Tray Management System Using Weight and Video Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inventory management systems fail to effectively track and manage missing tools in real-time, particularly in medical and surgical settings, leading to potential Foreign Object Damage (FOD) and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A tray management system that uses a combination of weighing sensors and image sensors to detect weight discrepancies and capture video segments, identifying missing tools by comparing pre- and post-use weights and analyzing video footage to determine tool removal and placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking of surgical tools is used, then the system is simple, but real-time detection of missing tools is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines weight-based detection (scale) and visual detection (image sensor/camera) into a unified tray management system. The weight sensor detects when a tool is removed from the tray, while the image sensor captures video footage to identify which specific tool is missing. This merging of multiple detection methods enables real-time monitoring without requiring complex individual systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary processing unit that receives data from both the weight sensor and image sensor, processes this information together, and generates alerts about missing tools. This intermediary component integrates the simple inputs from basic sensors to produce the sophisticated real-time detection capability, avoiding the need for each sensor to be independently complex.
2Loss of information
If weight-based detection is used, then missing tools are detected, but the specific identity of missing tools cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between weight detection and tool identification. When the weight sensor detects a weight change indicating a missing tool, the image sensor captures video footage that is processed to identify the specific tool that is missing. This intermediary visual detection system preserves tool identification information without requiring each individual tool to have complex electronic identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the detection process into two independent parts: weight-based detection for sensing tool removal, and image-based analysis for identifying the missing tool. By dividing the detection function into these separate segments, the system avoids the complexity of integrating multiple identification technologies into each tool while still achieving complete tool identification capability.
3Measurement precision
If continuous video monitoring is implemented, then missing tools are accurately identified, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous video monitoring, the system activates the image sensor periodically or event-driven based on weight changes. When the weight sensor detects that a tool has been removed from the tray, it triggers the image sensor to capture video footage for analysis. This periodic activation based on weight events maintains accurate tool identification capability while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight sensor provides feedback about tool removal events, which then triggers the image sensor to activate only when needed. This feedback mechanism ensures that video monitoring occurs precisely when there is a possibility of a missing tool, maintaining high identification accuracy while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from continuous recording.
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
Enables real-time identification and notification of missing tools, preventing FOD and improving inventory management by dynamically tracking tool usage and alerting users, thus ensuring accurate and efficient tray management.
Implementation Method 1
receiving at least a first data and a second data associated with a plurality of tools placed in a tray... determining a weight discrepancy of the plurality of tools upon receiving the second data
Implementation Method 2
obtain a plurality of video segments captured by at least one image sensor... Using the plurality of video segments, the method identifies at least one missing tool
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method and system for facilitating tray management by determining at least one missing tool from the plurality of tools placed in tray. The tray management system (TMS) is connected to a weighing system to measure combined weight of tools before and after usage of tools. The combined weight of the tools is measured after at least one tool is removed for usage from the tray or placed back in the tray and a weight discrepancy is determined dynamically. Using the weight discrepancy, image sensor captures plurality of video segments. The TMS identifies occurrences of removing at least one tool from the tray and the corresponding occurrence of placing the tool in the tray in video segments and determines missing tool in the tray. The TMS alerts the user about the missing of tools in real time and enables effective tray management.