Ventilator Bi-directional Communication System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ventilators operate with single-direction communication, limiting their functionality and efficiency in data exchange, leading to inefficient workflows in healthcare settings.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a bi-directional communication system that allows ventilators to transmit and receive data wirelessly or via wireline, enabling real-time communication with medical entities and devices, such as healthcare facility networks, handheld devices, and medical devices, for enhanced data management and protocol implementation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If single-direction wireline communication is used in conventional ventilators, then device complexity is reduced, but communication functionality and data exchange efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilator communication system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single bi-directional interface: it enables both outbound data transmission from the ventilator and inbound reception of commands, configurations, and monitoring data. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by achieving versatile communication capability without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bi-directional communication system implements feedback mechanisms where the ventilator not only sends operational data outward but also receives responses, acknowledgments, and control commands from external devices. This feedback loop enhances communication functionality by enabling real-time monitoring and control while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized communication protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If bi-directional communication is implemented, then data exchange efficiency and workflow efficiency improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkflow efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilator's bi-directional communication system is designed to autonomously manage data exchange operations, automatically transmitting operational parameters and receiving control commands without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention. This self-service capability improves workflow efficiency by enabling automatic data synchronization while keeping the system architecture relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system is pre-configured with standardized protocols and data formats that enable immediate bi-directional communication upon connection. This preliminary preparation of communication frameworks allows for efficient data exchange from the outset without requiring complex real-time negotiation or configuration, thus improving productivity while maintaining manageable complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9687618B2Ventilation harm index
Publication Date: 2017.06.27 ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION
  • US9687618B2 patent drawing
  • US9687618B2 patent drawing
  • US9687618B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for generating a ventilation harm index. The method includes accessing data from a plurality of ventilators in operation, analyzing an aggregate of the data, and generating the ventilation harm index based on the analyzed aggregated data.