Protective Window for Medical Device Faceplate Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Barcodes and machine-readable identifiers on medical devices are often damaged or lost due to use and cleaning, making it time-consuming for clinicians to regenerate or create new identifiers, as existing identification methods are costly and prone to destruction.

Innovation Solution

A protective window integrated into a medical device faceplate overlays and protects a machine-readable identifier, allowing it to be visible and readable from the exterior surface, preventing damage from use and cleaning while enabling easy tracking and association with electronic medical records.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a machine-readable identifier is printed on an adhesive label and affixed to a medical device, then the device can be tracked, but the identifier is damaged or destroyed during use and cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentifier durabilityVSAvoiddamage from use and cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective window is separated from the faceplate as a distinct component that can be independently replaced. The window contains the identifier, isolating it from direct exposure to harmful factors during cleaning and use. When the window becomes damaged, only the window needs replacement rather than the entire faceplate or device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective window acts as a pre-positioned protective barrier between the identifier and harmful factors such as cleaning solvents, abrasion, and environmental exposure. This cushioning layer is in place before any damage occurs, preventing direct contact between the identifier and damaging elements during the device lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the machine-readable identifier is placed on the interior surface of the housing, then it is protected from damage, but it is not visible from the exterior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidvisibility of identifier

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The protective window serves as an intermediary element that transmits light and visual information between the interior location of the identifier and the exterior viewing position. The window material allows optical penetration while maintaining the protective barrier, enabling the identifier to be both protected and visible simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves the identifier from a two-dimensional surface on the faceplate to a three-dimensional position within the protective window structure. The identifier is placed on the interior surface of the window, creating a layered arrangement that provides both protection and visibility through the window material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a protective window is integrated into the faceplate, then the identifier is protected and visible, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentifier protection and visibilityVSAvoidfaceplate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective window is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured, installed, and replaced. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the overall system by isolating the protective function into a discrete element rather than integrating it into the faceplate structure itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective window is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component with a shorter service life than the faceplate or device. When the window becomes damaged or obscured, it can be replaced without replacing the entire faceplate or device, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS9848957B2Protective window for medical device faceplates

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 CERNER INNOVATION INC

AI summary

Devices are provided that include a protective window integrated with a faceplate for a medical device. In embodiments, a machine-readable identifier adapted to be affixed to an interior portion of a medical device is viewable via a window of a faceplate. Accordingly, the machine-readable identifier is protected from damage during use of the medical device. And, in embodiments, the machine-readable identifier encodes medical-device identifying information to enable tracking the medical device to which it is affixed. As such, should the faceplate require repair or be changed, the machine-readable identifier remains intact and affixed to the medical device. Further embodiments include a device including a faceplate that has a visual signifier of an interiorly placed radio-frequency identifier.