Medical Workstation Phase Transition Detection and Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patient treatment workstations, such as those in anesthesia and intensive care, require manual and time-consuming adjustments during phase transitions, leading to potential safety risks due to neglected settings and human error, especially under stress, and lack standardized procedures for consistent operation.

Innovation Solution

A device that detects treatment phases and transitions, sending signals to adjust settings automatically or inform users, with a display for phase identification, selection of future phases, and a data bank for standardized operating procedures to minimize human interaction and ensure safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustments are made during phase transitions, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption increases and safety risks arise due to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidtime for phase transition adjustments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures phase transition templates with all necessary parameter adjustments before the transition occurs. When a phase transition is detected or initiated, the pre-configured settings are automatically applied, eliminating the need for manual adjustments during the critical transition period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The workstation automatically detects phase transitions through monitoring patient parameters and treatment device states, then self-adjusts the relevant settings without requiring operator intervention. The system serves itself by identifying when transitions occur and executing the appropriate configuration changes autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustments are made during phase transitions, then specific patient needs can be addressed, but safety risks increase due to neglected settings and human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization for patient needsVSAvoidsafety during phase transitions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors patient parameters, device states, and treatment progress to detect phase transitions. This feedback loop ensures that the workstation remains aware of the current treatment phase and automatically applies appropriate settings, reducing reliance on manual operator judgment and minimizing safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Comprehensive phase transition templates are pre-configured with all necessary parameter adjustments for each treatment phase. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a transition occurs, all safety-critical settings are automatically applied correctly and completely, preventing neglected adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated phase transition detection is implemented, then time consumption is reduced and safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of phase transition handlingVSAvoidautomation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The phase transition detection system leverages existing multi-functional components already present in the workstation, such as patient monitors, device controllers, and communication interfaces. By making these existing components serve the additional function of phase transition detection, the system avoids adding dedicated complex detection hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines phase transition detection, template management, and automatic parameter adjustment functions into an integrated workflow. The detection logic is merged with the existing control architecture, and the adjustment execution uses the same communication channels and interfaces already established for manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If comprehensive phase transition templates are created, then completeness of adjustments is improved, but device complexity and setup effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of phase adjustmentsVSAvoidtemplate system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Phase transition templates are segmented into modular components, with each template containing only the specific parameter adjustments relevant to that particular phase transition. This segmentation allows templates to be created independently and combined as needed, reducing the complexity of managing comprehensive transition protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Templates are pre-configured during system setup or by experts, capturing all necessary adjustments for each phase transition scenario. This preliminary action ensures completeness without requiring complex real-time decision-making during actual transitions, as the adjustment sequences are already validated and stored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9826931B2Medical workstation with integrated support of process steps

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 DRAGERWERK AG

AI summary

A device (13) is provided for use with a treatment device for treating a patient. The device (13) includes a detection device (17) for detecting at least one transition of the patient's treatment from a first phase of treatment to a second phase of treatment. A signal device (25) for sending at least one signal when the transition is detected. It proposes, furthermore, a workstation equipped herewith.