Catheter Procedure Joystick Interlock for Unintended Motion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic catheter procedure systems face issues with joystick failures, leading to unintended movements of medical devices when the joystick is stuck or not properly activated, posing a risk during precise medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An interlocking system for joysticks in catheter procedure systems, utilizing a capacitive touch detection circuit and signal enable circuit to generate voltage output signals based on user interaction, ensuring that medical devices only move when the joystick is intentionally activated, preventing unintended actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional joystick interface is used in a catheter procedure system, then the system can provide basic control functionality, but the system is vulnerable to joystick failures that cause unintended movements of medical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The joystick interface is segmented into multiple independent detection circuits: a capacitive touch detection circuit that detects user contact with the joystick cover, and a joystick actuation detection circuit that detects actual joystick movement. These separate circuits work together to verify intentional activation before allowing device movement, preventing unintended actuation from single-point failures.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary control system is introduced between the joystick and the medical device actuation. This intermediary system requires confirmation from both the capacitive touch detection circuit and the joystick actuation detection circuit before enabling device movement. This intermediary layer prevents direct coupling that could lead to unintended movements from joystick failures.
2Speed
If the joystick system activates device motion quickly for responsive control, then the system provides responsive medical device control, but the system risks unintended actuation when the joystick is not properly activated
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive touch detection circuit performs preliminary detection of user contact with the joystick cover before the joystick actuation detection circuit enables device movement. This preliminary action ensures that the user has intentionally grasped the joystick before any device motion can occur, preventing unintended actuation while maintaining quick response once activation is confirmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through two detection circuits that continuously monitor joystick status. The capacitive touch detection circuit provides feedback on user contact, and the joystick actuation detection circuit provides feedback on joystick movement. Both feedback signals must confirm intentional activation before device motion is permitted, ensuring reliability while maintaining responsiveness.
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
The interlocking system provides a single fault-safe joystick interface, rapidly disabling device motion when not in use, enhancing procedural safety and precision by ensuring that medical devices only actuate when the user is intentionally controlling the joystick.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive touch detection circuit coupled to the electrode plating of the upper portion of the joystick cover, the capacitive touch detection circuit mounted on the inner surface of the lower portion of the joystick cover and configured to detect a proximal change in capacitance in the electrode plating of the upper portion of the joystick cover
Data Source
AI summary
An interlocking system for a joystick in a catheter procedure system includes a joystick configured to generate a first voltage output signal based on a linear activation of the joystick and a second voltage output signal based on a rotational activation of the joystick. A joystick cover is disposed over the joystick and includes an upper portion having an electrode plating on an inner surface of the upper portion and a lower portion having an inner surface. A capacitive touch detection circuit is coupled to the electrode plating of the upper portion of the joystick cover and is mounted on the inner surface of the lower portion of the joystick cover. The capacitive touch detection circuit is configured to detect a proximal change in capacitance in the electrode plating of the upper portion of the joystick cover and to generate a touch output signal to indicate whether a change in capacitance has been detected. A signal enable circuit is coupled to the joystick and the capacitive touch detection circuit and is configured to generate a linear enable voltage output signal and a rotational enable voltage output signal based on whether a change in capacitance has been detected.