Magnet Shield Cage for Implantable Drainage Valve Toolset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic toolsets for adjusting implantable bodily fluid drainage valves require recalibration and re-zeroing after setting adjustments, leading to increased procedural time and risk of human error due to residual magnetic fields from adjustment tools influencing sensor arrays.
Innovation Solution
An improved electronic toolset with a ferromagnetic system component enclosed in a magnet shield cage, preventing residual magnetic fields from affecting sensor arrays, allowing for direct confirmation of valve settings without the need for recalibration or re-zeroing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an adjustment tool with magnetic elements is used to change the valve setting, then the valve setting can be adjusted non-invasively, but residual magnetic fields may overload sensors or cause incorrect readings requiring recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful residual magnetic field effect is extracted and isolated from the sensor array by placing a ferromagnetic shield between them. The shield captures and contains the magnetic flux generated by the adjustment tool, preventing it from reaching and overloading the sensors, thus maintaining reading accuracy while preserving non-invasive adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
A ferromagnetic shield acts as an intermediary element between the adjustment tool and the sensor array. This intermediary component absorbs and redirects magnetic field lines, serving as a buffer that protects the sensors from magnetic overload while allowing the adjustment function to proceed normally
2Measurement precision
If recalibration and re-zeroing are performed after adjustment, then sensor accuracy is restored, but procedural time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The ferromagnetic shield is installed in advance within the toolset design, creating a permanent protective barrier. This preliminary protective measure prevents magnetic field interference before it can occur during adjustment operations, eliminating the need for post-adjustment recalibration and reducing procedural time
Solution Approach 2:
The ferromagnetic shield provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and containing magnetic flux before it can reach the sensors. This preventive measure protects the sensors from magnetic overload in advance, ensuring continuous accurate readings without requiring time-consuming recalibration procedures
3Reliability
If recalibration steps are added to ensure accurate reading, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complexity of recalibration procedures is extracted and eliminated by incorporating a ferromagnetic shield into the toolset design. The shield passively manages magnetic field interference through its material properties, replacing complex active recalibration steps with a simple passive protective structure
Solution Approach 2:
The ferromagnetic shield provides self-service by automatically managing magnetic field interference without requiring user intervention for recalibration. The shield's inherent ferromagnetic properties enable it to continuously contain and redirect magnetic flux, maintaining sensor accuracy autonomously throughout the adjustment process
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 solution reduces the impact of residual magnetic fields on sensor arrays, enabling accurate detection and confirmation of valve settings without the need for additional calibration steps, thus reducing procedural time and minimizing human error.
Implementation Method 1
An improved electronic toolset with a ferromagnetic system component enclosed in a magnet shield cage, preventing residual magnetic fields from affecting sensor arrays
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of using an electronic toolset for locating, reading, adjusting and confirming adjustment of an implantable bodily fluid drainage system without requiring recalibration following adjustment from a current valve setting to a new valve setting using an electronic toolset including an adjustment tool having a magnetic element and an indicator tool including a sensor array. The need to remove the electronic toolset from the patient to recalibrate or zero the sensor array prior to confirming the new valve setting is eliminated. This is realized by disposing a ferromagnetic system component of the indicator tool in a magnet shield cage (1715, 1720) made of a metallic alloy to prevent magnetic fields produced by a magnetic element in the adjustment tool during the adjusting step from influencing the sensor array.