Smart Handle Apparatus for Sterile C-Arm Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical surgery systems, particularly those with C-arms, manual operation by technicians is required to position the X-ray source and detector, leading to potential exposure of patients and staff to unwanted X-ray radiation due to the sterile environment and manual locking/unlocking of axes, which can be cumbersome and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A smart handle apparatus with a force determining device and button device that allows surgeons to control the C-arm movements intuitively, determining force direction and strength in three-dimensional space, enabling precise positioning without manual intervention by technicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual operation by technicians is used to position the C-arm, then the system can be operated in sterile environment, but radiation exposure increases and procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
A smart handle apparatus serves as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the C-arm system. The handle includes force determining devices that detect directional forces applied by the surgeon and translate them into controlled C-arm movements. This intermediary mechanism enables sterile operation while reducing radiation exposure by allowing precise positioning without repeated manual adjustments by non-sterile technicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical manual operation with a sensor-based force detection system. Force determining devices (such as strain gauges or capacitive sensors) detect the direction and magnitude of forces applied to the handle bar, substituting direct mechanical coupling with electronic sensing and control. This allows surgeons to operate from within the sterile field while the system automatically translates their inputs into precise C-arm positioning.
2Productivity
If manual locking and unlocking of C-arm axes is performed, then positioning can be achieved, but procedural time increases and errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The smart handle apparatus enables self-service operation where the surgeon directly controls C-arm positioning without requiring assistant technicians. The force determining devices automatically detect surgeon inputs and translate them into appropriate locking/unlocking and positioning actions. This self-service capability reduces procedural time by eliminating communication overhead and manual coordination while improving reliability through direct surgeon control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the force determining devices continuously monitor forces applied to the handle bar and provide real-time control signals to the C-arm positioning system. This closed-loop feedback ensures precise positioning by continuously adjusting the C-arm based on surgeon inputs, reducing positioning errors and minimizing the time required to achieve accurate positioning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If surgeons directly control the C-arm, then radiation exposure is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smart handle apparatus is designed as a universal control interface that integrates multiple functions: force detection in multiple directions, movement profile selection, and C-arm control. The single handle bar with force determining devices serves as a multi-functional controller that replaces multiple separate control mechanisms. This universal design reduces radiation exposure by enabling direct surgeon control while managing system complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges force detection capabilities in three-dimensional space into a single integrated handle apparatus. Multiple force determining devices are combined within the handle to detect forces along different axes, and these are integrated with movement profile selection and control signal generation. This merging approach enables comprehensive C-arm control from a single interface, reducing radiation exposure while consolidating complexity into one unified device rather than distributing it across multiple separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medical device (100) having smart handle apparatus allowing the operation of a medical device as intended by a user.