Remote Controlled Medical Instrument Sterility and Usage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices lack control over limited-use instruments, often resulting in premature discard due to irreversible locking systems and potential safety and efficacy issues when reused excessively.
Innovation Solution
Development of medical instruments encased in sterile packaging that allows for remote enabling and disabling through communication with a remote control device, maintaining sterility and controlling usage without breaching the packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional irreversible locking systems (such as fuses) are used to limit device reuse, then safety and reliability are improved by preventing excessive use, but device complexity increases and fully functional devices are discarded prematurely causing loss of substance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static irreversible locking systems to dynamic reversible control. The medical device incorporates a control circuit that can be remotely programmed to change its state between enabled and disabled, allowing the device to be reused multiple times while maintaining safety limits. This dynamic control eliminates premature discard of functional devices while ensuring reliability through programmable usage constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of device state from fixed (irreversible fuse) to variable (programmable enabled/disabled state). The control circuit responds to remote signals that alter its operational parameters, enabling the device to transition between functional and non-functional states without physical damage. This allows precise control over device reuse while preventing excessive use, resolving the contradiction between reliability and waste reduction.
2Ease of operation
If physical connection methods are used to control limited-use medical devices, then direct control is achieved, but sterility is compromised due to breaching the sterile barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication system that enables control without physical contact. The control circuit within the sterile medical device receives programming signals through the sterile barrier via wireless transmission, eliminating the need to breach the barrier for device control or status verification. This intermediary communication method maintains sterility while enabling comprehensive device control and monitoring.
3Reliability
If limited-use medical devices are designed for single use, then safety is improved by preventing reuse, but productivity decreases due to premature discard of still-functional devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control circuit continuously monitors device usage and communicates status to external systems. This feedback enables real-time tracking of device utilization, allowing authorities to make informed decisions about device reuse based on actual functional status and usage patterns. The system provides feedback on whether the device has reached its safe usage limit, enabling optimized utilization that maintains safety while improving productivity through appropriate reuse.
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely controlled medical instrument enhances safety and reliability. The medical instrument may be remotely enabled (unlocked) or disabled (locked). The medical instrument may be intended for limited-use. The medical instrument may be enclosed within a medical packaging and subsequently sterilized. After the medical instrument is determined to meet desired specifications, a remote control device may remotely enable the medical instrument. The remote control device may remotely enable the medical instrument through the sterile barrier and without making direct contact with the medical instrument such that the medical instrument remains sterilized. The non-contact interaction between the medical instrument and the remote control device may be via infrared, electromagnetic, magnetic, or other non-contact communication techniques. The remote control device may remotely disable the medical instrument. The remote controller may transmit a key code to prevent the inadvertent and/or unauthorized enabling or disabling of the limited-use medical device.