Medical device with collision sensor

Abstract

A medical device has a casing element (9) in which a sensor element (14) is arranged. The sensor element (14) detects when the casing element (9) collides with the base body (1) or another body while an accessory part (2) is being moved relative to the base body (1). In the event of a collision, the sensor element (14) emits a sensor signal (S). The casing element (9) has an inner shell (10) and an outer shell (11), both made of plastic, which lie one on top of the other and are connected to each other at their edges by a connection (12). The inner shell (10) and the outer shell (11) form a cavity (13) between them in which the sensor element (14) is arranged, so that it partially, but not completely, fills the cavity (13).The sensor element (14) is fixed in the cavity (13), but can be removed from the cavity (13) after the connection (12) between the inner shell (10) and the outer shell (11) is released.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical device, - the device having a casing element, - wherein a sensor element is arranged in the cladding element, by means of which it is detected when the cladding element collides during movement, - wherein the sensor element emits a sensor signal in the event of a collision with the cladding element, - wherein the cladding element has an inner shell and an outer shell, both made of plastic, lying on top of each other and connected to each other in their edge areas via a connection.

[0002] Such devices are generally known. A C-arm system can be mentioned as just one example.

[0003] In medical devices of the type mentioned above, the attachment (for example, a boom) is moved directly or via a number of intermediate elements relative to the main body. During the movement of the attachment, a collision can occur, for example, with the main body, other objects, or even people. If such a collision occurs, it is necessary to detect the collision and stop the movement as quickly as possible. The sensor element serves to detect such a collision. The sensor element transforms the cladding element into a so-called intelligent cladding element.

[0004] In the prior art, a sensor element is permanently (and often inseparably) bonded to an inner shell of the cladding element. The inner shell is generally made of a relatively hard material. A further layer is applied to the side of the sensor element facing away from the inner shell. In some cases, this further layer itself forms the outer shell. In other cases, the further layer is relatively soft and forms a kind of crumple zone. In this case, the outer shell is permanently bonded to the further layer.

[0005] Due to the permanent and inseparable bond between the inner shell, the sensor element, and the outer layer, recycling the components of the cladding element is either impossible or extremely difficult. Furthermore, various topcoats are typically required, which further complicates recycling. For example, disassembling the cladding element can be very labor-intensive. Materials may also be incompatible, requiring them to be cut or disassembled before they can be recycled separately. In some cases, metallic elements, such as copper components, are screwed into the cladding element. These often need to be removed manually before recycling. In some instances, a copper lacquer is applied to the inner and / or outer shell, either internally or externally.In this case, the corresponding bowls are contaminated with copper and cannot be recycled.

[0006] The prior art includes, among other things, German patent application DE 20 2014 009 315 U1, which describes a medical examination or treatment device with a collision protection device in which spring elements are arranged between two plates to dampen impacts and detect collisions via sensors. Furthermore, German patent application DE 10 2013 202 703 B4 discloses a collision detection device in which a resiliently designed partial surface section of a housing cover actuates a microswitch upon collision. Finally, German patent application DE 10 2012 219 024 B4 shows a housing cover module with integrated resistance elements that change their electrical resistance when stretched in order to detect a collision and measure its force.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to create possibilities by means of which such recycling is enabled or facilitated.

[0008] To achieve these goals, various aspects must be considered. One aspect is material selection with regard to recyclability: Materials should be chosen to ensure high recyclability. Recyclability refers to how easily a product can be disassembled into its constituent materials to facilitate the subsequent recycling process. The aim is to increase the recycling rate through easy recyclability, for example, by making it easier to separate the individual parts of the cladding element into their constituent materials, thus creating the basis for a high recycling rate. The recycling rate indicates the percentage of a specific product that can be recycled and / or the percentage of a large number of similar products that can be recycled. The recycling rate differs from the recycling percentage.The recycled content is the proportion of a particular product that consists of recycled material. Another aspect is enabling easy disassembly.

[0009] Ideally, the design should therefore be modular to allow for easy disassembly and separation of materials and components. Furthermore, a modular design not only facilitates recycling but also the repair and replacement of parts, such as replacing a sensor element or a cover shell in case of a defect. In some cases, individual modules / components of a cladding element can even be reused without shredding the inner and / or outer shell.

[0010] The problem is solved by a medical device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the device are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 14.

[0011] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0012] According to the invention, a medical device of the type mentioned above is designed by: - that the inner shell and the outer shell form a cavity between them, - that the sensor element is arranged in the cavity so that it partially, but not completely, fills the cavity, and - that the sensor element is fixed in the cavity, but can be removed from the cavity again after the connection between the inner shell and the outer shell has been loosened.

[0013] Preferably, the sensor element is not bonded to either the inner or outer shell, so that it can be easily removed from the cavity. If bonding is necessary, a water-soluble adhesive, for example, can be used.

[0014] Regarding its form and function, the sensor element can be designed in many different ways. The crucial factor is that the sensor element can detect when external pressure is applied to the cladding element. For example, the sensor element can be designed as a pressure sensor, a large-area switch, or a switching strip. Large-area switches and switching strips are well-known examples. Other types of sensor elements are also possible, such as tactile textile sensors, smart textiles, or ultra-thin 3D-printed textiles.

[0015] In particular, it is intended that the inner shell, the outer shell, and / or the sensor element can be separated and / or separable without damage if the connection is loosened. "Separatable without damage" means, in particular, that the separated components do not exhibit any significant loss of quality. This allows them to be completely or partially reused and / or repurposed.

[0016] Preferably, the inner and outer shells are made of materials with a recycled content of at least 30%. This reduces the environmental footprint. The recycled content can also be higher than 30%, for example, at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or even at least 90%. Ideally, the inner and outer shells consist entirely or almost entirely (97% or more) of such materials. The material can be supplied, for example, through PIR (post-industrial recycled) and PCR (post-consumer recycled) processes. The recycling methods can be mechanical, pyrolysis, or depolymerization.

[0017] In many cases, the inner and outer shells are similarly curved in three dimensions. In this case, the sensor element is preferably held and fixed within the cavity due to the shape of the inner and outer shells. This design facilitates the fixation of the sensor element within the cavity.

[0018] Preferably, the inner shell and / or the outer shell have positioning elements that interact with corresponding counter-elements of the sensor element, such that the sensor element is fixed relative to the inner shell and / or the outer shell by the interaction of the positioning elements and the counter-elements. This ensures precise positioning of the sensor element. Preferably, the positioning elements are arranged on the inner shell. The positioning elements can be, for example, knobs, and the counter-elements recesses. However, the positioning elements and the counter-elements can also be configured in reverse.

[0019] Preferably, the sensor element has predetermined breaking points along which it breaks or tears when a lateral tensile force is applied to it while it is located between the inner and outer shells. This allows the sensor element to be easily removed from the cavity, either completely in several large sections or almost completely in one large section.

[0020] This design is particularly relevant in conjunction with the design in which the positioning elements and the counter-elements are also present.

[0021] The connection between the inner and outer shells can be designed as required. Typically, this is either an adhesive bond or a snap-fit ​​connection. If a liquid-tight and possibly even a gas-tight connection is necessary, the latter can be ensured by an additional sealing element, for example, a permanently elastic ring-shaped element encircling the outer surface.

[0022] Preferably, the inner shell consists of a flame-retardant material. The flame retardant preferably meets at least UL94-V1 (as of August 2024), or even better, UL94-V0. The flame retardancy can be achieved, for example, by enriching a base material of the inner shell that is inherently flammable with a non-flammable or only slightly flammable additive material. In this case, the outer shell can consist of a material without flame retardant. Because the outer shell can be made of a material without flame retardant, a very high recycling rate of, for example, at least 90% can be achieved for the outer shell.

[0023] The movement of the attachment relative to the base body is typically controlled by the device's control unit by activating a number of actuators. In this case, the sensor signal is output to the device's control unit. Upon receiving the sensor signal, the control unit either stops or reverses the movement of the attachment relative to the base body.

[0024] Preferably, the inner shell and / or the outer shell and / or the sensor element are recyclable. This is particularly the case if the inner shell and / or the outer shell can be reused after disassembly of the cladding element without shredding.

[0025] Preferably, the cladding element has a modular design. This allows for the replacement of individual components of the cladding element, particularly in the event of a defect.

[0026] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understandable in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. These show, in schematic representation: Fig. 1 a medical device, Fig. 2 a cut through an additional part along a line II-II in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a section through a cladding element, Fig. 4 a flowchart, Fig. 5 a top view of an inner shell and a sensor element and Fig. 6 a section through a cladding element.

[0027] According to Fig. 1. A medical device comprises a base body 1 and at least one accessory 2. The accessory 2 is movable relative to the base body 1. In the example shown, the medical device is, for instance, a C-arm system, whose C-arm is the accessory 2. The accessory 2 is connected to the base body 1 via an intermediate element 3. For example, the intermediate element 3 can be height-adjustable on the base body 1. This is shown in Fig. 1 indicated by a double arrow 4. Likewise, the additional part 2 can be pivoted about a pivot axis 5 in a guide of the intermediate element 3. This is shown in Fig. 1 indicated by a double arrow 6.

[0028] Supplementary Part 2 shows according to Fig. 2 an internal structure, for example support struts 7 and cables 8 routed inside the additional part 2. The additional part 2 also has (at least) one cladding element 9. The cladding element 9 is used to cover the internal structure.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows the basic structure of the cladding element 9. According to Fig. The cladding element 9 has an inner shell 10 and an outer shell 11. The inner shell 10 is positioned between the outer shell 11 and the internal structure. Therefore, when the cladding element 9 is installed, the outer shell 11 is visible from the outside, while the inner shell 10 is not. Both the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 11 are made of plastic. Preferably, both the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 11 are made of materials with a recycled content of at least 30%. The recycled content can also be greater than 30% and, in extreme cases, can be 100% or only slightly below.

[0030] Preferably, the inner shell 10 consists of a flame-retardant material. In this case, it may be necessary to set the recycled content relatively low, for example at a maximum of 60% or 50%. The outer shell 11, on the other hand, preferably consists of a material without flame retardant. This allows the recycled content for the outer shell 11 to be set considerably higher, for example at least 70% or 80%.

[0031] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 11 lie one above the other. They are connected to each other at their edges by a connection 12. The connection 12 can, for example, be an adhesive bond. Alternatively, it can be a snap-fit ​​connection. The connection 12 is preferably liquid-tight, possibly even gas-tight. To ensure tightness, an additional seal may be required, for example, in the form of an O-ring.

[0032] The inner shell 10 and the outer shell 11 form a cavity 13 between them. A sensor element 14 is arranged in the cavity 13. However, the sensor element 14 clearly only partially, but not completely, fills the cavity 13. The sensor element 14 detects when the cladding element 9 comes into contact with the base body 1 or another body – for example, a patient bed 15 – while the additional part 2 is being moved relative to the base body 1. Fig. 1) or a person - collides. The person could, for example, be a patient 16 ( Fig. 1) be the person lying on patient bed 15. However, it could also be another person, for example an operator (not shown).

[0033] In the event of a collision of the cladding element 9, the sensor element 14 emits a sensor signal S. The sensor signal S is received by a control unit 17 of the device. The following is described in conjunction with Fig. 4 (very schematically) explains the operation of the control device 17.

[0034] According to Fig. 4. In step S1, the control unit 17 checks whether it receives a movement command that would move the additional part 2 relative to the base body 1. As long as this is not the case, the control unit 17 returns to step S1. Otherwise, in step S2, the control unit 17 moves the additional part 2 by appropriately activating a number of drives 18 ( Fig. 3) the additional part 2 relative to the base body 1.

[0035] If the additional part 2 is moved, the control unit 17 continues to execute step S3. In step S3, the control unit 17 checks whether the sensor signal S is transmitted to it by the sensor element 14. If this is not the case, the control unit 17 returns to step S1. Otherwise, in step S4, the control unit 17 stops the movement of the additional part 2 relative to the base body 1. Alternatively, in step S5, the control unit 17 inverts the movement of the additional part 2 relative to the base body 1 and only then, in step S6, stops the movement of the additional part 2 relative to the base body 1. Typically, either step S4 is present or steps S5 and S6 are present. However, since steps S4 to S6 are alternatively present, they are in Fig. 4 is only shown with dashed lines.

[0036] The control unit 17 then checks in step S7 whether it receives a release signal F, which would allow further movement of the additional part 2 relative to the base body 1. If this is not the case, the control unit 17 returns to step S4 or step S6. If it receives the release signal F, the control unit 17 returns to step S1.

[0037] The sensor element 14 is indeed fixed in the cavity 13. However, regardless of the type of fixation, the sensor element 14 can be removed from the cavity 13 again after the connection 12 is released.

[0038] To fix the sensor element in the cavity 13, the following can be done as shown in the illustration. Fig. 3 and Fig. For example, the inner shell 10 may have positioning elements 19 that interact with corresponding counter-elements 20 of the sensor element 14, such that the sensor element 14 is fixed relative to the inner shell 10 by the interaction of the positioning elements 19 and the counter-elements 20. Alternatively or additionally, the outer shell 11 may also have corresponding positioning elements, so that a fixation relative to the outer shell 11 is achieved.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, it is as shown in the illustration. Fig. 6. It is possible that the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 11 are similarly curved in three dimensions. In this case, the sensor element 14 can be held and fixed in the cavity 13 due to the shape of the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 11.

[0040] Fig. Figure 5 shows a further preferred embodiment, which is preferably implemented with the positioning elements 19 and the counter-elements 20. This embodiment can optionally also be combined with the embodiment of Fig. 6 feasible. According to Fig. 5 The sensor element 14 has predetermined breaking points 21. The sensor element 14 breaks or tears along the predetermined breaking points 21 if, as in Fig. 5, indicated by arrows 22, a laterally acting tensile force is exerted on the sensor element 14, while the sensor element 14 is located between the inner shell 10 and the outer shell 11.

[0041] The present invention offers many advantages. It provides a simple way to recycle the cladding element 9. In particular, in the case of a snap-fit ​​connection, only the snap-fit ​​connection needs to be opened. In the case of an adhesive connection, cutting may be necessary. Painting can be carried out as required or omitted entirely. If painting is chosen, recyclability must be taken into account. Furthermore, the sensor element 14 itself can often be reused. Due to the appropriate selection of materials, environmental requirements and aspects, especially sustainability aspects such as a low CO2 footprint and low toxicity, can be considered. Of course, it must be ensured that the processing properties of the materials correspond to the manufacturing requirements in order to guarantee efficient production.Recycling also offers further advantages, both financial and environmental, so that a business model can emerge for recyclers by minimizing the effort required for separation. The provision of pre-defined trend lines offers the possibility of designing the material structure in such a way as to facilitate separation and thus increase the purity and uniformity of the material properties of the resulting components.

[0042] Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

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