Patient Support UWB Routing for Caregiver Device Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support apparatuses require manual steps to match user devices with intended recipients, making it cumbersome to route data such as phone calls and texts to the correct caregivers, especially when devices are added or used with different patients and apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus system that utilizes ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers to automatically route data from user devices like cell phones and tablets to intended destinations by determining proximity and positioning, using a controller to forward data to a healthcare facility network only when the device is within a specific distance of the apparatus and a fixed locator unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual matching steps are used to associate user devices with recipients, then system complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic device matching and data routing without requiring manual intervention. The controller automatically detects user devices, determines their proximity to the patient support apparatus, and routes data to the correct recipients based on pre-established associations, eliminating the need for manual matching steps
Solution Approach 2:
User devices are pre-associated with recipient identifiers before use. The system stores these associations in advance, so when a user device is brought near the patient support apparatus, the matching process is immediately resolved without requiring real-time manual configuration
2Productivity
If automatic routing based on proximity is implemented, then productivity is improved through seamless data delivery, but device complexity increases due to UWB transceivers and positioning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (physically plugging devices, manually configuring connections) with wireless electromagnetic communication. UWB transceivers enable automatic wireless identification and data routing based on proximity, eliminating the need for physical device manipulation and manual system configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between user devices and the healthcare facility network. It receives data from user devices, determines proximity using UWB communication, and automatically routes data to the appropriate recipients through the network, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the added complexity of proximity detection
3Ease of operation
If data is routed automatically without distance verification, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential misrouting to incorrect recipients
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the proximity between user devices and the patient support apparatus using UWB transceivers. This feedback mechanism ensures that data is only routed when the device is within the appropriate distance threshold, preventing misrouting while maintaining automatic operation. The controller adjusts data routing decisions based on real-time proximity 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
Enables automatic and seamless data routing to caregivers without manual matching, ensuring efficient communication and data delivery to the correct recipients, enhancing patient-caregiver interaction.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a user device
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus includes a patient support surface, at least one UWB transceiver, a network transceiver, and a controller. The controller is adapted to perform the following: use UWB communication between the UWB transceiver and a user device to determine if the user device is positioned within a first distance of the patient support apparatus, to forward data from the user device to a server if the user device is positioned within the first distance of the patient support apparatus, and to not do so if the user device is positioned outside of the first distance of the patient support apparatus. The user device may include a microphone and the data may include audio signals from a patient's voice. The UWB transceiver may require detecting the presence of a locator unit prior to forwarding the data from the user device to the server.