Rotatable Manipulation Ring Consolidates Imaging Adjustments
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing medical imaging apparatuses face challenges in miniaturization and weight reduction due to the need for separate manipulation rings for focus, zoom, and exposure adjustments, which complicates the design and increases size and weight.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging apparatus with a single manipulation ring that includes a detection unit, a calculation unit, and a function switch unit, allowing for the execution of multiple functions such as focus and exposure adjustments based on rotation direction and angle, eliminating the need for multiple rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate manipulation rings are provided for each adjustment function (focus, zoom, exposure), then each function can be adjusted independently and precisely, but the device size and weight increase, and miniaturization is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple adjustment functions (focus, zoom, exposure) into a single manipulation ring. The ring integrates multiple operation regions that can perform different functions based on the detection unit's identification, eliminating the need for separate rings for each function and reducing overall device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The single manipulation ring is designed with multi-functionality to perform focus adjustment, zoom adjustment, and exposure adjustment. The detection unit identifies which function region is being manipulated and executes the corresponding function, allowing one ring to replace multiple specialized rings.
2Ease of operation
If separate manipulation rings are provided for each adjustment function, then each function has dedicated control, but the device complexity increases and miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple dedicated control functions are merged into a single manipulation ring with distinct operation regions. Each region corresponds to a specific function (focus, zoom, exposure), and the detection unit identifies the active region to execute the appropriate function, reducing component count while maintaining dedicated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The single manipulation ring is segmented into multiple operation regions, each responsible for a specific function. This segmentation allows the ring to provide dedicated control for each function while remaining a unified component, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple manipulation rings are used for different functions, then precise adjustment for each function is achieved, but the apparatus structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple adjustment mechanisms into a single manipulation ring with multiple operation regions. Each region maintains the precision required for its specific function (focus, zoom, exposure) while the integrated structure simplifies the apparatus overall by eliminating the need for multiple separate rings and their associated mounting structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical apparatus includes: a casing that forms an exterior, a single manipulation ring rotatably provided on an outer surface of the casing, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to detect rotation of the single manipulation ring; calculate a rotation direction and a rotation angle of the single manipulation ring based on a detection result; execute a first function or a second function depending on the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the single manipulation ring calculated, wherein the first function is a different type of adjustment than the second function; and switch a function executed by the control circuitry to the first function or the second function.