Central Coupling Unit for Medical Device Supply Consolidation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity and space requirements of medical application units in treatment rooms lead to operational safety risks and inefficiencies due to the proliferation of medical devices and supply units, causing clutter and increased risk of accidents.

Innovation Solution

A medical system with a central coupling unit that consolidates supply units and devices, reducing space requirements by routing lines overhead or through walls, and providing a user-friendly interface for controlling and monitoring medical devices, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple supply units and devices are provided in the treatment room, then medical application functionality is improved, but space requirements and operational safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedical application functionalityVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple supply units and devices into a single integrated medical application unit. The supply unit (6) and device (8) are merged into one compact system that can be positioned close to the patient without requiring separate cable routes or additional space for individual components. This integration maintains full medical application functionality while significantly reducing the space occupied in the treatment room.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated medical application unit is designed to perform multiple functions through a single system. The supply unit provides various application-related signals and media (illuminating light, fluid stream, RF signal, control signal) to the device, enabling diverse medical applications from one compact unit. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace multiple separate devices while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple supply units and devices are provided in the treatment room, then medical application functionality is improved, but operational safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedical application functionalityVSAvoidoperational safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the supply unit and device into a single integrated system, the patent eliminates the cables that connect separate units. This removal of cables eliminates the tripping hazard and mechanical manipulation risks associated with disconnected cables, thereby improving operational safety while maintaining full medical application functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cables are used to connect devices to supply units, then device connectivity is improved, but space requirements and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidspace required for cables

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of supply unit and device eliminates the need for external cables connecting separate components. The internal integration provides all necessary connections (power, data, fluid, optical) without requiring cables to route through the treatment room, thereby eliminating the space occupation and safety risks associated with cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If supply units are carefully arranged to avoid cable interference, then operational safety is improved, but planning time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidplanning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated medical application unit eliminates cables entirely, removing the need for careful cable routing and arrangement planning. This integration significantly reduces or eliminates the planning time required to arrange supply units and cables safely, while maintaining operational safety through the cable-free design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4344690A1Medical system for centralised supply of medical devices

Publication Date: 2024.04.03 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

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AI summary

Medical system (2), in particular clinical device system, comprising several medical application units (4), each comprising a supply unit (6) for providing an application-related signal and/or medium, such as an illumination light, a fluid flow, an RF signal, a control signal or the like, and each comprising at least one device (8) supplied by the supply unit (6) with the application-related signal and/or medium, wherein the application-related signal and/or medium can be supplied to the device (8) for an application, and a central coupling unit (10), comprising several device interfaces (12) to which at least one of the supply units (6) can be connected, wherein the devices (8) can each be coupled to at least one of the device interfaces (12) so that they can be supplied via the central coupling unit (10) by at least one of the supply units (6).