MR Safe Touchscreen Display with Segmented Shielding Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touchscreen displays in MRI environments face challenges due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and the need for gloved operation, which complicates design and increases costs, especially with the use of resistive technology, and existing shielding methods are inadequate for larger screens.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic resonance (MR) safe touchscreen display is developed with a laminated film combining high and low frequency shielding layers, a bus bar for conductive coupling, and etching to enhance shielding, allowing for larger, bezel-free, and easier-to-clean designs while reducing EMI and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If resistive technology touchscreen is used to enable gloved operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and EMI shielding difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegloved operation capabilityVSAvoidEMI shielding design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding is segmented into two distinct functional layers: a first shielding layer for EMI shielding and a second shielding layer for EMI shielding with different characteristics. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for specific frequency ranges or shielding requirements, reducing the overall complexity of achieving comprehensive shielding while maintaining resistive touchscreen functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite shielding structures combining different materials and layer configurations. The first and second shielding layers may use different conductive materials, mesh densities, or film compositions to achieve optimal EMI shielding performance across various frequency ranges while maintaining compatibility with resistive touchscreen operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If stainless steel mesh shielding is used on small displays, then EMI shielding is improved, but light loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMI shielding effectivenessVSAvoidlight transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the shielding structure may have different properties: the first shielding layer and second shielding layer can have different mesh densities, conductive material compositions, or thicknesses optimized for their specific functions. This allows optimal EMI shielding in certain areas while maintaining better light transmission in others, addressing the local quality requirements of both shielding and display visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If shield layer is added to reduce EMI, then EMI shielding is improved, but device weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMI radiation reductionVSAvoiddisplay weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes thin film shielding layers that provide effective EMI shielding with minimal weight addition. The first and second shielding layers can be implemented as flexible films or meshes that conform to the display structure, providing protection against EMI while adding negligible weight compared to traditional rigid shielding materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If bezel is added for environmental sealing, then reliability is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental seal integrityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional bezel structure that creates cleaning difficulties. Instead, environmental sealing is achieved through alternative means such as sealed edges, adhesive barriers, or integrated sealing structures that eliminate the need for a separate bezel, thereby maintaining reliability while improving cleaning accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 effective EMI shielding, enabling larger touchscreen displays for MRI environments with reduced light loss, increased transmissivity, and lower production costs, while allowing for gloved operation and easier cleaning, thus improving patient monitoring and image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a film that has a high frequency shielding layer and a low frequency shielding layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3080630B1Low cost magnetic resonance safe touchscreen display
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3080630B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3080630B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3080630B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A magnetic resonance (MR) safe touchscreen display (10) includes a touchscreen(16) and a film (30, 32) that has a high frequency shielding layer (20, 28) and a low frequency shielding layer (18, 26). A bus bar (14) conductively couples the low frequency shielding layer (18, 26) to the high frequency shielding layer (20, 28) around a perimeter of a face of the film (30, 32) and the edge of the film (30, 32). The film (30, 32) is adjacent to a rear face of the touchscreen(16). The bus bar (14) facilitates the connection of the touchscreen(16) and layers (18, 20) to the display (12) to form a Faraday cage around the display components contained within the display housing (11).