Gesture Remote Control for Touch-Free Medical Device Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices require direct manipulation, leading to degradation in therapeutic and nursing performance, particularly in clean environments like operating rooms and NICU, due to the need for frequent disinfection after each use.

Innovation Solution

A remote control device that wirelessly transmits control signals based on gestures detected by sensors, allowing medical professionals to operate medical devices without direct contact, reducing the need for disinfection and minimizing performance degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If direct manipulation of the medical device is performed, then the device can be operated, but the therapeutic and nursing performance is degraded due to frequent disinfection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidtherapeutic and nursing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A remote control device serves as an intermediary between the operator and the medical device. The remote control device transmits operation signals wirelessly to the medical device, allowing operators to control the medical device without direct contact. This intermediary approach maintains ease of operation while eliminating the need for frequent disinfection, thereby preserving therapeutic and nursing performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based operation system with a wireless signal transmission system. Instead of physically touching the medical device to operate it, the remote control device uses wireless communication to transmit control signals. This substitution eliminates the contamination risk associated with direct contact while maintaining full operational capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the medical device is manipulated directly, then the device functions can be controlled, but the need for frequent disinfection increases in clean environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control device acts as an intermediary that transmits control signals wirelessly to the medical device. This intermediary approach allows operators to control the medical device without direct contact, thereby eliminating the contamination risk associated with frequent touching while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control device creates a functional copy of the medical device's control interface. By replicating the essential control functions in a remote location, the system allows operators to interact with a copy of the control system rather than the actual medical device, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining full operational capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Enhances operational efficiency in clean environments by reducing the need for direct device interaction, thereby preserving therapeutic and nursing performance and minimizing disinfection requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor configured to detect a gesture of a medical worker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGesture sensing:

Implementation Method 2

wireless communication module configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless transmission:

Data Source

PatentEP3857526B1Remote control device, and remote control system
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 NIHON KOHDEN CORP
  • EP3857526B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3857526B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3857526B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A memory (13) stores gesture information corresponding to a gesture (G) of a medical worker that is allocated to a function of a medical device (2). A sensor (11) is configured to detect a gesture (G). A transmitter (12) is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal (CS) for remotely controlling the function. A processor (14) is configured to cause the transmitter (12) to transmit the control signal (CS) in a case where the gesture (G) corresponding to the gesture information is detected by the sensor (11).