Medical Instrument Assembly Identification Across Multi-Port Control Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining which medical instrument is coupled with which port, connector, or channel of a control machine is a time-consuming and frustrating endeavor, especially with multiple instruments connected via separate cables, leading to confusion and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with indicators on both the control machine ports and instrument assemblies, which can include color-coded lights or RFID technology, to visually associate each instrument assembly with its corresponding port, facilitated by adapters that provide unique identification and control indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple medical instruments are coupled with a control machine via separate cables, then the control machine can perform multiple functions simultaneously, but determining which instrument is coupled with which port becomes time-consuming and confusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded indicators (LED lights) on both the control machine ports and instrument assemblies to create visual associations. Each port and its corresponding instrument assembly share the same color code, enabling rapid identification without manual tracing of cables. This directly resolves the time-consuming identification problem while preserving multi-instrument functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary identification system consisting of indicators on both the control machine side and instrument assembly side. These indicators act as mediators that bridge the connection between port and instrument, providing visual confirmation of coupling relationships without requiring physical inspection of cable connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are connected via separate cables to a control machine, then various medical procedures can be performed, but the system complexity and difficulty of tracking connections increase
Solution Approach 1:
By assigning distinct color codes to different port-instrument pairs, the patent transforms a complex tracking problem into a simple visual recognition task. The color-coded indicators reduce the cognitive load required to manage multiple instrument connections while maintaining the versatility to perform various medical procedures simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the identification system into two independent parts: indicators on the control machine ports and corresponding indicators on instrument assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to be independently identified and managed, simplifying the overall system complexity while supporting multiple simultaneous connections.
3Reliability
If traditional cable-based instrument coupling is used, then instrument functionality is maintained, but user frustration and operational inefficiency increase due to identification difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The color-coded indicator system maintains reliable instrument coupling by providing clear visual confirmation of correct connections. Users can quickly verify that each instrument is properly coupled to its designated port through matching color codes, eliminating frustration and operational inefficiency while preserving connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the indicators on both the control machine and instrument assembly provide real-time visual confirmation of the coupling status. This immediate feedback allows users to verify connections instantly, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable instrument coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include an assembly that includes a connector, a medical instrument, an instrument indicator, and a memory device. The system can further include a control machine that includes a first port, a second port, and a controller. The controller can, when the connector of the assembly is attached to the first port, obtain the stored information from the memory device; make a determination based on the stored information that the assembly comprises the instrument indicator; in response to said determination, control a first port indicator to display light of a first color and control a second port indicator to display light of a second color that is different from the first color; control the instrument indicator to display light of the first color; and control the medical instrument to perform a function for treatment of a patient.