Clinician Programmer External Display Mirroring for Sterile Field Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Clinician programmers used for neurostimulation devices are too small for multiple users to view simultaneously, restricting access and leading to miscommunication and increased procedure time due to the need for verbal instructions, especially in sterile environments where visual access is limited.
Innovation Solution
A clinician programming system that includes a clinician programmer with a processor and memory for programming an implantable pulse generator, a user interface, and a secondary display unit for external viewing, allowing mirroring or extension of the primary display to a larger secondary display for group viewing, even in sterile environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the clinician programmer is made portable and compact, then ease of transportation and storage is improved, but the screen size becomes too small for multiple users to view simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the display from a single two-dimensional screen to multiple display surfaces including a primary screen on the programmer and a secondary external monitor, creating a multi-dimensional viewing environment that allows multiple users to simultaneously view the interface without compromising portability
2Reliability
If the clinician programmer remains outside the sterile field, then sterility requirements are satisfied, but the physician cannot visually access the screen while performing the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external monitor as an intermediary device that receives video output from the programmer and displays it in the sterile field, allowing the physician to view the programming interface without the programmer itself needing to be sterile or physically present in the sterile zone
3Reliability
If verbal communication is used between the physician and external operator, then the programmer can remain outside the sterile field, but additional time is required for communication and miscommunication may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements visual feedback by displaying the programmer's interface on an external monitor in the sterile field, allowing the physician to directly observe programming actions and parameters without relying on verbal descriptions, thereby reducing miscommunication and accelerating the procedure
4Ease of operation
If the screen size is kept small, then the device remains portable, but users and observers cannot precisely identify the area of the screen where data entry is being performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects the interface to an external monitor that provides additional display real estate, allowing the cursor position and data entry area to be clearly visualized at a larger scale while the programmer itself remains compact and portable
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic programmer has a display screen, one or more sensors, a non-transitory memory storing instructions, and one or more electronic processors configured to execute the instructions to perform operations that include: detecting, via the one or more sensors, that the display screen of the portable electronic programmer has been engaged by an object; determining a location of the display screen of the portable electronic programmer that has been engaged; and causing an external monitor to display a visual indicator that corresponds to the location of the display screen of the portable electronic programmer, the external monitor being communicatively coupled to the portable electronic programmer.