Medical Scope Button System with Touch Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscope systems face challenges in user control, particularly during procedures where operators need to confirm button configurations without interrupting their view, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to the need to look away from the display to identify buttons.
Innovation Solution
Integration of touch sensors and button press sensors on the endoscope buttons, which provide feedback through a display indicating the function of the button being touched, allowing operators to confirm button presses without looking away, enhancing both safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If buttons are positioned outside the grip region for ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the operator cannot confirm button location through tactile feedback without looking away from the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual feedback system where the display device shows which button is being touched or pressed. When the operator touches a button, the system provides visual confirmation on the display, allowing the operator to confirm button location and function without looking away from the display, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If button functions are reconfigured for different modes, then adaptability is improved, but the need to test button functions slows down the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary testing automatically when a button is touched. The visual feedback on the display shows the operator which function will be activated before the button is actually pressed. This allows the operator to verify button configuration without performing actual function tests, maintaining adaptability while improving procedure efficiency
3Device complexity
If the number of buttons is reduced to minimize complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the likelihood of accidental button press increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual feedback system allows the operator to see exactly which button is being touched before pressing it. This confirmation mechanism reduces accidental button presses by ensuring the operator intends to press the selected button, thereby maintaining reliability even with a reduced number of buttons
4Measurement precision
If the operator looks at the display to confirm button location, then button identification accuracy is improved, but attention to the procedure is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the button feedback information with the procedure display. The visual confirmation of button location and function is overlaid or integrated into the existing display that the operator is already viewing during the procedure. This allows the operator to confirm button identification without diverting attention from the procedure, maintaining both accuracy and continuity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for improved control feedback of medical scopes. Buttons on a scope include both touch sensors and button press sensors. The touch sensors activate independently of a button press when a mere touch is applied to the button, causing a function indication to be displayed, preferably on the scope video display, showing which function will activate if the button is pressed. Touch indications may also be displayed identifying the button that is pressed. The buttons may be reconfigured along with the function and touch indications. Such a feedback scheme allows improved operation and safety as the operator does not need to look away from the display to identify a button to be pressed.