Integrated Operating Room Configuration Using Anomaly Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated operating room configurations are static and do not dynamically adapt to changing procedures or equipment, failing to consider device combinations and measured values, leading to inefficiencies and manual adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A method for dynamic configuration using continuous data acquisition, anomaly detection, and artificial intelligence to identify deviations from historical data, allowing automatic or semi-automatic adjustments based on user inputs and device settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static configurations are used for integrated operating room settings, then device settings can be predefined for specific scenarios, but the system cannot adapt to new procedures or equipment changes without manual reconfiguration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to new procedures and equipmentVSAvoidcomplexity of manual configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static configuration system into a dynamic one by continuously monitoring device data and automatically adjusting settings based on detected anomalies. The system evolves from fixed presets to adaptive real-time reconfiguration, allowing the operating room environment to dynamically respond to procedural changes and equipment variations without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting deviations from normal operational patterns and autonomously adjusting device configurations to compensate for anomalies. This eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration by staff, as the system serves itself by identifying and correcting configuration issues based on continuous data monitoring and anomaly detection algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If multiple devices are integrated with numerous adjustable parameters, then comprehensive control and coordination are achieved, but the configuration task becomes excessively complex for staff

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of device configurationVSAvoidnumber of adjustable parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring device data and using anomaly detection to identify configuration issues. The system provides automatic feedback loops where detected anomalies trigger automated adjustments, reducing the complexity of manual configuration tasks while maintaining comprehensive control over multiple integrated devices through intelligent data-driven decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If comprehensive data is collected from devices and procedures, then accurate anomaly detection is enabled, but data processing and analysis become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of anomaly detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of data processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and focuses on specific critical parameters from the comprehensive device data that are most indicative of procedural anomalies. Rather than processing all available data equally, the system identifies and monitors key metrics that provide the highest value for anomaly detection, thereby maintaining high reliability while reducing the overall complexity of data processing through selective extraction of critical information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4697349A1Automatic op configuration using anomaly detection
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG
  • EP4697349A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4697349A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4697349A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods for the dynamic configuration of an integrated operating room comprising the continuous acquisition of data concerning device settings, device display, device performance, users, user actions and/or information concerning an ongoing medical procedure, the continuous determination of procedure situations based on the acquired data, the comparison of current device settings with device settings in corresponding procedure situations of comparable medical procedures, the determination of deviations of the current device settings from device settings in corresponding procedure situations of comparable medical procedures, and the determination of necessary adjustments to the current device settings to compensate for the deviations.