title: Challenges in designing a multi-function patient monitor.
abstract: This article presents a discussion of some challenges in the design of a multi-function patient monitor. The term "multi-function patient monitor" refers to a single medical device that monitors multiple physiological parameters from the same patient. A common configuration of the monitor is a personal computer (PC) platform communicating with several modules each designed to monitor one physiological parameter. Although such an integration of modules allows the modules to access to the display screen, keyboard, power supply and printer of the PC, the integration also involves new design challenges. The foremost challenge is the increased demand on the PC's resources, while another challenge is compatibility among the various modules. Examples of compatibility are electromagnetic compatibility, and clinical compatibility. A well-known example of incompatibility is the non-invasive blood pressure monitor cuff cutting off blood flow to the finger with a pulse oximeter probe, resulting in a Low Signal alarm in the pulse oximeter. Other challenges include clutter on the display screen and confusing alarm annunciation. This article discusses these design challenges and proposes some solutions based on engineering principles, and common sense considerations. Examples will also be drawn from case reports available in the public domain.
authors.affiliation: Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd., HFZ-450, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003626:Data Display; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006334:Heart Function Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide