Secondary Control Interface for Medical Function Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated medical function control systems face challenges in maintaining independent operation of medical function units, particularly when the primary integrated control interface is inoperable due to communication or power losses, which can disrupt critical medical functions during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical function control system with a primary integrated control interface and secondary control interfaces that are operably coupled to medical function units, allowing the secondary interfaces to take over and maintain control independently in case of primary interface failure, with redundant user interface features and control logic to ensure continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a primary integrated control interface is used to control multiple medical function units, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when communication or power losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing each medical function unit with its own dedicated secondary control interface that operates independently. This allows localized control capability at each function unit level, ensuring that control can be maintained even when the primary integrated interface fails. The secondary interfaces have the specific quality of being able to operate autonomously without relying on the central control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring secondary control interfaces at each medical function unit before any failure occurs. These interfaces are prepared in advance with the capability to take over control functions, so that when communication or power losses happen at the primary interface, the system can immediately switch to the pre-prepared secondary interfaces without disruption to critical medical functions.
2Reliability
If secondary control interfaces are added to each medical function unit, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the control system into independent modular units, where each medical function unit has its own secondary control interface. This segmentation isolates control capabilities at the unit level, allowing individual interfaces to operate independently. The complexity is distributed across multiple simple modular units rather than concentrated in a single complex centralized system, making the overall system more reliable while keeping individual components manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary control interfaces are designed with universality, capable of performing multiple functions including local control of their respective medical function units and serving as backup control interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate backup systems, as the secondary interfaces can handle both primary and backup roles, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If redundant control interfaces are implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of information increases due to potential communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing communication protocols and data synchronization mechanisms between the primary integrated control interface and the secondary control interfaces before any failure occurs. This ensures that critical operational information is already available at the secondary interfaces, so when the primary interface fails, no information loss occurs during the transition to backup control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the secondary control interfaces continuously monitor the operational status of the primary integrated control interface. When communication failures or power losses are detected, the feedback loop triggers automatic switching to the secondary interfaces. This real-time feedback ensures that information about system status is maintained and transmitted appropriately, preventing information loss during failover events.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a medical function unit comprising a connector interface configured to be operably coupled to control a medical function of a medical instrument, a control system operably coupled to control the medical function unit, a first user interface and a second user interface each operably coupled to the control system. The first user interface comprises one or more first control settings mapping to one or more corresponding settings of the medical function unit. The second user interface comprises one or more second control settings mapping to the one or more corresponding settings of the medical function. The second user interface is operable during a condition of the first user interface being inoperable.