Ambulatory Remote Control Locking Mechanism for Inadvertent Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote controls for ambulatory medical devices are prone to inadvertent actuation, leading to undesirable delivery of medication or stimulation energy due to accidental button presses, especially when carried by patients or stored in pockets or purses.
Innovation Solution
Design of remote controls with a movable button control element that can be locked and unlocked, preventing signal transmission unless the user intentionally activates the button, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidental presses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a remote control is made portable and carryable by patients, then ease of operation and patient autonomy are improved, but the risk of inadvertent actuation and unintended therapy delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control requires the user to perform a preliminary action (pressing and holding the control element for a predetermined time period) before the button becomes active. This preliminary action ensures intentional use and prevents accidental activation when the remote is carried in pockets or purses.
Solution Approach 2:
The button control element transitions between different states (inactive/locked and active/unlocked) based on the duration of the press. The system dynamically changes the button's functionality from non-responsive to responsive after detecting sustained pressure, thereby adapting to user intent while preventing accidental activation.
2Ease of operation
If a button control element is made easily pressable, then ease of operation is improved, but the likelihood of accidental presses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires a preliminary action of pressing and holding the button for a predetermined time period before it becomes active. This time-based gatekeeping mechanism maintains ease of intentional operation while filtering out accidental presses that do not sustain the required duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through LED indicators that change color or illuminate to show when the button is in an active state versus an inactive state. This visual feedback helps users confirm intentional activation and understand the system's response to their input, reducing accidental operation.
3Productivity
If the remote control transmits signals immediately upon button press, then productivity and response time are improved, but the risk of unintended therapy delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
Before signal transmission can occur, the user must perform a preliminary action of pressing and holding the button for a predetermined time period. This delay mechanism ensures that only intentional commands are transmitted, preventing unintended therapy delivery while maintaining rapid response once the intentional command is confirmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a preliminary anti-action by blocking signal transmission during the initial phase of button press. Only after the button is held for the predetermined time period does the system permit signal transmission, thereby preemptively preventing unintended therapy delivery while allowing rapid response to confirmed intentional commands.
Data Source
AI summary
Remote controls including a first button, a second button, transmission means, associated with the housing, for transmitting a signal to the ambulatory infusion device, and a controller associated with the housing and adapted to prevent signal transmission by the transmission means unless the second button has been actuated, to allow signal transmission by the transmission means in response to actuation of the second button, and to control the transmission means to transmit a signal in response to the first button being pressed concurrently with actuation of the second button or during a predetermined period after actuation of the second button.