Thermal Therapy Actuator Control Through Deformation Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical devices with movably mounted actuators, such as pedals, are prone to mechanical wear, contamination, and environmental influences, leading to functional impairment and increased maintenance and repair costs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses a sensor to detect deformation of a fixed actuating element, generating a control signal based on the deformation, and controlling actuators without movable elements, thereby reducing mechanical wear and design effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If movably mounted actuating elements (pedals, push-buttons) are used to control actuators, then the device can be operated manually, but mechanical wear and contamination lead to functional impairment and increased maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation capabilityVSAvoidfunctional reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pedal actuation system with an optical sensing system. A light source illuminates a reflective element on the actuating element, and a sensor detects changes in the reflected light pattern when the actuating element is pressed. This optical detection method eliminates mechanical contact and wear while maintaining manual operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reflective element as an intermediary between the actuating element and the sensor. The reflective element modulates the light signal based on the deformation of the actuating element, allowing indirect detection of the pressing action without direct mechanical contact between the sensor and the actuating element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If movably mounted actuating elements are used, then manual control is enabled, but contamination and environmental influences increase maintenance and repair costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual control capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance and repair costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If movable actuating elements are used, then operation is possible, but design complexity and manufacturing effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation capabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sensing function from the mechanical actuating element itself. Instead of having the actuating element directly trigger a switch or sensor through mechanical contact, the reflective element is added to convert the mechanical deformation into an optical signal that can be detected by the sensor, simplifying the overall mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the robustness and durability of actuator systems, simplifies manufacturing, maintenance, and reduces costs by eliminating the need for movable actuating elements and providing reliable actuator control.

Implementation Method 1

Deformation can be understood, in particular, as a (reversible) elastic deformation. The deformation can be determined, for example, based on a (positive or negative) change in at least one of the following electrical quantities detectable by the sensor, which can depend directly or indirectly on the deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The sensor, for example in the form of one or more strain gauges, to be applied with a bias voltage so that the sensor signal is always positive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain gauge effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4609796A1Method for controlling the actuation system of a thermal therapy device

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 LOWENSTEIN MEDICAL TECH SA

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AI summary

A method for controlling an actuator (15) of a medical device (3) comprises: receiving a sensor signal (11) that indicates a deformation of an actuating element (7) detected by a sensor (9) when it is actuated by a foot and/or a hand; generating a control signal (17) for controlling the actuator (15) using the sensor signal (11).