Force-Limiting Medical Device for Consistent Manual Examination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical practitioners face challenges in delivering consistent force amplitudes during reflex tests and physical examinations due to variability in force application, leading to subjective conclusions that are difficult to compare.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a material structure that implements a force limiting function, using a modular arrangement of compressible units with a buckling threshold, which ensures a consistent force application regardless of manual input variability, including angle and temporal dynamics, and optionally equipped with sensors for feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual force application is used by medical practitioners, then ease of operation is improved, but force consistency and measurement precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidforce consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a force-limiting material structure as an intermediary between the practitioner's manual input and the subject's body. This material structure receives variable manual forces and transforms them into consistent, limited output forces through its mechanical properties, thereby mediating the inconsistency between ease of manual operation and force consistency requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The material structure is designed with specific mechanical parameters (elastic modulus, geometry, density) that determine its force-limiting behavior. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the structure transforms a wide range of input force parameters into a narrow, consistent output force range, resolving the contradiction between variable manual input and consistent force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If complex instrumented stimulus tools or video analysis systems are used to control stimulus parameters, then force consistency and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce consistencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force-limiting material structure is designed to automatically regulate and limit the output force based on its inherent mechanical properties without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. The structure self-adjusts to deliver consistent forces regardless of variations in manual input, eliminating the need for complex instrumented systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple, potentially disposable material structure instead of expensive, complex electronic control systems. This approach prioritizes reliability and consistency through a straightforward mechanical solution over sophisticated but costly electronic instrumentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If force limiting material structure is added to the device, then force consistency is improved, but device weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce consistencyVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The force-limiting material structure is implemented as a localized component within the device rather than a system-wide solution. By concentrating the force-regulating function in a specific material structure at the point of force application, the patent achieves force consistency without significantly increasing the overall device weight and volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enables consistent and repeatable force application, enhancing the reliability and objectivity of examination results by limiting manual input forces above a threshold and providing feedback through sensors, thus improving the consistency of medical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The material structure comprises an arrangement of beams defining a modular arrangement of compressible units each unit having a buckling threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuckling:

Implementation Method 2

The material structure comprises an arrangement of beams defining a modular arrangement of compressible units

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230181169A1A medical device for applying force to the body of a subject during examination, treatment or diagnosis

Publication Date: 2023.06.15 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A medical device is for applying a force to the body of a subject by means of a force application surface. A material structure has an input for receiving a manual input force from a user of the medical device, and an output coupled to the force application surface for delivering an output force. The material structure implements a force transfer function which includes a force limiting function, so that a limited known force is applied to the body of the subject.