Motorized C-Arm Control Interface with Perspective-Adaptive UI
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control systems for motorized C-arms in operating rooms are not ergonomic or intuitive, leading to users selecting incorrect buttons, resulting in time-consuming trial-and-error and potential collisions due to generic pictorial representations that do not align with the user's mental scheme or changing viewpoint.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that continuously receive user and C-arm position information to compute a graphical representation of the C-arm's position and command buttons tailored to the user's viewpoint, displayed on a control panel, with updated positions and disabled buttons for immovable degrees of freedom, enhancing ergonomics and intuitiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If generic pictorial representations are used on control buttons, then the control panel design is simple and standardized, but the user cannot intuitively select the correct button due to mismatch with user's mental scheme and changing viewpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts the graphical representation on the control panel based on the real-time position of the C-arm and the user's viewpoint. The representation transforms from a static generic view to a dynamic perspective-specific view that updates automatically as the C-arm moves, making button selection intuitive without requiring complex manual reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives position information from sensors on the C-arm and uses this feedback to compute and update the appropriate graphical representation displayed on the control panel. This closed-loop feedback ensures the control interface always reflects the current state and user perspective, eliminating the mismatch between button icons and actual C-arm orientation
2Reliability
If trial-and-error button selection is used to reach desired position, then the user can eventually achieve the target position, but the process is time-consuming and potentially generates collisions with user, patient or furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary computation of the correct button selection by analyzing the current C-arm position and the desired target position. Before the user acts, the system has already determined which button will achieve the desired movement, allowing the user to directly select the correct button without trial-and-error, thus saving time and preventing collisions
3Adaptability or versatility
If the user moves to different positions around the C-arm, then the user can view the C-arm from different angles, but the selection of appropriate button becomes non-intuitive due to changing viewpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides different local graphical representations on the control panel tailored to each user position and viewpoint. Instead of using a single generic representation for all users and positions, the system adapts the visual feedback locally according to where the user is standing relative to the C-arm, ensuring intuitive control regardless of user positioning
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling movement of a motorized C-arm, comprising: - receiving position information of a user (U) relative to the C-arm (1), - continuously receiving current position information of the C-arm (1) relative to a reference position of the C-arm, - from said current position information and from the position information of the user, computing a graphical representation of the current position of the C-arm according to the user's point of view, - from the computed graphical representation of the current position of the C-arm, computing a graphical representation of at least one command button suited to the current position information of the C-arm and to the user's point of view to move the C-arm in a determined direction according to a respective degree of freedom, - displaying on a control panel a graphical user interface (7) comprising said computed representation (70) of the current position of the C-arm and said at least one command button (710).