Portable Critical Care Unit for Patient Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current self-contained medical care devices, such as the SMEED, are cumbersome, obstruct access to patients, and inefficient in terms of space and weight, making them unsuitable for portable emergency medical support during transport.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, portable critical care unit that integrates patient monitoring and treatment devices, allows for remote communication with medical professionals, and is adaptable to fit various litter sizes, providing over 80% patient accessibility and redundancy for equipment failure backup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large metal bracket (SMEED) is mounted to the stretcher to support multiple life support devices, then the patient can receive comprehensive medical support, but the bracket obstructs access to the patient and is heavy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the medical support functions into separate, lightweight modules that can be independently positioned and accessed. Instead of one large bracket, multiple smaller device holders are distributed around the patient, allowing clinicians to access different devices from different sides without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional bracket mounted on the stretcher frame to a three-dimensional arrangement of devices positioned around the patient at multiple heights and locations. This spatial distribution eliminates obstruction while maintaining comprehensive medical support capability.
2Reliability
If the SMEED is loaded with multiple respiratory support and monitoring devices, then the patient receives comprehensive care, but the space consumption and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection protocols that allow a single lightweight holder to accommodate multiple different types of medical devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate heavy brackets for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the weight parameter by transitioning from heavy metal bracket construction to lightweight materials such as carbon fiber or aluminum alloys, while maintaining structural integrity through optimized geometric designs and strategic positioning.
3Reliability
If the SMEED is used to mount life support devices, then the patient can be monitored and treated, but the positioning is inefficient and does not provide equal optimal access to each device
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns specific devices to specific locations based on their function and the clinical priorities for access. Critical devices are positioned at heights and locations that optimize access by the specific team members who need to interact with them most frequently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable mounting positions that can be dynamically adapted to different patient sizes, different clinical scenarios, and different team configurations. This dynamic positioning optimizes access efficiency for each specific situation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring and treating a patient on route to a medical facility are disclosed. The system comprises a critical care unit; at least one patient monitoring device coupled to the critical care unit, wherein the critical care unit obtains physiological data about the patient from each patient monitoring device; at least one patient treatment device coupled to the critical care unit, wherein the critical care unit provides treatment instructions to each patient treatment device; a two way communications device coupled to the critical care unit; and a remote communications terminal in communication with the two way communications device. The critical care unit preferably sends the physiological data to the remote communications terminal and receives the treatment instructions from the remote communications terminal via the two way communications device.