Endoscope Switch Reallocation for Faster Medical Device Error Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical device control systems require manual intervention and prolonged time for error recovery due to the need for manual reconfiguration of scope switches during device errors, especially in unclean areas.

Innovation Solution

A central control system that automatically changes the functions allocated to scope switches during errors and resets them upon recovery, allowing for quick restoration from errors by reallocating necessary functions to the switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual reconfiguration of scope switches is performed during device errors, then functions can be reallocated to scope switches, but operation time is prolonged and requires manual intervention in unclean areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiderror recovery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic function reconfiguration of scope switches during errors without requiring manual intervention. The centralized control device detects errors and automatically reallocates functions to scope switches, enabling the system to serve itself during error recovery operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures multiple function sets that can be quickly switched to during errors. Instead of manually reconfiguring scope switches during errors, the system has prepared alternative function allocations in advance that can be automatically activated, reducing error recovery time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If scope switches are used during errors, then operation can be performed, but functions must be manually reallocated which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror recovery speedVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized control device automatically detects errors and performs function reconfiguration of scope switches without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability enables rapid error recovery while maintaining relatively simple control architecture through automated decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the operation panel is used for error restoration, then functions can be restored, but the operation panel is in an unclean area requiring nurse intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror restoration capabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the critical error recovery functions from the centralized operation panel and assigns them to scope switches that can be operated directly at the patient's side. This allows surgeons to perform error restoration operations without returning to the control station in the unclean area, improving both reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control functions are segmented between the centralized operation panel and distributed scope switches. Error recovery functions are specifically assigned to scope switches, allowing localized operation at the patient's side while maintaining centralized control capabilities for other functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3912586B1Centralized control device and centralized control system
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP3912586B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3912586B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3912586B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A central control apparatus is a central control apparatus that centrally controls a plurality of medical devices as controlled devices, the central control apparatus including a function setting unit configured to set a function allocated to one or more switches provided in an endoscope, an error detecting unit configured to detect occurrence of an error of the controlled devices and a state of the occurred error, and a function changing unit configured to change, based on a detection result of the error detecting unit, the function allocated to the one or more switches by the function setting unit.