Sterile Surgical Interface for Wireless Medical Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgeons face challenges in operating medical apparatuses during surgeries due to the risk of bacterial contamination, requiring them to rely on staff members for non-sterile equipment operation, which can lead to communication issues and hinder smooth surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A medical work support system that includes a user interface apparatus detachably attached to surgical clothing, enabling wireless communication with medical apparatuses to allow surgeons to control medical devices like X-ray diagnostic apparatuses while maintaining a sterile environment, with systems for operation right decision, signal selection, and notification to prevent operational confusion and ensure sterile operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the surgeon operates the medical apparatus directly, then the surgical procedure efficiency is improved, but the risk of bacterial contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure efficiencyVSAvoidbacterial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A wireless communication system serves as an intermediary between the surgeon's sterile interface apparatus and the medical apparatus console. The surgeon operates the interface apparatus while maintaining sterile barriers, and wireless signals transmit control commands to the console without requiring physical contact, thus eliminating bacterial contamination risk while preserving operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (physical cables and direct console operation) with a wireless communication system. This substitution allows the surgeon to control the medical apparatus without mechanical contact, maintaining sterility while achieving the same operational functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the surgeon informs a staff member of the operation details, then the sterile environment is maintained, but the communication accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterile environment maintenanceVSAvoidcommunication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system acts as a direct intermediary between the surgeon and the medical apparatus, eliminating the need for verbal communication with staff members. The surgeon's commands are transmitted electronically without human interpretation, ensuring complete information accuracy while maintaining the sterile environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback to the surgeon through the interface apparatus, confirming that commands have been received and executed correctly. This real-time feedback loop eliminates communication errors that occur with verbal instructions to staff members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the console unit is wrapped with a sterile bag, then the bacterial contamination is prevented, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial contamination preventionVSAvoidconsole operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical operation of the console (which requires removing or manipulating sterile barriers) with wireless operation. The surgeon controls the medical apparatus through wireless signals from the interface apparatus, eliminating the need to physically handle the console or its sterile covering, thus maintaining both sterility and operational ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the surgeon moves to the console unit position, then the direct control is improved, but the surgical procedure smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect control capabilityVSAvoidsurgical procedure smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface apparatus provides universal control functionality for the medical apparatus while being portable and attachable to the surgeon's clothing. This allows the surgeon to maintain direct control capability through the wireless interface without needing to physically relocate to the console position, preserving surgical procedure smoothness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11116261B2Medical work support system, surgical clothing, and medical apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

A medical work support system according to an embodiment includes an interface apparatus, a reception unit, and a control unit. The interface apparatus accepts operation by the user, outputs a signal corresponding to the accepted operation, and is detachably attached to wearing clothing configured to be worn by the user. The reception unit receives a signal output from the interface apparatus. The control unit executes predetermined processing based on a reception signal received by the reception unit.