Medical Device Touch Panel Input Eliminates Rotating Member Gaps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices using rotating members as input devices face operability issues due to the ingress of viscous medical agents or foreign substances, which can cause the rotating member to become stuck, leading to decreased functionality.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an operation reception unit and a position acquisition unit that identifies operation inputs based on position changes, allowing for the adjustment of set values without the need for a physical rotating member, using detection regions and a control unit to manage these changes effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotating member such as a dial is used as an input device, then it is possible to increase or decrease the set value in accordance with the amount of rotation, but a gap is likely to be formed between the rotating member and the housing, leading to ingress of liquid or foreign substance that makes it difficult to rotate the rotating member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating dial system with a touch panel-based input system. The touch panel detects finger contact position and uses software algorithms to determine rotation direction and amount, eliminating the physical rotating member and its associated gaps that allow liquid ingress. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation through touch interface while eliminating the reliability issue of mechanical rotation resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating member is used to set values, then operational control is achieved, but the gap around the rotating member allows liquid ingress that deteriorates operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical dial rotation mechanism with an electronic touch panel system that tracks finger movement position changes. The system calculates rotation direction and magnitude based on sequential touch positions, providing equivalent value adjustment capability without the mechanical gaps that compromise operability. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability while improving ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a physical rotating dial is provided, then set value adjustment is possible, but foreign substance adhesion makes rotation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dial with a touch panel that detects finger contact position and calculates set value adjustments based on position changes. This electronic approach maintains precise set value control through software algorithms while eliminating the mechanical surfaces that adhere to foreign substances, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A medical device includes: an operation reception unit; a position acquisition unit capable of acquiring position information of a detection target that is in contact with or proximity to the operation reception unit, the position information being based on a position on the operation reception unit; and a control unit that identifies an operation input by the detection target on the basis of a change in the acquired position information.