Wireless Relay Module Emergency Call Functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical monitoring systems face challenges in securing reliable local area network access for centralized monitoring, particularly when patients are remotely located, leading to delays and signal interference in critical care settings, and caregivers may not react promptly due to insufficient communication.
Innovation Solution
A wireless relay module that enables emergency call functionality by receiving medical device data over a wireless relay network and transmitting it to an internet-accessible network, using a controller to determine emergency conditions and establish connections with responders, while also providing location information and storing relevant data for monitoring trends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If WiFi network is used for centralized monitoring, then local area network access is available, but it is difficult to secure sufficient access and reliability when patients are remotely located
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular network as an intermediary communication path between remote patients and centralized monitoring facilities. When WiFi or other local networks are unavailable, the system automatically routes data through cellular networks, ensuring continuous reliable communication regardless of location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects communication networks based on availability and reliability requirements. It can switch between WiFi, cellular, and other networks in real-time, adapting to changing network conditions and patient locations to maintain optimal communication.
2Use of energy by moving object
If ZIGBEE network is used for medical device communication, then power requirements are low and network is dynamically configurable, but transmission range is limited to several hundred feet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into two segments: ZIGBEE for short-range, low-power device-to-gateway communication, and cellular/WiFi for long-range gateway-to-facility communication. This segmentation allows each protocol to operate in its optimal range while achieving overall long-distance coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
A gateway device serves as an intermediary between ZIGBEE medical devices and long-range networks. The gateway receives data from low-power ZIGBEE devices and forwards it through cellular or WiFi networks to centralized facilities, extending the effective range without increasing device power consumption.
3Reliability
If data is transmitted over local networks, then communication can be established, but delay and signal interference prevent fast communication of critical health conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors network conditions, signal quality, and transmission delays. When degradation is detected, it automatically switches to alternative networks with better performance, ensuring optimal transmission speed for time-critical medical data.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system dynamically adjusts its path selection based on real-time network conditions. It can rapidly switch between WiFi, cellular, and other networks to maintain the fastest possible transmission path for critical alert data.
4Ease of operation
If traditional local area network facilities are used for remote patient monitoring, then network access is available, but access is unavailable or not sufficiently reliable when patients are located remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is designed to operate across multiple network types (WiFi, cellular, ZIGBEE, satellite). This multi-functionality ensures that the system can access networks universally regardless of location, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability in remote areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses cellular networks and satellite communication as intermediaries to bridge the gap between remote patients and centralized facilities when traditional local networks are unavailable, ensuring continuous reliable access.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for networked communications between a series of medical devices, wireless relay modules, and a remote device wireless relay network and an internet-accessible wireless communication network. At least one relay module includes a receiver, a first transmitter coupled to the wireless relay network, a second transmitter coupled to the internet-accessible wireless communication network, and a controller. The controller determines whether the internet- accessible wireless communications network is accessible. If accessible, then medical device data is transmitted to a remote device over that network using the second transmitter. If not accessible, then the first transmitter is used to transmit medical device data to another wireless relay module over the wireless relay network. Additionally, the controller analyzes the medical device data to determine whether an emergency condition exists, and transmits the medical device data to an emergency responder if such condition occurs together with location data for an associated medical device.