Patient Parameter Trend Display Center-Point Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient monitoring systems often display parameter values in a misleading trend indicative display by automatically allocating values to incorrect time intervals, leading to inaccurate representation of patient medical data.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically selects and displays patient parameter values closest to the center time point of each acquisition interval, while allowing user-entered values to take precedence, ensuring accurate representation of data within user-selectable time intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automatic allocation of parameter values to time intervals is used, then the display process is simplified and automation is improved, but the accuracy and reliability of trend representation deteriorates due to misleading allocations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic allocation of parameter valuesVSAvoidaccuracy of trend representation

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allocating parameter values to time intervals based on conventional rules (before or after interval boundaries), the patent inverts the approach by selecting values based on proximity to the center time point of each interval. This reversal of the allocation logic eliminates the misleading trend representation problem while maintaining automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical allocation system (based on temporal boundaries) with a data-driven selection system that uses time-distance calculation. Instead of rigid interval boundaries, the system calculates which parameter value is closest to the center of each time interval, substituting inflexible mechanical rules with flexible computational selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If parameter values are allocated based on adjacent time intervals, then the display coverage is improved, but the measurement precision of trend data deteriorates due to misleading time representation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay coverageVSAvoidtime interval accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach of allocating values based on interval boundaries to selecting values based on center-point proximity. This ensures that each displayed value accurately represents its corresponding time interval, eliminating the measurement precision error while maintaining comprehensive display coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual parameter entry is allowed, then user control and adaptability are improved, but the reliability of time interval representation deteriorates when manual values are displayed in incorrect intervals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control of parameter entryVSAvoidtime interval accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where manually entered parameter values are evaluated against the automated selection criteria (proximity to center time point). The system provides feedback by comparing manual entries with automatically selected values and resolves conflicts by prioritizing accuracy, ensuring manual values are displayed in the correct time intervals while preserving user control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8286088B2Patient medical parameter trend indicative user interface display system

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 DRAGERWERK AG

AI summary

A system according to invention principles advantageously automatically displays a parameter value within the closest Flowsheet parameter acquisition time interval column. A user interface system provides patient medical parameter data for trend indicative display covering a time period comprising user selectable acquisition time intervals. The system includes an acquisition processor for acquiring, from a patient monitoring device, data representing a patient parameter comprising a plurality of data values at a corresponding plurality of different times within multiple user selectable patient parameter acquisition intervals of a time period. The data processor determines for a particular user selectable acquisition time interval a patient parameter data value closest in time to a center time point of the particular user selected acquisition time interval and excludes other patient parameter data values acquired within the particular user selectable acquisition time interval. A generator generates data representing an image showing a trend indicative display of the patient parameter including the determined patient parameter data value associated with the particular user selectable acquisition time interval and omits the excluded data values.