Operator-Sensing Input Control for Accidental Medical Device Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive medical procedures using steerable elongate devices pose risks of accidental actuation, potentially causing undesirable damage to patient tissue due to inadvertent operation of the master assembly.
Innovation Solution
A control system with an input device and sensors to detect operator presence and displacement, preventing control signal generation when the detected displacement exceeds a threshold while the operator is present, and adjusting velocity limits based on sensor feedback to ensure safe device movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the master assembly is made easily operable for minimally invasive procedures, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of inadvertent actuation and tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of operator presence and intentional input verification before allowing device actuation. The capacitive sensor detects operator presence in advance, and the system requires confirmation of intentional input through velocity and displacement analysis before generating control signals, preventing inadvertent activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors input device velocity, displacement, and operator presence, comparing these parameters against predefined thresholds. This feedback mechanism allows the system to distinguish between intentional operator inputs and inadvertent movements, enabling safe operation by only responding to confirmed intentional commands.
2Reliability
If velocity limits are reduced to prevent accidental movement, then safety is improved, but the productivity of the procedure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts velocity limits based on real-time detection of operator presence and input characteristics. When intentional operator input is detected through capacitive sensing and velocity analysis, the system permits higher velocities for efficient procedure execution. When no operator presence is detected or inadvertent movement is identified, velocity limits are reduced to prevent accidental tissue damage.
3Reliability
If sensor-based detection is added to distinguish intentional from unintentional inputs, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The input device serves multiple functions: it detects operator presence through capacitive sensing, measures displacement through encoders, and generates control signals for device actuation. By integrating these functions into a single unified system rather than separate components, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability through multi-parameter monitoring.
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
Reduces the risk of unintended tissue damage by distinguishing between intentional and unintentional inputs, ensuring precise and safe operation of medical devices during minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the operator-detection sensor may comprise a capacitive sensor configured to detect when the operator is in physical contact with the input device
Implementation Method 2
a motion sensor associated with the input device and that may be configured to detect a displacement distance of the input device
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises: an input device to generate commands for controlling a medical device; and an operator-detection sensor to generate sensor data indicating an operator's presence/absence at the input device. Movement of the medical device is controlled based on a comparison of the data with a baseline and a command line. The medical device is not moved when a comparison with a first baseline indicates the operator's absence, and the device is moved when a comparison with a first command line indicates the operator's presence. A triggering event is detected for a calibration procedure, which comprises establishing a second baseline associated with the operator's absence and establishing a second command line associated with the operator's presence. The medical device is not moved when a comparison with the second baseline indicates the operator's absence, and the device is moved when a comparison with the second command line indicates the operator's presence.