AR-Guided Medical Device Control Module for Error-Free Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of complex medical devices like gas analyzers and anesthesia devices face challenges in operating and maintaining them efficiently due to the lack of clear guidance on operational controls, leading to potential errors and increased time consumption in life-threatening situations.
Innovation Solution
A control module and process that dynamically generates visual signals to direct users to the correct operational controls, providing position data and supporting the operation through a simulation function, ensuring efficient and error-free device operation by automatically detecting the sequence of operational controls and providing visual and activation signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If online help with text information is provided, then user guidance is improved, but operation time increases and user efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional text-based online help with an augmented reality system that uses optical fields (display device showing graphical user interface) to overlay operational information directly onto the physical device. This substitution transforms the mechanical action of reading text into a visual overlay experience, allowing users to see operational controls and instructions simultaneously in the AR interface and on the actual device, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining comprehensive information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an augmented reality interface as an intermediary between the user and the device controls. This intermediary layer displays graphical indicators, arrows, and operational guidance that map directly to physical controls, serving as a mediator that translates complex device operations into intuitive visual cues without requiring users to read extensive text manuals.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive operating guides are provided, then user understanding is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing context-specific operational information directly at the location of each control element. Instead of presenting comprehensive guides that require navigation, the system displays targeted instructions, graphical indicators, and arrows precisely where needed on the device interface, allowing users to obtain relevant information locally without increasing overall operation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing and analyzing the user's current device state to determine which operational controls are relevant. Before the user needs information, the augmented reality interface proactively displays guidance for the specific controls that should be operated next, based on the current operational context, thereby simplifying the user's decision-making process without overwhelming them with comprehensive guides.
3Ease of operation
If simulation functionality is added to guide users, then operational support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a virtual replica or representation of the device interface within the augmented reality environment. The graphical user interface in the AR display mirrors the physical device controls, allowing users to interact with a visual copy that provides guidance indicators, arrows, and feedback without adding physical complexity to the actual device. This virtual copying enables comprehensive guidance functionality while maintaining device simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A process for the control of a gas analyzer, respirator or anesthesia device (10), a control module (19) and a gas analyzer, respirator or anesthesia device (10) are provided with a control module (19). The process is used for the output of online help and for guiding the user via a sequence of operating steps that are executed via defined operational controls (17). Each operational control (17) is designed with a selection signal generator and with an activation signal sensor in order to make possible a visual selection of the respective operational control. The selection may be coupled with the output of a visual indication on the graphical user interface (13).