Wireless Hand Hygiene Dispenser with Proximity Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Poor hand hygiene compliance is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), with healthcare providers practicing good hand hygiene only between 25-60% of the time, leading to substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic burden.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising sensors and processors to track and improve hand hygiene compliance, including sensors to detect hand hygiene product usage and proximity sensors to monitor user interaction with dispensers, facilitating data collection and reminders for improved compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual monitoring of hand hygiene compliance is used, then system complexity is low, but compliance tracking accuracy and real-time monitoring capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand hygiene compliance tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual observation and paper-based tracking with automated sensor systems including proximity sensors, usage sensors, and wireless communication modules. These electronic systems continuously monitor and record hand hygiene events without human intervention, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser system performs self-monitoring and self-reporting of usage data. Sensors embedded in the dispenser automatically detect when hand hygiene products are dispensed, when hands are approached, and when compliance events occur, eliminating the need for external manual monitoring and achieving accurate tracking with minimal additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If continuous monitoring of hand hygiene compliance is implemented, then compliance improvement effectiveness is enhanced, but energy consumption and operational costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance improvement effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic sensing and monitoring cycles rather than continuous high-power operation. Sensors are activated at intervals or triggered by events (such as when a hand approaches the dispenser), reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective compliance monitoring through strategic periodic data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses low-power wireless communication technologies and energy-efficient sensor designs that consume minimal energy while providing continuous monitoring capability. The system leverages modern low-power microcontrollers and sleep modes to maintain productivity without proportionally increasing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If multiple sensors and processors are deployed for comprehensive tracking, then data collection completeness improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection completenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple sensing functions (proximity detection, usage monitoring, compliance tracking) into a single unified dispenser system with a central processor. This consolidation approach achieves comprehensive data collection completeness while managing device complexity through integrated architecture rather than separate distributed systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser system is designed as a multi-functional platform that simultaneously performs product dispensing, proximity sensing, usage monitoring, compliance tracking, and data communication. This universal design achieves complete data collection across multiple functions without proportionally increasing complexity, as all functions share common hardware and processing resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system effectively enhances hand hygiene compliance by providing real-time tracking and reminders, potentially reducing HAI rates and associated costs.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasound proximity sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS12266256B2System and methods for wireless hand hygiene monitoring

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 GEORGIA TECH RES CORP

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for providing hand hygiene dispenser stations configured to remind users to use the hand hygiene dispenser stations. In one or more embodiments, the present systems and methods provide individual provider identification and networked communication among hand hygiene stations (dispenser stations), enabling tracking of providers and data collection regarding hand hygiene products usage (hand hygiene compliance).