Head-Mounted Intercom System for Medical Suite Audio Privacy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In medical interventional and surgical suites, the physical separation between procedure and control rooms, along with ambient noise, limits effective auditory communication between personnel, making it difficult to hold private conversations and ensuring that messages are heard clearly across distances.
Innovation Solution
An intercom system that uses head-mounted devices (HMDs) to determine user locations and volume levels, selectively transmitting audio based on distance and obstacles, and accounting for ambient noise to ensure clear communication while maintaining privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If personnel remain at workstations to perform specific tasks, then task performance is improved, but communication capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intercom system as an intermediary communication device that enables personnel to communicate while remaining at their workstations. The intercom system transmits audio signals between different locations, allowing support personnel to maintain communication with the procedure room without needing to physically move to perform their tasks.
2Reliability
If conversations are broadcast loudly across the room, then audibility is improved, but privacy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by transmitting audio communications to specific designated locations or individuals rather than broadcasting to all areas. The intercom system enables targeted communication where audio is delivered only to the intended recipient's location, ensuring that sensitive discussions remain private while still being clearly audible to the intended party.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical separation between rooms is maintained, then functional organization is improved, but communication quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical requirement for physical proximity with an electronic communication system. The intercom system transmits audio signals electronically between the procedure room and control room, eliminating the need for personnel to be physically close for effective communication while maintaining the functional separation and organizational benefits of distinct rooms.
Data Source
AI summary
An intercom system provides audio communication between multiple users wearing head-mounted devices (HMDs). In an embodiment, the intercom system determines a first location of a first HMD of a first user. The intercom system determines a second location of a second HMD of a second user. The intercom system receives audio of the first user from a microphone of the first HMD. The intercom system determines a volume level of the audio at the second location using at least the first location and the second location. The intercom system transmits the audio to the second HMD responsive to determining that the volume level is less than a threshold volume. The intercom system may also selectively transmit audio based on gaze direction of a user. Additionally, the intercom system may generate a transcript of audio input by users.