Proximity-Triggered Display for Radiotherapy Patient Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient support systems in radiotherapy environments require medical operatives to frequently shift between multiple locations, disrupting the clinical workflow due to inefficient operation and lack of integrated information display.

Innovation Solution

A patient support system with an electronic display region and proximity sensors that control information display based on the presence and location of medical personnel, providing relevant information and workflow guidance while minimizing unnecessary activation to conserve power and prevent accidental use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the electronic display region is continuously active to provide information to medical operatives, then information accessibility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic display region operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active and inactive states based on detected presence of medical personnel. The proximity sensor triggers the display to activate only when needed, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining information accessibility during operational periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the electronic display region is always active to prevent accidental use, then safety is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic sensing and activation cycles where the proximity sensor continuously monitors for presence, and the display activates only during detected presence periods. This periodic operation maintains safety by ensuring the display is active when personnel are nearby while consuming minimal power during absence periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If multiple display regions are activated simultaneously to provide comprehensive information, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddisplay control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patient support surface incorporates multiple independent electronic display regions with distinct functions (patient positioning information, treatment parameters, workflow instructions). Each region can be independently controlled and activated based on its specific purpose and the detected needs of the operative, allowing comprehensive information delivery without requiring all regions to be simultaneously active

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Speed

If the proximity sensor continuously monitors to detect personnel presence, then responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresponsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity sensor operates in periodic sampling cycles rather than continuous monitoring, checking for personnel presence at regular intervals. This periodic detection maintains system responsiveness to personnel approach while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enhances operational efficiency by presenting necessary information directly to the operative, simplifying clinical workflows, reducing power consumption, and preventing accidental interactions, thus improving the overall experience and safety in radiotherapy settings.

Implementation Method 1

one or more proximity sensors configured to provide signals indicative of the presence of a person or object in the vicinity of the patient support surface; The proximity sensor may be a sensor configured to detect the presence of an object without physical contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS20230329651A1Patient support system for use with a medical device

Publication Date: 2023.10.19 ELEKTA AB

AI summary

A patient support system for use with a medical device. The patient support system comprises a patient support surface comprising at least one electronic display region configured to display information; one or more proximity sensors configured to provide signals indicative of the presence of a person or object in the vicinity of the patient support surface; and a controller configured to control the information displayed on the at least one electronic display region based on signals received from the one or more proximity sensors.