Remote Control Console Position Verification for Medical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless remote control consoles for medical devices can unintentionally activate medical equipment from outside the designated operating space, leading to safety and operational issues, as they can communicate wirelessly beyond the intended working area and lack orientation-based control mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing transceiver locator devices and a global network to detect the location and orientation of portable remote control consoles, ensuring they are within the correct working space and properly oriented before allowing communication with medical device control units, and prioritizing consoles based on signal strength or special codes to prevent unintended activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless remote control console is used to eliminate physical constraints, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but unintended activation from outside working space occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidunintended activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transceiver locator system acts as an intermediary between the remote control console and the medical device control unit. The system includes transceiver locator devices positioned throughout the facility that detect the location of the portable remote control console and communicate this information to a central controller, which then determines whether to permit or block control signals based on the console's location within authorized working spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary location verification before allowing control activation. The transceiver locator devices continuously monitor and determine the location of the portable remote control console before permitting communication with the control unit for any medical device, ensuring the console is within an authorized working space prior to activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If wireless communication range is extended for better accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but communication with wrong control unit may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidwrong control unit communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives feedback from the transceiver locator system regarding the location and identity of active remote control consoles. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to verify which console is authorized to communicate and to identify the specific medical device or control unit that should receive control signals, preventing miscommunication with wrong control units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The transceiver locator system serves as an intermediary that verifies and routes communication between remote control consoles and control units. It ensures that control signals are directed to the correct control unit by matching the active console with the appropriate medical device based on location and authorization data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If location verification system is implemented to prevent unintended activation, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transceiver locator devices serve multiple functions: they detect the location of portable remote control consoles, provide positioning information to the central controller, and help identify authorized working spaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple remote control consoles are allowed for versatility, then adaptability is improved, but control confusion and unintended activation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple consolesVSAvoidcontrol confusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives feedback from the transceiver locator system about which remote control consoles are active and their locations. This feedback enables the system to manage multiple consoles by identifying the most recently activated console or the one within the authorized working space, preventing control confusion and ensuring only one console can control a given medical device at a time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8175590B2System for preventing unintended activation of a medical device by a portable remote control console

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A network system prevents portable wireless remote control consoles from unintended activation of a medical device by determining if the console is located in a working space within a medical care room. Transceiver locator devices determine the position of the remote control consoles and send information to room control units indicating when a console is within the desired working space. The room control unit receives signals from the remote control console in the working space to control medical devices. The room control unit can also determine which of multiple remote control consoles within the working space is permitted to operate the medical devices. Each room control unit can send a presence output to the remote control console to enable use thereof. The remote control console can have an orientation sensor or a grip detector to prevent unintended operation thereof.