Body Worn Sensor Network Redundant Parameter Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vital sign sensors often generate false alarms due to sensor malfunctions or loss of connection, leading to increased stress and delayed responses in medical emergencies, especially when multiple sensors are used for monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A system of independently operating sensors that assess signal quality and prioritize data streams to reduce false alarms by selecting the most reliable sensor data for output, using a grading function and data structure to coordinate alarm functions and synchronize data streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to monitor the same physiological parameter, then reliability of monitoring is improved through redundancy, but the likelihood of false alarms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary signal quality assessment and grading for each sensor data stream before making the final selection. By evaluating signal quality metrics in advance and assigning grades to each sensor, the system proactively identifies and eliminates potential false alarm sources before they trigger incorrect patient alerts, thus maintaining monitoring reliability while reducing false alarms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordination function that acts as a mediator between multiple independent sensors and the final alarm output. This coordination function receives data from multiple sensors, applies signal quality grading, and determines the single best data stream to use for alarm generation. The intermediary layer reconciles the conflicting goals by selectively combining information from multiple sensors while suppressing false alarm propagation.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors operate independently to provide redundant monitoring, then operational status coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor node independently performs signal quality self-assessment and self-grading without requiring centralized coordination for the grading process itself. The sensors autonomously evaluate their own operational status and signal quality, then report these grades to the coordination function. This self-service approach reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for complex inter-sensor communication protocols while maintaining comprehensive operational status coverage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If signal quality grading is performed occasionally rather than continuously, then energy consumption is reduced, but responsiveness to signal quality changes is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic signal quality grading at predetermined time intervals instead of continuous monitoring. This periodic assessment approach significantly reduces energy consumption by keeping the grading function dormant between intervals. The system is designed so that the periodic grading frequency is sufficient to detect clinically relevant signal quality changes while minimizing energy expenditure, achieving an optimal balance between power efficiency and responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Each sensor of a plurality of sensors operates independently to perform at least a monitoring function acquiring sensor data indicative of a common physiological parameter and a grading function performed occasionally to assign a current signal quality grade for the sensor that is indicative of operational status of the monitoring function of the sensor. A data structure stores information pertaining to the plurality of sensors including at least priorities of the plurality of sensors respective to the common physiological parameter and the current signal quality grades for the sensors. Each sensor further operates to perform at least one output function generating an output signal conditional upon content of the data structure including at least the priorities and the current signal quality grades of the sensors indicating the output function should be performed.