Bedside Interface Device for EP Lab Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophysiology labs, there is a need to improve the efficiency of controlling diagnostic and therapeutic systems, as current practices require physicians to verbally communicate commands to technicians, leading to delays and potential misinterpretations due to the complexity of commands and ambient noise.
Innovation Solution
A bedside interface device equipped with an electronic control unit (ECU) that allows physicians to directly control electro-anatomic mapping systems through touch, multi-touch, gestures, verbal commands, motion patterns, or electroencephalogram inputs, eliminating the need for intermediate communication with technicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physicians verbally communicate commands to technicians, then control of diagnostic and therapeutic systems can be achieved, but procedure time increases and potential for misinterpretation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control interface from the separate control room and places it directly at the patient's bedside. The interface device includes a display and input mechanisms that allow the physician to directly control mapping system views, collect points, and place markers without leaving the procedure area or communicating verbally with technicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device acts as an intermediary between the physician and the mapping system. It translates the physician's direct interactions (touches, gestures) into system commands, eliminating the need for verbal communication through technicians while maintaining precise control over system functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control stations with keyboard and mouse are used, then comprehensive control of multiple applications is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device integrates multiple control functions into a single unified interface. It can control mapping system views, signal acquisition, recording, and other diagnostic functions through various input methods including touch, multi-touch, and gestures, eliminating the need for separate control stations with keyboards and mice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple control stations into a single bedside interface device. This consolidation integrates display, control input, and system communication capabilities into one device, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
3Reliability
If control station is placed across the room or outside procedure room, then sterile environment is maintained, but communication delay and potential for error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is extracted from the separate control room and positioned directly at the patient's bedside within the procedure area. This allows the physician to maintain control functionality while remaining in the sterile environment, eliminating communication delays and potential errors from verbal commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The physician directly operates the interface device themselves without requiring assistance from technicians. The interface is designed to be operable by the physician during the procedure, enabling self-service control of the mapping system and eliminating dependency on intermediate operators.
Data Source
AI summary
In an electrophysiology (EP) lab, a bedside interface device allows an EP physician to directly control various diagnostic and therapeutic systems, including an electro-anatomic mapping system. The bedside interface device can include a computer with wireless communication capability as well as a touch-responsive display panel and voice recognition. The bedside interface device can also be a hand-graspable wireless remote control device that is configured to detect motions or gestures made with the remote control by the physician, allowing the physician to directly interact with the mapping system. The bedside interface device can also be a motion capture camera configured to determine motion patterns of the physician's arms, legs, trunk, face and the like, which are defined in advance to correspond to commands for the mapping system. The bedside interface device may also include voice recognition capabilities to allow a physician to directly issue verbal commands to the mapping system.