Wireless Hospital Bed Connectivity for Nurse Call Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hospital beds currently require cumbersome wired connections for data communication with nurse call systems, leading to issues like forgotten unplugging, damage, and disruption of bed status data transmission when moved, and existing systems often require extensive LAN infrastructure installation.

Innovation Solution

Integration of wireless communication circuitry in hospital beds to transmit various bed status data, including location, housekeeping needs, patient weight, and therapy modes, using protocols like 802.11b or 802.11g, allowing wireless communication with healthcare facility networks and enabling seamless data transmission during bed relocation without the need for wired connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections (nurse call cable) are used for data communication, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but the system becomes complex and prone to damage when beds are moved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidconnection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system (nurse call cable plugging/unplugging) with a wireless communication system using radio frequency signals. This substitution eliminates the physical cable that causes complexity and damage risks while maintaining reliable data transmission through electromagnetic fields, allowing beds to be moved freely without connection interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication modules and base stations as intermediary devices that facilitate data transmission between the hospital bed and the nurse call system without requiring direct physical connections. These intermediaries handle the communication protocol and signal transmission, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wired connections are used, then stable communication is maintained, but infrastructure installation becomes extensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the extensive physical wiring infrastructure with wireless communication systems. Instead of installing cables throughout the healthcare facility, wireless base stations and communication modules enable stable communication through radio frequency signals, dramatically reducing installation time and infrastructure requirements while maintaining communication stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used, then ease of bed relocation is improved, but data transmission reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebed relocation easeVSAvoiddata transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses wireless communication to replace mechanical cable connections, enabling free bed relocation without physical disconnection. The wireless system maintains reliable data transmission through continuous radio frequency communication, allowing beds to be moved anywhere within the facility's wireless coverage area without compromising data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If nurse call cables are frequently plugged and unplugged, then bed mobility is enabled, but cable damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebed mobilityVSAvoidcable durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical nurse call cable with a wireless communication system. This substitution completely eliminates the cable that would otherwise be subjected to repeated plugging and unplugging during bed moves. The wireless system provides the same functionality without any physical connection components that could deteriorate from frequent manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3598460B1Wireless bed connectivity

Publication Date: 2021.06.16 HILL ROM SERVICES INC

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AI summary

A hospital bed (22, 342, 362, 364, 366) has a bed frame (48), a mattress (46), and wireless communication circuitry (340, 346, 360) operable to transmit wirelessly bed status data including information regarding at least one feature of the bed frame. The mattress (46) supported by the bed has wireless communication circuitry (340, 346, 360) operable to transmit wirelessly mattress status data. The wireless communication circuitry (340, 346, 360) of the hospital bed (22, 342, 362, 364, 366) and the wireless communication circuitry (340, 346, 360) of the mattress (46) communicate with a network (20, 350, 466) independently. Bed status data received by the network wirelessly from the hospital bed results in a remote computer device (38) of the network sending a message to control a feature of the bed frame based on a state of the at least one feature of the mattress.