Medical Apparatus Accessory Identification Sensor

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical apparatuses face challenges in reliably recognizing and managing accessory components, leading to potential operating errors and complications due to the complexity of these components.

Innovation Solution

A medical apparatus with a basic unit and accessory components that include an information carrier providing component-specific information, a sensor for reading this information, and a controller for identification and active collision monitoring, ensuring safe and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If accessory components are coupled to the basic unit, then the functionality and versatility of the medical apparatus is improved, but the device complexity and risk of operating errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification and verification of accessory components through sensors and controllers before allowing operation. The controller reads identification information from the accessory component and verifies compatibility, preventing incorrect couplings before they can cause errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user through a display device indicating whether the coupled accessory component is valid, compatible, and properly positioned. This feedback loop enables the user to correct improper couplings and ensures safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If accessory components are coupled to the basic unit, then the versatility of the medical apparatus is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential operating errors

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoidoperating safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification and verification of accessory components through sensors and controllers before allowing operation. The controller reads identification information from the accessory component and verifies compatibility, preventing incorrect couplings before they can cause errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user through a display device indicating whether the coupled accessory component is valid, compatible, and properly positioned. This feedback loop enables the user to correct improper couplings and ensures safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If an information carrier is added to the accessory component, then the identification reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification reliabilityVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual identification methods with automated optical or electromagnetic sensing. The sensor automatically reads the information carrier (such as a barcode, RFID tag, or other machine-readable code) on the accessory component, eliminating the need for manual verification and reducing structural complexity despite adding the information carrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reliable identification and monitoring of accessory components, preventing collisions and providing user instructions, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of the surgical process.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor (11) configured to read-out the information concerning the accessory component (7, 8) coupled to the basic unit (2) from the information carrier (10)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3570290B1Medical apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.04.02 BAXTER MEDICAL SYST GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

A medical apparatus (1) comprising a basic unit (2) comprising a coupling point (6), an accessory component (7, 8) to be coupled to the coupling point (6), and a controller (9). The accessory component (7, 8) comprises an information carrier (10) including information concerning the accessory component (7, 8). The basic unit (2) comprises a sensor (11) configured to read-out the information concerning the accessory component (7, 8) coupled to the basic unit (2) from the information carrier (10), and the controller (9) is configured to identify the accessory component (7, 8) by the read-out information.