RF Position Detection for Automatic Vital Sign Sensor Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient support apparatuses require manual steps to associate vital sign sensors with patients and to display vital sign readings, which increases labor and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus equipped with transceivers and a controller that uses RF communication to automatically detect and associate vital sign sensors with patients based on relative position, and to send data to display devices only if they are within a predetermined volume of space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual steps are used to associate vital sign sensors with patients and display readings, then system simplicity is maintained, but labor increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus automatically detects the relative position of vital sign sensors and display devices using RF communication between transceivers, and autonomously associates sensors with patients and transfers data without requiring manual intervention from caregivers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physically connecting cables, manually selecting patients) with automated RF-based wireless communication and position detection systems
2Ease of operation
If automatic position detection is implemented, then labor is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-association by automatically detecting the relative position of vital sign sensors and display devices through RF communication, eliminating the need for manual association operations
Solution Approach 2:
The RF transceiver system serves multiple functions including position detection, device identification, and data transmission control, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function
3Productivity
If data is sent to all display devices, then data availability is maximized, but unnecessary data transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback about the relative position of display devices through RF communication and uses this information to determine whether to transmit data, enabling conditional data transfer based on actual device location
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of universally sending data to all possible display devices, the system applies partial action by selectively transmitting data only to display devices that are detected to be within the predetermined volume of space
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
Automatically reduces the labor associated with reading, recording, and displaying vital sign data by eliminating the need for manual association and data transfer, improving efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The controller is adapted to use radio frequency (RF) communication between the first, second, and third transceivers and a fixed locator positioned off-board the patient support apparatus to determine a position of the fixed locator relative to the patient support apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient includes first, second, and third transceivers mounted at first, second, and third locations, respectively. A controller is adapted to use radio frequency communication between the first, second, and third transceivers and a first device—such as a display device, a fixed locator, and/or a vital sign sensor—to determine a position of the first device relative to the patient support apparatus. The controller is further adapted to send data to a display device if the first device is positioned inside a predetermined volume of space, and to not send the data to the display device if the first device is positioned outside of the predetermined volume of space. The patient support apparatus may also selectively accept and communicate with a removable cartridge that includes a vital sign port adapted to receive a plug of a cable from a vital sign sensor.