Medical Device Control System for Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of medical electromechanical devices with diverse electronic controllers and communication protocols makes programming and ensuring failure-free operation challenging, particularly in the healthcare sector where reliability is critical.
Innovation Solution
A control system that translates high-level instructions from host computers into batches of commands executable by electronic controllers, collects performance data to predict potential failures, and optimizes device operation by managing batches of commands and updating software/hardware without affecting host computer performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If host computer systems directly control multiple medical devices with diverse protocols, then device control capability is improved, but programming complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary between the host computer system and multiple medical devices. This control system translates high-level instructions from the host into device-specific commands, eliminating the need for the host to directly implement diverse communication protocols. The control system acts as a mediator that handles protocol conversion and device-specific logic, thereby reducing programming complexity while maintaining versatile device control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed as a universal interface that can control multiple types of medical devices with different protocols through a single standardized interface. Rather than requiring the host computer system to be configured separately for each device type, the control system provides multi-functional capability to handle diverse devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Speed
If host computer systems directly manage device operation, then real-time control is improved, but system reliability decreases due to potential host failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality by separating the host computer system from the actual device control operations. The control system runs independently on separate hardware, creating a segmented architecture where the host handles high-level management while the control system handles real-time device control. This segmentation ensures that host failures do not directly impact device operation, thereby improving reliability while maintaining real-time control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves as an intermediary layer that buffers between the host computer system and medical devices. This intermediary architecture allows the control system to maintain device control even when the host is unavailable, while still enabling real-time control through its independent operation. The mediator structure thus improves reliability by preventing host failures from propagating to device operations.
3Reliability
If comprehensive performance monitoring is implemented, then failure prediction capability is improved, but data processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors device performance parameters and stores historical data in advance, preparing the information needed for failure prediction. By performing preliminary data collection and organization, the system reduces the processing load during actual failure analysis, as the data is already structured and ready for evaluation. This preliminary action enables effective failure prediction without imposing excessive processing demands during critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system autonomously monitors its own operation and the operation of connected devices, collecting performance data without requiring external intervention. This self-service monitoring capability allows the system to maintain comprehensive performance tracking while managing its own data processing requirements efficiently, reducing the need for additional processing resources.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system, a control method, and a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer executable program code for controlling a set of electro-mechanical medical devices records is disclosed herein. The method comprises: receiving by a control system an instruction to be executed by an electromechanical medical device of the set; translating the received instruction into a batch of commands parsable by an electronic controller of the electromechanical device; and sending the batch of commands from the control system to the electromechanical medical device.