Physiological Sensor Reconnection Monitoring for Data Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accessory devices used in medical monitoring become disconnected from portable medical devices during patient transport, leading to a loss of physiological measurement data and potential failure to identify serious medical conditions.

Innovation Solution

Accessory devices are equipped with an on-board power source and a connection status indicator that allows them to continue monitoring and storing data even when disconnected, and to reconnect and transmit data to the medical device upon reconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If accessory devices are removably connected to portable medical devices, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but reliability and data continuity deteriorate when disconnection occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoiddata continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory device performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring physiological parameters and storing data in its onboard memory even when disconnected from the portable medical device. This ensures that measurement data is preserved and can be transmitted later when reconnected, preventing data loss during transport or temporary disconnection events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If accessory devices remain connected to portable medical devices, then data continuity is improved, but adaptability and ease of transport deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata continuityVSAvoidtransport flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory device serves itself by incorporating an onboard power source that independently powers the monitoring and data storage functions. This self-sufficiency allows the device to operate autonomously during disconnection periods, maintaining data collection capabilities without requiring continuous connection to the portable medical device for power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Duration of action of stationary object

If accessory devices use onboard power sources, then independence and monitoring continuity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring durationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection interface serves multiple functions: it provides power supply when connected, enables data transmission, and acts as a charging port for the onboard power source. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining extended monitoring capability through the onboard power source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250392085A1Managing disconnected accessory devices during monitoring

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

An example method includes outputting, by a connection status indicator disposed on a physiological sensor, a user-interpretable signal when the physiological sensor is communicatively disconnected from a medical device; detecting, by the physiological sensor, a physiological parameter of a subject; and outputting, by the physiological sensor to the medical device, data indicating the physiological parameter when the physiological sensor is communicatively connected to the medical device.