Medical Device Input Feedback Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices face challenges in providing a secure and efficient input reception system, often requiring redundant detection systems and limited resolution on resistive touchscreens, which increases component and development costs.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with an input unit that receives user input and a feedback unit that provides immediate haptic, acoustic, or optical feedback, eliminating the need for redundant detection systems and allowing for customizable feedback based on input type and user preference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a resistive touchscreen is used to receive user input, then the device can capture user inputs, but the resolution for defining input areas is limited and multiple displays must be switched between

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput area resolutionVSAvoidnumber of displays
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touchscreen is divided into multiple input zones or regions, each capable of receiving different types of inputs. This segmentation allows the single display to provide multiple functions without requiring switching between multiple displays, thereby improving input area resolution while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a redundant or diverse capture system is used to ensure high reliability for receiving inputs, then input reception reliability is improved, but the demand for components and software increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput reception reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback mechanism is implemented that provides immediate confirmation to the user when an input is successfully received and processed. This feedback loop ensures high reliability of input reception without requiring redundant capture systems, as the feedback confirmation eliminates the need for multiple backup input detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If no feedback is provided to confirm input reception, then the device operation is simpler, but user security and confirmation of input are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser securityVSAvoidfeedback system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism that provides immediate confirmation to the user when an input is successfully received. This feedback ensures high user security and input confirmation while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, as the feedback uses existing display and processing components rather than adding complex separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4552670A1Medical device with audible and/or haptic and/or optical feedback
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
  • EP4552670A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4552670A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4552670A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A medical device as disclosed (1) comprises an input unit (20) configured to receive an input actuation (16) made by a user (18) to operate the medical device (1), and a feedback unit (32) configured to provide the user (18) with haptic feedback (28) and/or acoustic feedback (30) and/or optical feedback (31) in response to the input actuation (16).