Programmable Medical Device Platform Consolidating Multiple Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices are often specialized, infrequently used, and difficult to maintain or upgrade, leading to inefficiencies in space usage and functionality, as they are designed for specific tasks and lack interoperability.
Innovation Solution
A programmable platform medical device system that includes a patient sensor interface, processor, and communications interface, allowing for the implementation of multiple medical devices via software configuration, with a Patient Server to process and filter clinically significant data from various sensors and effectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized medical devices are used for specific functions, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a programmable medical device platform that can perform multiple medical functions through software configuration rather than requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function. The device includes a processor, memory, and various interfaces that can be programmed to implement different medical device functions, allowing one physical device to replace multiple specialized devices while maintaining measurement precision through software-based signal processing and analysis
2Reliability
If dedicated hardware is used for each medical function, then reliability is improved, but adaptability and ease of upgrade are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic, reconfigurable system where the device functionality is determined by programmable software rather than fixed hardware. The memory contains executable instructions that can be updated and reconfigured to change device behavior, allowing the system to adapt to new medical requirements while maintaining reliable operation through consistent hardware foundations and rigorous software testing protocols
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized devices are deployed, then functionality is improved, but maintenance difficulty and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple medical device functions into a single integrated platform, combining sensors, processors, memory, and communication interfaces into one maintainable system. This unified architecture reduces the total number of devices requiring maintenance while preserving diverse medical functionalities, and simplifies repair efforts by providing a single point of contact for system-wide maintenance rather than requiring specialized knowledge for multiple separate devices
4Adaptability or versatility
If general purpose devices are used, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision and reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies specialized signal processing, filtering, and analysis algorithms specifically tailored for each medical measurement function within the programmable platform. While the hardware platform is general-purpose, the software implementation includes function-specific optimizations and medical-grade processing routines that ensure measurement precision comparable to dedicated devices, with each medical function receiving appropriate local quality enhancements
Data Source
AI summary
A patient data capture and processing system that comprises general programmable medical device (GPMD) and a patient medical device controller (PPS). The patient server is configured to program the function data store of the GPMD, and obtain the data acquired by the GPMD, via the communications connection, wherein the data is stored in patient data records, and wherein the patient server is further configured to extract and output clinically significant events.