Customizable Joystick Control for Medical Imaging Scopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging scopes have limited user input options, requiring operators to visually confirm button selections and interrupt procedures for complex functions, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system with a camera head featuring a processing unit, memory, and a movable input device, such as a joystick, that allows for customizable control of commands through discrete patterns, enabling operators to perform actions without visual confirmation and allowing continuous viewing during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are provided on the camera head for controlling different functions, then the number of controllable commands increases, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring visual confirmation and hand movement from procedure to control
Solution Approach 1:
A single movable input device (joystick) is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different movement patterns in three-dimensional space. The processing unit interprets various directions, magnitudes, and combinations of movements to execute different commands, replacing multiple dedicated buttons with one multi-functional control element.
Solution Approach 2:
The input device allows dynamic control where the same physical component (joystick) can be moved in different patterns (directions, distances, combinations) to trigger different commands. This dynamic movement capability enables a single static device to provide multiple controllable functions without requiring visual confirmation or hand repositioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are added to detect more input movements and gestures, then the number of detectable input patterns increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single movable input device with three-degree-of-freedom movement capability serves multiple detection functions. The processing unit analyzes different movement patterns (direction, magnitude, combination of axes) from this one device to identify various input gestures, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects different input patterns by analyzing changes in movement parameters (direction along three axes, magnitude of movement, combination of movements) from a single input device rather than using multiple sensors. The processing unit distinguishes between different commands by interpreting variations in these physical parameters.
3Measurement precision
If visual confirmation of input selection is required, then command accuracy improves, but productivity decreases due to interruption of continuous viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The movable input device enables operators to confirm commands through tactile feedback and muscle memory without visual verification. The three-dimensional movement patterns provide sufficient tactile distinction that operators can confidently execute commands while maintaining continuous visual monitoring of the display, making the system self-sufficient for accurate input detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a medical imaging scope is disclosed. The system includes a camera head, a display, a processing unit, a memory unit and an input disposed on the medical imaging scope. The processing unit is configured to display a menu that correlates to a plurality of commands. The input is configured to be moveable in three dimensions of space along a set axis, in a plurality of discrete patterns. The processing unit is further configured to associate each of the plurality of discrete patterns with a desired command of the plurality of commands and store each of the plurality of discrete patterns with the desired command of the plurality of commands in the memory unit so as to customize a control of the medical imaging scope.