Wireless Sensor Patient Association via Location Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless patient monitoring systems face challenges in accurately associating wireless sensors with the correct patients due to the lack of visual cues from cables, leading to potential misconnection and incorrect data association, especially in environments where multiple patients are being monitored simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a processor to determine the location of wireless sensors and patients through patient location devices, such as beacons and cameras, and compares these locations to patient models to associate physiological data accurately, eliminating the need for manual registration and providing a graphical interface for monitoring and confirming associations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless sensors are used to eliminate cables, then ease of operation and productivity are improved, but the ability to visually confirm proper connection between sensor and patient is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of device managementVSAvoidvisual connection confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary visual indicators (LED lights, display screens) that mediate between the wireless sensor and the patient monitoring system. These indicators provide visual confirmation of proper connection and patient identity without requiring physical cables, thus resolving the contradiction between wireless operation ease and visual connection confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with wireless communication systems augmented by visual indicators. The visual indicators substitute for the visual cues previously provided by cable connections, eliminating mechanical constraints while preserving the information function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple patients are monitored simultaneously with wireless sensors, then productivity and patient care efficiency are improved, but the risk of misassociation between sensor data and correct patient increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient monitoring efficiencyVSAvoiddata-patient association accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing unique visual identifiers (different colored LEDs, patient-specific display information) for each patient-sensor association. This allows healthcare providers to quickly distinguish and confirm the correct patient-sensor pairing in multi-patient environments, maintaining reliability while enabling simultaneous monitoring of multiple patients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes in visual indicators (such as different colored LED lights) to encode patient identity or association status. This enables rapid visual differentiation between multiple patients being monitored simultaneously, reducing the risk of misassociation while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Loss of time

If manual registration of wireless sensors to patients is eliminated, then time consumption and complexity of setup are reduced, but the risk of incorrect association increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetup timeVSAvoidassociation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling wireless sensors to automatically associate with the correct patient through visual indicator feedback. The system autonomously establishes and confirms associations without requiring manual registration, reducing setup time while maintaining reliability through automated verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback loops where visual indicators provide real-time confirmation of successful sensor-patient association. This automated feedback mechanism ensures correct association without manual intervention, eliminating setup time delays while preventing incorrect associations through immediate visual verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11246485B2System and method of monitoring association between wireless sensors and a monitored patient

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods of wireless sensing of physiological data includes obtaining physiological data from a patient with a wireless sensor. A patient location device determines a location of the patient. A location of the wireless sensor is obtained. The physiological data from the wireless sensor is associated to the patient based upon a determined proximity of the location of the wireless sensor to the location of the patient.