Pulse Oximetry Monitor Time Tracking for Skin Irritation Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pulse oximetry sensors face challenges in secure attachment to patients, leading to measurement disruptions due to movement or detachment, and frequent site changes are difficult for nursing staff to manage, potentially causing skin irritation and prolonged measurement times.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a time measuring unit in pulse oximetry monitors to automatically track the application time of sensors, with 'on' and 'off' signals indicating application and removal, and triggering alarms for site changes after preset times to prevent prolonged use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pulse oximetry sensors are securely attached to patients using clamping mechanisms, then measurement reliability is improved, but skin irritation and circulatory disorders occur at the application site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidskin irritation and circulatory disorders

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically tracking the application time of the sensor and issuing warnings before harmful effects occur. The time tracking unit continuously monitors how long the sensor has been applied, and the output unit provides periodic reminders to change the application site, preventing skin irritation and circulatory disorders before they manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If pulse oximetry sensors are securely attached to patients using adhesive strips, then measurement reliability is improved, but local burns to the skin occur due to permanent irradiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidlocal burns to the skin

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If nursing staff manually monitor and change sensor application sites, then skin irritation is prevented, but measurement time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin irritation preventionVSAvoidnursing staff productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically tracking the sensor application time and generating reminders without requiring continuous manual monitoring by nursing staff. The time tracking unit autonomously records the application duration, and the output unit automatically provides warnings when the predetermined time limit is reached, freeing nursing staff to focus on patient care while ensuring timely sensor changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the sensor application time and providing periodic reminders to nursing staff. The time tracking unit feeds back the elapsed time information, and when the predetermined time limit is reached, the output unit provides feedback in the form of visual or audible warnings, enabling timely sensor changes without constant manual oversight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Object-affected harmful factors

If sensor application site is changed frequently, then skin irritation is prevented, but measurement disruptions increase due to reattachment time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin irritation preventionVSAvoidmeasurement disruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by tracking the sensor application time and issuing warnings before the optimal removal time is reached. This ensures sensors are changed at the right moment - not too early (avoiding unnecessary disruptions) and not too late (preventing skin irritation), thereby minimizing measurement disruptions while preventing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures timely and secure sensor attachment, reducing the risk of skin irritation and measurement disruptions by automatically tracking and alerting for site changes, thus maintaining accurate oxygen saturation monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor radiates light into the patient's tissue and the reflected or transmitted signal is used to determine the oxygen saturation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption and transmission: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

light-emitting diodes and photodetectors are used for this

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2756800B1Pulse oximetry monitor

Publication Date: 2022.06.29 ENVITEC WISMAR

AI summary

The monitor has an input unit for inputting signals from a pulse oximetry sensor, and an evaluation unit for evaluation of the input signals. The evaluation unit comprises a time measurement unit that measures time starting from receiving of an on-signal to receiving of an off-signal. The evaluation unit comprises a recognition unit, and an output unit optically or acoustically outputs the time measured by the measurement unit, where time measurement is carried out independent of on or off-state of the output unit. A memory unit stores the measured time. The output unit is designed as a visual display.