Patient Support UI With One-Touch Exit Detection Arming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional patient support apparatuses require complex user interfaces that necessitate multiple button presses and control activations, making them difficult to operate for caregivers.

Innovation Solution

A patient support apparatus with a user interface featuring navigation controls that simultaneously navigate to a function screen and automatically implement the desired function, using either patient-customized or preset settings, thereby simplifying the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional user interfaces with multiple buttons and controls are used, then comprehensive control functions are available, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines navigation and activation functions into a single control mechanism. The navigation control simultaneously performs both navigation to the desired function screen and activation of that function, eliminating the need for separate buttons for each operation. This merging of controls directly reduces the complexity of the user interface while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation control is designed to perform multiple functions: it navigates to different control screens, automatically activates the corresponding function, and can serve as both a selection and execution control. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of controls needed while preserving full operational capability across all system functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple button presses and control activations are required, then precise control over functions is achieved, but the time required for operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically navigating to the appropriate control screen and activating the desired function in response to a single navigation control input. This eliminates the need for the user to perform subsequent activation steps, effectively performing multiple actions (navigation + activation) based on a single user input, thereby reducing operational time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual implementation of each function is required, then customization flexibility is maintained, but the operational workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational workloadVSAvoidcustomization flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service by automatically implementing functions based on navigation control activation. When the user navigates to a function, the system automatically executes it without requiring manual activation, thereby reducing operational workload. The system maintains adaptability by allowing users to customize settings while automatically applying those preferences during function execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4464255B1Patient support apparatus with improved user interface
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 STRYKER CORP
  • EP4464255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4464255B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4464255B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, or the like, includes an exit detection system and/or a monitoring system that monitors a set of conditions of the patient support apparatus. A user interface of the exit detection system includes a first navigation control for navigating to a control screen for the exit detection system and a second navigation control for navigating to a control screen for the monitoring system. Each navigation control also functions as an automatic arming control, thereby causing the respective exit detection system and monitoring system to be armed. In this manner, a single touch of a navigation control implements the dual function of automatically arming the corresponding system and taking the user to a control screen for the corresponding system. The automatically armed system is armed using one or more preset settings or one or more settings customized to a particular patient.