AR-Guided Dialysis Training With Real-Time User Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex medical devices like dialysis devices require extensive training and manual guidance, which is costly and often unavailable due to the scarcity of human trainers, posing a risk of improper operation.

Innovation Solution

A dialysis device training system utilizing augmented reality (AR) technology to provide user instructions, monitor activities, and offer assistance through an AR device, including optical, acoustic, and haptic feedback, enabling self-guided training without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If human trainers are used to train users on complex medical devices, then training quality and reliability are improved, but cost and availability are worsened due to scarcity of human trainers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining reliabilityVSAvoidtraining availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service training by allowing users to independently complete training tasks through the AR device without requiring human trainers. The AR system provides real-time guidance, monitors user actions, and evaluates performance automatically, making training availability independent of human trainer schedules while maintaining reliable training quality through structured virtual instruction and continuous feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual reading of device manuals is used for training, then training cost is reduced, but training efficiency and user guidance are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining costVSAvoidtraining efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manually reading and interpreting device manuals with an automated AR-based training system. The AR device displays interactive visual guidance overlays on the actual device components, provides step-by-step virtual instruction, and automatically monitors user actions. This substitution eliminates the need for users to manually search through manual documentation while significantly improving training efficiency through real-time, context-aware guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If extensive training is provided for complex medical devices, then user competence is improved, but training time and resource consumption are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser competenceVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The training system segments the comprehensive training content into discrete, manageable tasks that can be completed independently. Each training task corresponds to a specific device operation or configuration step, allowing users to progress through training modules at their own pace. The AR device presents information in segmented visual overlays that appear only when needed, reducing overall training time while maintaining thorough coverage of all required competencies through targeted, task-specific instruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4618093A1Method for operating a dialysis device training system, dialysis device training system, medical system and augmented reality device
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4618093A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4618093A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4618093A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a training of the user for a medical device, in particular a dialysis device. For this purpose, instructions for carrying out a task to be trained are computed and the user is provided with assistance for carrying out the task by means of an AR device. In particular, the AR device may further monitor the activities of the user so that a response of the medical device according to the activities of the user can be calculated and related virtual feedback is provided to the user.