Patient Monitoring Assembly With Reusable ECG and Reversible Cuff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient monitoring systems face challenges in efficiently and reliably collecting and analyzing physiological parameters, particularly in environments where multiple sensors and devices are used, often requiring complex cable connections and lacking flexibility in orientation and compatibility.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrocardiogram (ECG) device with a disposable and reusable portion that mechanically and electrically mate, along with a blood pressure monitor and cuff design that allows symmetrical attachment and fluid communication regardless of orientation, and a cradle system for securing monitoring devices, enhancing compatibility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and devices are used to collect physiological parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to complex cable connections
Solution Approach 1:
The ECG device is divided into a disposable portion (base with electrodes and cables) and a reusable portion (cover with processing equipment). This segmentation allows the complex cable connections to be isolated in the disposable portion, which can be easily replaced, while the reusable portion maintains consistent connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base with cables and external ECG electrodes is designed as a disposable portion that can be easily replaced. This allows the complex cable connection system to be discarded after use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If sensors are attached to patient and connected using cables, then reliability of signal transmission is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome connections
Solution Approach 1:
The base, cables, and external ECG electrodes are combined into a single disposable portion that attaches to the patient as one unit. This merging simplifies the attachment process while maintaining reliable signal transmission through the integrated cable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The cables are pre-connected to the base and external ECG electrodes during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex cable connections during patient attachment, improving ease of operation while ensuring reliable signal transmission.
3Ease of manufacture
If disposable portion is used for base with electrodes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of substance increases due to single-use design
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into disposable (base with electrodes) and reusable (cover with processing equipment) portions. This segmentation allows the complex parts to be manufactured once and reused, reducing material loss while maintaining ease of manufacture for the disposable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable portion (base with cables and electrodes) is discarded after use, while the reusable portion (cover with processing equipment) is recovered and reused. This approach balances ease of manufacture with reduced material loss by preserving valuable components.
Data Source
AI summary
Various patient monitoring systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for monitoring physiological parameters of a patient. A noninvasive blood pressure monitor can include an inflatable cuff, a pressure transducer, an air pump, and a plurality of air paths connecting the inflatable cuff, the pressure transducer, and the air pump. The monitor can also include an acoustic filter provided along at least one of the air paths. In some cases, the monitor can include first and second air pumps, as well as a processor to independently control operating characteristics of the air pumps. The processor can also control the air pumps so as to provide a first inflation rate for the inflatable cuff during a non-measurement portion of an inflation phase and a second, higher inflation rate during a measurement portion of the inflation phase.