Insertion Force Sensing for Delicate Medical Device Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical handling systems lack precise force measurement capabilities, particularly for small forces, which can cause damage in sensitive body areas like the inner ear, and existing solutions do not adequately compensate for gravity and acceleration influences.

Innovation Solution

A medical handling system with a force sensor and evaluation unit that compensates for gravity and acceleration influences, enabling accurate force measurement down to 100 mN with an accuracy of +/-10 mN, and provides real-time feedback and data storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for different medical tasks (e.g., hand hygiene, patient identification, vital signs monitoring), then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and requires multiple staff members to operate them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate medical devices into a single integrated system that includes a hand hygiene device, patient identification device, and vital signs monitoring device. This merging allows different medical functions to be performed using one unified device, reducing the number of separate devices needed and simplifying the overall system while maintaining the specialized functionality of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated medical device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously or sequentially - hand hygiene, patient identification, and vital signs monitoring - all within a single device. This multi-functionality allows the device to adapt to different medical tasks and reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for different medical tasks, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the cost of acquiring and maintaining multiple devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoiddevice quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual operation of multiple separate devices is required, then each device can be independently controlled, but the time required for staff members to perform multiple tasks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidtask completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device enables continuous medical monitoring and care by automatically performing multiple functions in sequence without requiring staff members to manually switch between separate devices. The system can continuously monitor vital signs, identify patients, and monitor hand hygiene compliance without interruption, thereby reducing the time required for task completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate devices are used, then each device can be independently maintained, but the overall maintenance burden and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4401617B1Medical handling system

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER

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AI summary

The invention relates to a medical insertion system with an insertion device for inserting a medical device attached to the insertion device into a body region of a patient, wherein the insertion device has at least one force sensor for detecting a force transmitted from the medical device to the insertion device in a measuring direction, the insertion system having an evaluation unit for evaluating a force signal which is emitted by the force sensor and represents the force detected by the force sensor.