Touch Screen Mode Switching for X-Ray Cleaning Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch screens on x-ray apparatuses fail to meet hygiene and safety requirements, as they are not designed to allow for safe and simple operation, particularly in medical settings where frequent cleaning and disinfection are necessary without risking unintentional input of data or commands.
Innovation Solution
The touch screen operates in two modes: a normal mode for input and a cleaning mode that is insensitive to touching or only responsive to a predetermined termination input, allowing for safe cleaning and disinfection without shutting down the system, with optional time-based activation and visual indicators for user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the touch screen remains sensitive during cleaning, then cleaning can be performed without shutting down the system, but unintentional data input or commands may be triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen dynamically changes its sensitivity state based on the operational mode. In cleaning mode, the touch screen is configured to be insensitive to touching, preventing unintentional input while allowing physical cleaning. The controller switches between sensitive and insensitive states depending on whether the system is in normal operation or cleaning mode, resolving the contradiction between maintaining system availability and preventing erroneous inputs.
2Reliability
If the touch screen is made insensitive to touching during cleaning, then unintentional input is prevented, but the system must be shut down to activate cleaning mode
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches touch sensitivity based on mode without requiring complete shutdown. The controller can activate cleaning mode while the system remains operational, allowing the touch screen to be insensitive during cleaning but responsive during normal operation. This resolves the contradiction by making the insensitivity state conditional rather than requiring system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service functionality by allowing cleaning mode to be activated through automatic detection (e.g., when the x-ray tube is in a predetermined position) or user input without requiring full system shutdown. The touch screen serves itself by adapting its sensitivity state based on system conditions, maintaining productivity while ensuring reliability during cleaning.
3Ease of operation
If the touch screen is always sensitive, then user input is convenient, but hygiene and safety requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen transitions between sensitive and insensitive states based on operational mode. During normal operation, the touch screen is sensitive for convenient user input. During cleaning mode, it becomes insensitive to prevent contamination risks and ensure safety. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and hygiene compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensitivity parameter of the touch screen is changed based on operational conditions. The controller adjusts the touch sensitivity from high (sensitive) during normal operation to low (insensitive) during cleaning mode. This parameter change allows the system to meet hygiene and safety requirements while maintaining ease of operation when appropriate.
4Reliability
If the touch screen is made insensitive during cleaning, then cleaning can proceed safely, but additional mode switching complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when cleaning mode should be activated based on predetermined conditions, such as the x-ray tube position. This self-service approach reduces the need for manual mode switching and simplifies the user interface. The controller monitors system state and automatically switches touch sensitivity accordingly, maintaining cleaning safety without adding significant complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing touch screen and controller are designed to serve multiple functions: normal operation input, cleaning mode activation, and automatic mode switching. By integrating cleaning mode functionality into the existing touch screen infrastructure rather than adding separate controls, the patent minimizes additional complexity while ensuring cleaning safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a touch screen (10) for an x-ray apparatus, a system comprising an x-ray apparatus and an according touch screen (10) as well as a method for operating an according touch screen (10) comprising a controller designed to activate a first mode (1) of the touch screen (10), wherein in the first mode (1) the touch screen (10) is sensitive to receive an input by means of touching the touch screen (10). The controller is further designed to activate a second mode (2) of the touch screen (10'), wherein in the second mode (2) the touch screen (10') is insensitive to any touching or the touch screen (10') is only sensitive to a predetermined termination input upon which the second mode (2) is terminated. By means of the invention, during activation of the second mode (2) cleaning and disinfection of the touch screen (10') can be performed without risking unintentional input and without the need of shutting down the whole system. Therefore, the invention allows for a safe and simple operation of an x-ray apparatus.