Remote Anesthesia Pump Interface for Supervision Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The inefficiency in utilizing highly skilled anesthesiologists' time and resources due to the need for close supervision of automatic anesthesiology equipment, which can lead to gaps in supervision during emergencies, especially when anesthesiologists are occupied with one task.

Innovation Solution

An automatic anesthesiology delivery device that dynamically determines a confidence level in patient data and anesthesiologist availability, providing real-time monitoring and tailored alerts through a remote communication device, allowing for flexible supervision and ensuring effective oversight, even when the anesthesiologist is not immediately available.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If close supervision of automatic anesthesiology equipment is required, then patient safety is improved, but anesthesiologist mobility and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidanesthesiologist productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a remote interface that replicates the functionality of the pump's display and controls, allowing the anesthesiologist to monitor and interact with the system from a distance. This copying of the user interface enables supervision without physical proximity, resolving the contradiction between safety monitoring and mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The remote interface acts as an intermediary between the anesthesiologist and the automatic pump, transmitting visual and alert information wirelessly. This intermediary system enables the anesthesiologist to maintain awareness of patient status and pump operation without being tethered to the equipment, thus improving productivity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If immediate availability of anesthesiologist is assumed for supervision, then patient safety is improved, but efficiency of utilizing anesthesiologist time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupervision availabilityVSAvoidanesthesiologist time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides different levels of monitoring intensity based on local conditions - the anesthesiologist receives tailored alerts and information based on their current availability and the specific patient needs. This localized adaptation of supervision quality allows efficient use of anesthesiologist time while maintaining appropriate safety oversight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial supervision through selective alerting, where the anesthesiologist is notified only of significant events or changes in patient status rather than continuously monitoring all parameters. This partial action approach maintains safety while reducing the time burden on the anesthesiologist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If anesthesiologist is occupied with one task, then specialization efficiency is improved, but supervision coverage of other devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask execution efficiencyVSAvoidsupervision coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The remote interface system provides universal monitoring capabilities that can track multiple patients and devices simultaneously through a single interface. This multi-functionality allows the anesthesiologist to maintain supervision coverage across multiple devices while remaining occupied with specific tasks, resolving the contradiction between task efficiency and supervision coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3207951B1Automatic anesthesiology pump allowing improved anesthesiologist mobility
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 ZYNO MEDICAL LLC
  • EP3207951B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3207951B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3207951B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An anesthesiology pump for automatic delivery and control of anesthetics to a patient provides a remote unit that may be carried by an anesthesiologist to improve supervision of the anesthesiology process without unnecessarily constraining the anesthesiologist's movement. The anesthesiology pump may assess one or both of a status of the anesthesiology procedure and the availability of the anesthesiologist to provide tailored alerts to the anesthesiologist when additional attention or availability may be needed. Availability may consider separation distance between the pump and the radiologist as well as express indications of availability. A set of predefined safe states permit a pump response when the anesthesiologist is not available and additional attention is required.