Thermal Therapy Interface With Role-Based Screens and Session Analytics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal control systems lack an efficient user interface that adapts to different user types and provides tailored information, making thermal therapy sessions less efficient and more complex for multiple personnel involved.
Innovation Solution
A thermal control unit with a user interface that displays customized screens based on user type, incorporates past statistical data, and generates post-session reports, enhancing user interaction and data visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single unified user interface is used for all user types, then the interface structure remains simple, but the usability and information relevance deteriorate for different user roles
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface dynamically adapts its content and layout based on the detected user type. The system automatically switches between different interface configurations (simplified for nurses, detailed for clinicians, technical for service personnel) without requiring manual selection, making the interface both user-friendly and role-appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the interface are optimized for different user roles. Each user type receives a customized view with relevant controls and information displayed prominently, while other elements are minimized or hidden. This allows each user group to interact with only the features pertinent to their responsibilities.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive information is displayed for all users, then information completeness is maintained, but information overload and complexity increase for simple user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The information display is segmented into multiple levels of detail corresponding to different user roles. Nurses see essential patient status and basic controls, clinicians access detailed physiological data and advanced settings, and service personnel view technical system information. This segmentation ensures each user receives appropriate information without overload.
Solution Approach 2:
Different information quality and detail levels are provided to different user types based on their expertise and needs. The interface delivers comprehensive information to experts while providing simplified summaries to general users, optimizing information clarity for each user group.
3Duration of action of moving object
If thermal therapy sessions are extended for many hours or days, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but user fatigue and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal control system operates autonomously during extended therapy sessions, automatically monitoring patient temperature, adjusting fluid flow and heat exchange parameters, and maintaining therapy without continuous manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces user fatigue while sustaining effective therapy over many hours or days.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors patient response and system parameters, providing real-time feedback to automatically adjust therapy delivery. This closed-loop control ensures optimal therapy effectiveness throughout extended sessions without requiring constant user attention or manual adjustments.
4Reliability
If multiple personnel interact with the thermal control unit during a session, then care coordination is improved, but interface confusion and operational errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface dynamically adapts to the identity and role of each user who interacts with the system. When different personnel (nurses, clinicians, service staff) access the unit, the interface automatically configures itself to provide role-appropriate controls and information, ensuring consistency and reducing confusion across multiple users.
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
Facilitates easier and more efficient thermal therapy sessions by providing user-specific information and historical data analysis, improving usability and therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger is adapted to add or remove heat from the fluid circulating in the circulation channel
Implementation Method 2
The pump circulates the fluid through the circulation channel from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet
Implementation Method 3
The fluid temperature sensor is adapted to sense a temperature of the fluid
Implementation Method 4
The patient temperature sensor port is adapted to receive patient temperature readings from a patient temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid back, a pump, a heat exchanger, a controller for controlling the heat exchanger, a patient temperature port for receiving patient temperature readings, a memory, and a user interface that displays various data regarding thermal therapy sessions applied to patients using the thermal control unit. In some embodiments, past statistical data from previous thermal therapy sessions is stored in the memory and the controller displays a comparison of a current parameter of the current thermal therapy session to the past statistical data. The controller may also or alternatively automatically select a particular type of screen to display based on a type of user of the thermal control unit. The controller may also or alternatively generate after-session thermal therapy reports.