Collision Protection for Medical Device Cover Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical examination and treatment devices with complex-shaped cover panels face challenges in implementing effective collision protection systems due to their complex geometry, making it difficult to incorporate central collision sensors and adhere to precise adjustment and overrun paths, resulting in costly and mechanically vulnerable substructures.

Innovation Solution

A medical examination and treatment device with a collision protection system featuring spring elements between two plates, allowing flexible attachment and reliable collision detection, using modular inserts with various components such as switching elements, gyrosensors, and piezoelectric elements to absorb and detect forces, torques, and limit movements, enabling flexible assembly and configuration for specific applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional collision protection devices with central sensor systems are used, then high degree of protection from accidental collisions is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision protectionVSAvoidhousing geometry and substructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover panel is divided into multiple individual elements that can be independently attached to the base body. Each element can be equipped with simple collision sensors, avoiding the need for a complex central sensor system. This segmentation allows flexible adaptation to complex geometries while maintaining collision protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor systems with electronic sensors that can be integrated into the cover panel elements. This substitution simplifies the mechanical substructure while maintaining reliable collision detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Shape

If cover panel members of complex geometry are used, then design flexibility is improved, but ease of manufacture and sensor integration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover panel geometryVSAvoidsensor integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the cover panel into standardized elements, the patent enables complex overall geometries to be achieved through simple individual components. Each element can be manufactured independently and attached to the base body, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover panel elements are designed as universal components that can be used in various configurations to create different complex geometries. This universality simplifies manufacturing by using standardized parts while still achieving the required complex shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If precise adherence to adjustment and overrun paths is enforced, then collision detection precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision detectionVSAvoidadjustment mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover panel elements are designed to automatically return to their initial position after collision detection without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms. The elements self-regulate their position, simplifying the overall system while maintaining precise collision detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable collision protection system that can be implemented on complex-shaped cover panels, effectively detecting collisions and disconnecting drives to prevent excessive forces, while maintaining mechanical damping and precise control over movements.

Implementation Method 1

Spring elements (4, 5) are disposed between the two plates (2, 3). The spring elements provide mechanical damping of impacts or collisions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The spring elements provide mechanical damping of impacts or collisions, while at the same time the collision may be detected by the integrated sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

modular inserts with various components such as switching elements, gyrosensors, and piezoelectric elements to absorb and detect forces, torques, and limit movements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9797790B2Medical examination and/or treatment device

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A medical examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device is provided. The medical examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device includes a cover panel. The cover panel includes a sensor for detecting a collision. The sensor includes a first plate mounted on the examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device, and a second plate mounted on the inside of the cover panel and spaced apart from the first plate. Spring elements are disposed between the first plate and the second plate.