Self-Laminating Wristband Assembly for Emergency Patient Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency medical situations, such as those during disasters, require a rapid and reliable method to identify patients and their belongings, which is challenging due to chaotic environments, the need for quick triage, and the difficulty in communicating patient information to families, especially under conditions where medical personnel are under time pressure and wearing protective gear.
Innovation Solution
A self-laminating wristband/label assembly with a cinch mechanism, pre-printed with identifying information, including bar codes, that can be easily applied to patients and their possessions, allowing for quick data collection and transmission, even in hostile environments, and facilitating the assembly of information into a common database for family notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard forms are used in emergency situations, then the form structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ease of operation deteriorates because medical personnel cannot easily handle them with gloves and time pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The form is divided into multiple detachable components including a wristband portion, a body portion, and separate labels. This segmentation allows each component to be independently handled and applied, making the overall system easier to operate in emergency situations where time and dexterity are limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The form components are pre-assembled in a carrier sheet with pre-positioned elements. The wristband, body portion, and labels are arranged in advance on the carrier, eliminating the need for on-site assembly and allowing medical personnel to simply detach and apply the pre-configured components.
2Reliability
If detailed identifying information is collected, then the reliability of patient identification improves, but the time required for data collection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The form includes pre-printed fields and pre-positioned labels that guide medical personnel on exactly what information to collect and where to place it. This preliminary structuring of data collection requirements eliminates delays in determining what information is needed and how to record it.
Solution Approach 2:
The form uses barcode technology and standardized identifier fields that can be quickly scanned or read, providing a rapid method of capturing patient identification information. The barcode wristband and label create durable, quick-reading copies of identifying information that can be processed rapidly.
3Reliability
If protective clothing is worn by medical personnel, then personal safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The form is designed with separate, modular components that can be independently manipulated and applied. The wristband, body portion, and labels can be handled separately, reducing the dexterity requirements compared to manipulating a single complex form structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The form includes self-adhering components and intuitive design features that allow medical personnel to apply the form with minimal effort and without requiring fine motor skills. The detachable design enables one-handed operation and simplifies the application process even when wearing protective gear.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple labels are provided on the form, then the adaptability to different patient needs improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple labels are provided as separate, detachable components on the carrier sheet rather than being integrated into a single complex structure. This allows the form to accommodate different patient needs through label selection while maintaining relatively simple individual label designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The form design provides universal applicability through standardized fields, barcode structures, and a modular label system that can be adapted to various patient conditions and identification needs. The same basic form structure serves multiple purposes across different emergency scenarios.
Data Source
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AI summary
A business form particularly adapted for generalized use, although it may be used in a medical or hospital environment includes a roll or continuous construction of a plurality of wristbands, with each wristband being separately formed in a panel comprised of an underlying continuous carrier of a laminating material with a series of face stock patches placed therealong. Each wristband is provided with a face stock imaging area die cut into each face stock patch and a laminating portion die cut into the underlying carrier of laminating material, with the two die cut portions being adhered to each other to form a matrix for ready separation from its panel. The laminating portion has a first area for receiving the face stock portion and a second similarly sized and shaped area for fold over lamination of the first area and face stock portion, along with a pair of straps extending to the opposing sides thereof.