Handheld Medical Remote Control with Status Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for medical apparatus, such as radiation therapy equipment, lack efficiency and safety, particularly in emergency situations, due to cumbersome verification procedures and potential misconnection issues when multiple devices are used in the same environment.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held apparatus combining a remote control device and a remote control enable device within a common housing, utilizing manually operable switches and wireless communication channels to ensure safe and efficient operation, where the remote control device is only powered and enabled when specific switches are closed simultaneously, allowing for secure and efficient control of medical apparatus operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If verification procedures are implemented to ensure correct communication between remote control device and medical apparatus, then safety is improved, but operation time and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs verification procedures in advance by continuously monitoring the operational status of the medical apparatus and pre-establishing communication channels. The control unit continuously checks whether the medical apparatus is in a state suitable for remote control before actual operation begins, so that when remote control is needed, verification is already complete or near-complete, reducing the time required at the moment of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote control devices are used in the same environment to control multiple medical equipment, then versatility is improved, but connection accuracy and safety deteriorate due to potential misconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The medical apparatus continuously feeds back its operational status and identification information to the control unit. The control unit compares this feedback information with the expected parameters for each remote control device. When a remote control device attempts to connect, the system verifies the apparatus's current state and confirms the correct pairing before allowing control, preventing misconnection even when multiple devices are present in the environment.
3Reliability
If remote control device is placed in a pre-defined location to enable control of certain processes, then safety is improved, but ease of operation and emergency response deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the remote control functionality based on the operational context. Instead of requiring the device to be in a fixed pre-defined location, the control unit continuously monitors the medical apparatus status and dynamically enables or disables remote control capabilities. This allows the operator to control the apparatus from various locations while maintaining safety through continuous status verification and conditional authorization.
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
Enhances safety and efficiency by ensuring correct device connection and operation, minimizing power consumption, and allowing remote control of medical apparatuses like rotating gantries with improved reaction times and reduced risk of misconnection.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless transmission means configured to transmit through a second wireless communication channel, a status signal related at least to the status of said one or more switches
Implementation Method 2
a remote control device configured to control said one or more operations of said medical apparatus through a first wireless communication channel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is firstly related to an apparatus for the remote control of a medical apparatus, comprising a wireless communication device for enabling said remote control, wherein the remote control enable device and the remote control device as such are incorporated in a common hand-held housing. The remote control enable device comprises a transmitter and one or more switches, actuatable by enable buttons. The buttons allow an operator to close the switch(es), which causes the sending by the transmitter of a status signal, i.e. a signal related to the status (open or closed) of the switch or switches, to a receiver that is configured to communicate said status signal to a control unit. The control unit verifies the signal on a number of criteria. When all required criteria have been met, remote control of the medical apparatus is allowed, said remote control being actuated from the remote control device. The invention is secondly related to an apparatus wherein the remote control enable device is equipped with a means to maintain the power supply to a transmitting chip sufficiently long upon opening a switch so that a check can be performed on the correct functioning of the switch after the switch has been opened.