Patient Support PCB Data Retention During Board Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern medical devices with multiple printed circuit boards often experience data loss when circuit boards are replaced, leading to the permanent loss of stored data, and existing solutions require manual intervention to retain data, which is inefficient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A medical device system where circuit boards automatically backup and transfer data, allowing for seamless replacement without manual intervention, and can detect and correct corrupted files or file systems, ensuring accurate data retention both locally and remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circuit boards are replaced for maintenance and upgrade purposes, then device reliability and performance are improved, but data stored on the replaced circuit boards is permanently lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data backup by automatically copying data from each circuit board to a central memory unit before the circuit board is replaced. This preliminary action ensures that data is preserved in advance, eliminating permanent data loss when maintenance or upgrades require circuit board replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where data from multiple circuit boards is replicated to a central memory unit. This creates redundant copies of the data, allowing the original circuit boards to be replaced without losing the stored information, as the data exists in duplicate form in the central memory.
2Loss of information
If manual steps are required to retain data during circuit board replacement, then data retention can be achieved, but operational efficiency decreases and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when a circuit board is replaced and autonomously transferring data from the replaced board to the new board or central memory. This eliminates the need for manual intervention by technicians, maintaining data retention while significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the status of circuit boards and detect replacement events. This feedback triggers automatic data transfer operations, ensuring data is retained without requiring manual steps, thereby maintaining both data integrity and operational efficiency.
3Loss of information
If data is automatically transferred between circuit boards, then data retention is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data storage functionality of multiple circuit boards into a single central memory unit. This consolidation simplifies the overall system architecture by creating a centralized data repository that automatically receives data from any circuit board, reducing the complexity of managing distributed data across multiple boards while improving data retention.
4Measurement precision
If corrupted files or file systems are not detected, then system operation remains simple, but data accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor data integrity by detecting corrupted files or file systems during data transfer operations. When corruption is detected, the system automatically responds by retrieving uncorrupted data from alternative sources, thereby maintaining high data accuracy while managing complexity through automated error correction protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, recliner, etc. includes a support deck, one or more lifts, and a plurality of circuit boards. Each circuit board includes an associated controller and memory, as well as a set of data associated with that circuit board. One of the controllers, such as, but not limited to, a main controller is adapted to automatically store a backup copy of the set of data associated with the other circuit boards. This main controller is further adapted to automatically determine if any of the circuit boards, including itself, are replacements of a previously installed circuit board. If so, the main controller uses the backup copy of the corresponding set of data to supply the replacement circuit board with the data from its previous counterpart, thereby ensuring that the historical data from past circuit boards is automatically transferred forward to their replacements.