Antiparallel Magnet Array for Secure Medical Device Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing attachment mechanisms for medical examination devices like dermatoscopes to mobile device cameras generate significant magnetic fields, causing electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can affect sensitive medical equipment, necessitating a solution that minimizes magnetic fields while ensuring a secure attachment.

Innovation Solution

The use of an array of axially magnetized magnets positioned in antiparallel arrangement to reduce the magnetic field's expanse while increasing the field strength close to the poles, allowing for a secure and interference-minimized attachment of dermatoscopes to mobile devices, utilizing a magnetic array that includes axially magnetized magnets in alternating polarity to couple with ferromagnetic metal elements around the lens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If traditional magnetic attachment mechanisms are used to securely attach dermatoscopes to mobile devices, then attachment strength is improved, but magnetic field expanse increases causing electromagnetic interference with sensitive medical equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single large magnet into multiple smaller magnet elements arranged in an array. Each magnet element is independently positioned and oriented, allowing the magnetic field to be segmented and controlled. This segmentation enables the attachment mechanism to maintain strong local magnetic attraction at the contact points while reducing the overall expanse of the magnetic field that causes EMI with nearby sensitive medical equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates different magnetic field characteristics at different locations by positioning magnet elements with alternating polarities. Near the attachment surface, the magnetic field is concentrated and strong for secure attachment, while farther from the surface, the alternating polarity arrangement causes field cancellation that reduces the overall magnetic field expanse. This local quality variation allows strong attachment force at the interface while minimizing EMI in the surrounding area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If magnet array density is increased to strengthen attachment, then attachment security is improved, but magnetic field strength at distance increases potentially causing more EMI

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmagnetic field strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric magnetic field distribution through alternating polarity arrangement of magnet elements. The field is asymmetrically concentrated toward the attachment surface where it provides strong holding force, while asymmetrically canceling out at distances from the surface. This asymmetric configuration ensures reliable attachment security while limiting the propagation of harmful magnetic fields into the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a conventional uniform polarity arrangement that radiates magnetic field outward, the patent inverts the approach by using alternating polarities that create field cancellation in the outward direction. This inversion strategy reverses the typical magnetic field behavior, concentrating the field where needed (at the attachment interface) while suppressing it where harmful (in the surrounding space).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively reduces stray magnetic flux, minimizing EMI while maintaining strong magnetic attraction, making it suitable for use in medical settings where sensitive equipment is present.

Implementation Method 1

an array of magnets that includes axially magnetized magnets in alternating polarity to couple with ferromagnetic metal elements around the lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

positioned in antiparallel arrangement to reduce the magnetic field's expanse while increasing the field strength close to the poles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field configuration: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11589822B2Medical illuminator mobile device attachment apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 DERMLITE LLC

AI summary

The disclosure demonstrates an attachment apparatus for optically coupling a mobile device camera to a lens of a medical examination device. The device incudes an attachment body wherein the proximal side of the attachment body is attached to a mobile device via a magnetic array that may be positioned in at least two different positions. The distal side of the attachment device includes an array of magnets to connect with the lens of a medical device. In one or more of the magnetic arrays at least one pair of axially magnetized magnets are positioned in antiparallel arrangement relative to each other to reduce the expanse of a magnetic field while at the same time increasing the magnetic field strength close to the magnetic poles.