Multi-Angle Medical Instrument Scanning for Tilted Code Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inventorying medical instruments during surgical procedures rely on visual identification, leading to human error, decreased efficiency, and reduced accuracy due to manual orientation adjustments, making it challenging to manage a large number of instruments simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An automated medical instrument scanning device with a longitudinal and lateral read module system, utilizing multiple image capture units and light sources, captures images of medical instruments from different directions through a non-parallel angle configuration, enhancing scanning efficiency and accuracy by reading codes on tilted or non-flat instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual identification method is used to inventory medical instruments, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the accuracy and efficiency are reduced due to human error and manual orientation adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual identification with an automated scanning system that uses image capture units and light sources to capture and read codes on medical instruments, eliminating human error and manual orientation adjustments while improving accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multiple image capture units positioned at different angles (longitudinal and lateral read modules) to capture codes from various orientations, enabling the system to read codes on tilted or non-flat instruments without requiring manual repositioning
2Productivity
If manual orientation adjustment is required during identification, then the scanning process can accommodate different instrument positions, but the time consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple image capture units arranged at different angular positions (longitudinal and lateral read modules) to simultaneously capture codes from various orientations, eliminating the need for manual instrument repositioning and enabling parallel processing of multiple instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The automated scanning system continuously captures and processes codes without interruption, maintaining steady operational flow and eliminating the intermittent pauses required for manual orientation adjustments, thereby increasing inventory throughput
3Quantity of substance
If multiple medical instruments are inventoried simultaneously, then the inventory process becomes more efficient, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to the complexity of managing diverse instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple image capture units positioned at different angles (longitudinal and lateral read modules) to capture codes from various orientations simultaneously, enabling the system to handle diverse instrument positions and orientations without increasing operational difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system is designed to universally read codes on various types of medical instruments regardless of their orientation or position, with the multiple read modules capable of adapting to different instrument configurations through a unified processing system
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 device improves scanning capability and inventory accuracy by accurately reading codes on medical instruments from various orientations, replacing manual operations with automated processes, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing human error.
Implementation Method 1
The longitudinal read module includes at least one image capture unit and a light source
Implementation Method 2
An optical axis of the at least one image capture unit and a light axis of the light source are parallel to a first reference axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical instrument scanning device (100) includes a longitudinal read module (20) and at least one lateral read module (30). The longitudinal read module (20) includes at least one image capture unit (21) and a light source. An optical axis of the at least one image capture unit (21) and a light axis of the light source are parallel to a first reference axis (L1). The at least one lateral read module (30) is disposed next to the longitudinal read module (20) and includes at least one lateral image capture unit (31) and a lateral light source. An optical axis of the at least one lateral image capture unit (31) and a light axis of the lateral light source are parallel to a second reference axis (L2). An angle (θ) is provided between the first reference axis (L1) and the second reference axis (L2).