Fluid Ejection Device with Acceleration Sensor for Precision Incision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid ejection and severance control systems for medical procedures face challenges in precision, as the operator's movement affects the depth and accuracy of tissue excision or incision, leading to unintended cuts due to variability in hand movement and potential shaking.

Innovation Solution

A fluid ejection device equipped with an acceleration sensor and a controller that selects a preset ejection mode based on the operator's acceleration, controlling fluid ejection to prevent deep cuts or unintended excisions by adjusting the ejection according to predefined acceleration thresholds for broad or narrow range operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operator manually controls fluid ejection while moving the end effector, then the operator can adjust ejection power, but the degree of excision varies depending on hand movement and may cause unintended cuts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual control flexibilityVSAvoidexcision precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an acceleration sensor-based detection system. The sensor detects acceleration of the end effector, and the controller automatically adjusts fluid ejection based on detected movement patterns, substituting human hand control with automated sensor-driven control to eliminate variability from hand shaking or inconsistent movement speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring acceleration of the end effector through the acceleration sensor and adjusting fluid ejection parameters in real-time based on the detected movement state. This closed-loop feedback ensures that fluid ejection matches the actual operational state, preventing both over-ejection and under-ejection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the end effector is moved finely for broad range cutting, then superficial cutting is achieved, but stopping movement causes unnecessarily deep cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting depth controlVSAvoidcutting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration sensor detects when the end effector movement slows down or stops, and the controller responds by reducing or stopping fluid ejection automatically. This feedback mechanism prevents fluid from continuing to eject at full power when the blade has stopped moving, avoiding unnecessarily deep cuts while maintaining efficient cutting during active movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by detecting deceleration trends before complete stopping occurs, and preemptively reduces fluid ejection power to prevent the harmful effect of over-penetration. This anticipatory control stops the harmful action before it fully manifests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Manufacturing precision

If the hand shakes during narrow part excision, then the ejected fluid may hit and excise other parts than the site to be excised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcision accuracyVSAvoidunintended tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration sensor detects unexpected acceleration changes caused by hand shaking, and the controller immediately responds by adjusting or stopping fluid ejection. This real-time feedback prevents fluid from being ejected when the end effector is moving erratically, avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects harmful hand shaking movements and converts this harmful factor into useful information for control. By detecting the unwanted acceleration patterns, the system uses this information to automatically suppress fluid ejection during unstable operation, turning the harmful shaking into a trigger for protective control action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device ensures precise control over fluid ejection, allowing operators to perform intended incisions or excisions with reduced risk of unnecessary depth or unintended cuts, enhancing both precision and safety in medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

an acceleration sensor which detects an operation acceleration of the operation unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS9131952B2Fluid ejection device, fluid ejection method, and medical apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A fluid ejection device for ejecting a fluid to incise or excise a target includes: a fluid supplying unit which supplies the fluid; an operation unit to which the fluid supplied from the fluid supplying unit continues; a fluid ejection tube which ejects the fluid continuing to the operation unit; an ejection mode selecting unit which allows a predetermined ejection mode to be selected; an acceleration sensor which detects an operation acceleration of the operation unit; and a controller which controls ejection of the fluid, using a preset acceleration that is set on the basis of the ejection mode that is selected, and the operation acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor.