Patient Support Apparatus Location and Secure Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient support apparatuses lack efficient methods to automatically determine the relative position of nearby devices and securely communicate with them, especially in healthcare settings, where precise locationing and authentication are crucial for patient care and device integration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plurality of locator nodes with location transceivers and controllers, synchronized over an embedded network, to determine device positions using ultra-wideband technology, and implementing encryption and authentication protocols based on device identification and location for secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple locator nodes are deployed to determine device positions, then location precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus is divided into multiple locator nodes distributed throughout the structure. Each node independently performs location measurements using ultra-wideband transceivers, and the control system aggregates results from multiple nodes to calculate precise device positions. This segmentation enables high measurement precision without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded network serves as an intermediary communication infrastructure that connects all locator nodes and the control system. It enables time-synchronized data exchange between distributed nodes, allowing them to coordinate location measurements and share computational results, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual nodes while maintaining overall system precision.
2Measurement precision
If time synchronization is implemented across locator nodes, then location determination accuracy is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded network implements time synchronization through periodic transmission of synchronization messages between the control system and locator nodes. Rather than continuous synchronization, the system uses periodic updates to maintain time alignment, which significantly reduces energy consumption while preserving location determination accuracy during the measurement interval.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains time synchronization as a continuous state through periodic message exchange, ensuring that location measurements remain accurate throughout the operational period. The synchronization mechanism operates continuously at low intensity through periodic pulses, maintaining the useful action of time alignment without requiring continuous high-energy transmission.
3Reliability
If selective encryption is implemented based on device identification and location, then communication security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies different encryption treatments to different communication channels based on local characteristics. Communications with devices identified as potentially compromised or located in restricted zones trigger encryption, while other communications may proceed unencrypted. This selective approach enhances security where needed without uniformly increasing complexity across all communication paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The encryption policy is dynamic rather than static, adapting to device identification results and location data in real-time. The control system evaluates each communication attempt and adjusts encryption requirements accordingly, allowing the system to respond to changing security threats without implementing complex encryption mechanisms for all communications under normal conditions.
4Reliability
If authentication analysis is performed for all devices, then system security is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs authentication analysis selectively rather than universally. Devices that meet certain criteria (such as unknown devices, devices in restricted locations, or devices with suspicious identification patterns) undergo full authentication procedures, while trusted devices may bypass authentication or receive reduced verification. This partial action approach maintains security for critical cases without imposing the time cost of full authentication on all device interactions.
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
Enables precise location determination and secure communication between patient support apparatuses and nearby devices, enhancing patient care by ensuring accurate device integration and data privacy.
Implementation Method 1
the locator nodes communicate with device using ultra-wideband technology
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient communicates wirelessly with one or more devices and determines the relative position of the device(s) with respect to the patient support apparatus. A control system onboard the patient support apparatus receives identification data from the device(s) and uses the identification data to perform an authentication analysis of the device. Based on the authentication analysis, the control system determines an authorization level for the device and transmits different types of data to the device based on the authorization level. A plurality of locator nodes may be included on the patient support apparatus that are linked together by an embedded network. Synchronization messages are passed between the locator nodes over the embedded network to ensure the locator nodes have synchronized time. The authentication analysis and/or the use of encrypted communications may be based on the identity of the device and/or its location.