Head-Mounted Laser Pointer with Pneumatic Breath Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During surgical training, trainers face challenges in directing surgical residents' attention without using their hands, which are often busy performing procedures, and existing solutions lack a convenient, hands-free mechanism for toggling a pointing device on and off.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted pointing device with a pneumatically controlled laser pointer that can be activated and deactivated by breathing, allowing hands-free operation and visual indication of surgical targets, featuring a circumferential headband, cross strap, and a flexible straw for controlling the laser beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional manual switch is used to control the laser pointer, then the device can be controlled, but the trainer's hands are occupied and cannot operate the switch during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical switch with a pneumatically controlled switch that uses breath pressure to activate the laser pointer. This substitution allows the trainer to control the laser without using their hands, solving the contradiction between hands-free operation and device control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pneumatically controlled switch that detects breath pressure to toggle the laser pointer on and off. This pneumatic control mechanism enables hands-free operation by converting respiratory movements into device control signals, directly addressing the need for hands-free operation during surgical procedures.
2Reliability
If the laser pointer remains always on, then the target is continuously visible, but energy is wasted and cannot be turned off during procedure transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the pneumatically controlled switch that toggles the laser pointer on and off based on breath input. This allows the laser to be activated only when needed for indication and deactivated when not required, eliminating continuous energy waste while maintaining reliability when active.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatically controlled switch provides feedback control by continuously monitoring breath pressure and automatically activating or deactivating the laser pointer accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the laser operates only when the trainer intends to indicate a target, optimizing both reliability and energy efficiency.
3Loss of information
If the trainer uses verbal instructions to direct the resident, then communication is maintained, but the resident cannot visually identify the exact target location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a laser pointer as an intermediary visual aid between the trainer and resident. The laser beam serves as a mediator that translates the trainer's spatial intentions into visible indicators on the patient, enabling the resident to accurately identify target locations without requiring constant verbal direction or manual pointing.
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
Enables trainers to accurately direct surgical residents' attention without manual intervention, improving teaching efficiency in both laparoscopic and open surgical procedures by providing a reliable and convenient means to toggle the laser beam on and off.
Implementation Method 1
a laser pointer that provides a dot or beam of light at a location dictated by the user
Implementation Method 2
An user-operated pneumatically controlled switch is provided so that the dot/beam can be toggled on or off by the user without manual intervention. The switch can be controlled by the users breath.
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted pointing device is disclosed, and can be used for example for surgical training. The pointing device includes a frame or harness assembly made from a circumferential headband and a cross strap that extends over the user's (i.e. trainer's) head. A laser pointer is mounted on one side of the circumferential headband, and a battery pack is provided to power the laser pointer. An user-operated pneumatically controlled switch is used to toggle the laser pointer. By moving the user's head and by activating the switch to engage the laser pointer, the trainer can point to a given target, such as material to be surgically excised from the patient during a surgical procedure.