Force-Sensitive Imaging Console for Blind Patient Bed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical imaging devices, such as CT and MRI systems, require safe and efficient operation of movable components like patient beds without diverting the operator's attention from the patient, which existing touchscreens and mechanical controls fail to achieve effectively due to complexity and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A touch- and force-sensitive operating interface using a combination of touch sensors and force sensors, allowing for 'blind' operation by detecting touch position and force, with redundant controllers ensuring safety and flexibility in operator actions, and enabling dynamic definition of operating areas based on touch position and force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a touchscreen is used as an operating device, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the ease of operation for blind operation deteriorates because visual attention cannot be focused on the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control elements (buttons, switches) with a touchscreen interface that detects touch position and force. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while enabling blind operation through force-sensitive detection that provides tactile feedback without requiring visual attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements force-sensitive detection that provides haptic feedback to the operator. The touchscreen detects the force of touches and provides corresponding feedback, allowing operators to confirm their actions through tactile sensation rather than visual confirmation, thus enabling safe blind operation.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical control elements with haptic feedback are used, then the ease of operation for blind operation is improved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touchscreen interface with force-sensitive detection capabilities into a single integrated operating device. This combination eliminates the need for separate mechanical control elements while maintaining haptic feedback functionality, thus reducing overall device complexity while preserving blind operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen operating device performs multiple functions: it detects touch position for interface control and simultaneously detects touch force for haptic feedback and safety confirmation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized control elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of blind operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a touchscreen without force sensitivity is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the safety for patient movement control deteriorates due to inability to detect operating intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical force sensors with a touchscreen that has integrated force-sensitive detection capabilities. This substitution maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling safety-critical force detection for patient movement control, thus achieving both cost-effectiveness and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The force-sensitive touchscreen provides real-time feedback on operating intensity during patient table movement. The system detects the force of operator inputs and uses this information to control movement speed and confirm safety conditions, ensuring patient safety while maintaining manufacturing cost-effectiveness.
4Reliability
If force-sensitive detection is added to touchscreen, then the safety for patient movement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines force-sensitive detection with the touchscreen interface into a single integrated system. This merging approach enables safety-critical force detection without requiring separate sensor systems, thus improving patient safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen with force-sensitive detection serves multiple functions: interface control through touch position detection and safety monitoring through force detection. This multi-functionality achieves improved patient safety without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware structure performs both functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Medical imaging device (1), in particular computed tomography device and/or magnetic resonance device, comprising at least one component movable by means of an actuator (17) and/or adjustable by means of an adjustment means, in particular comprising at least one patient bed (4), and an operating device (8) for controlling the operation of the at least one component, wherein the operating device (8) comprises a touch- and force-sensitive, planar operating means (9) and a control device (7) having at least one touch sensor (10) and at least one force sensor (11) measuring the strength of the touch.