling or enabling controls and changing backlight illumination based on the device's configuration and power state, ensuring users understand the changing functionality and safety settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control panel provides all controls for all possible configurations, then the device is versatile and can perform all functions, but the control panel becomes complex and difficult for users to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel dynamically adapts its displayed controls and backlighting based on the current configuration state of the patient support apparatus. When a specific configuration is detected, the system enables only the controls relevant to that configuration and illuminates only those controls with backlighting, while disabling and darkening controls for other configurations. This dynamic adjustment maintains versatility while reducing perceived complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the control panel displays all available controls, then users have access to all functions, but users become confused when conditions change and controls become irrelevant
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses backlighting as a visual indicator to show users which controls are currently relevant and enabled. When a configuration change occurs, the control panel changes the illumination state of specific controls - illuminating enabled controls and darkening disabled controls. This provides immediate visual feedback about control relevance without requiring users to understand the underlying configuration logic.
3Ease of operation
If the system provides visual feedback about control availability, then users understand which controls to use, but the system requires additional components like backlights
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel merges the control indicators with the backlighting system into a single integrated component. The backlighting serves dual purposes: it provides necessary illumination for the control panel in dark environments and simultaneously serves as a visual indicator of control availability and relevance. This integration eliminates the need for separate indicator lights or displays, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective visual feedback.
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
The adaptive control system enhances user understanding and safety by dynamically adjusting the control panel's functionality and appearance according to the device's state, preventing misuse and ensuring safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
The first backlight provides backlighting for the first control and the second backlight provides backlighting for the second control
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, recliner, operating table, stretcher, or the like, includes a control panel with multiple controls for controlling functions of the patient support apparatus. A control system disables at least a first control and changes an illumination state of a backlight when the patient support apparatus is in a particular state. In some embodiments, the particular state is the arming of an exit detection system and/or the deactivation of a brake on the patient support apparatus. The particular state may also or alternatively be tied to a particular mode of the patient support apparatus, such as a diagnostic mode, a maintenance mode, and/or a normal mode. The control system may also never illuminate a first icon on the patient support apparatus if it was initially configured in a particular manner, such as being intended for sale in a particular geographic market.