Voice Control System for Ophthalmic Laser Parameter Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmologic laser treatment systems are inefficient due to the need for manual parameter adjustments, which can lead to operator mistakes and safety concerns, as doctors must physically return to the laser console to change settings during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A voice control system that uses a microphone and voice control module to recognize spoken commands, with a parameter regulation module that adjusts laser energy parameters such as power, duration, and interval, while providing audible feedback and adhering to a safety policy to prevent errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual parameter adjustment is used, then the laser system can be operated with simple physical controls, but operator errors increase and safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment (physical knobs and switches) with voice-based control. The voice recognition system captures spoken commands, processes them through natural language interpretation, and automatically adjusts laser parameters without requiring physical interaction with the console, thereby reducing operator errors while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the operator and the laser system - a voice recognition and parameter regulation module. This intermediary captures voice commands, validates them against safety policies, and translates them into system parameters, preventing direct erroneous input while maintaining operational flow.
2Reliability
If voice control is implemented, then operator errors are reduced and safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voice control system is integrated directly into the laser console, making the safety and control functions self-contained. The system processes voice commands internally through embedded recognition and regulation modules, eliminating the need for external complex infrastructure while maintaining enhanced safety features.
3Reliability
If incremental parameter adjustment is restricted, then safety is improved by preventing large changes, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment limits that adapt to the current operational context. The system allows incremental changes within safe boundaries but can permit larger adjustments when conditions warrant, balancing safety constraints with operational efficiency needs through context-aware parameter regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides audible feedback confirming parameter changes and their magnitude. This feedback loop allows operators to understand the extent of adjustments being made, maintain awareness of parameter evolution, and make informed decisions about subsequent adjustments, balancing safety with efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A voice control system for ophthalmologic laser treatment systems sets parameters for delivering laser energy based on voice commands and prevents potentially harmful parameters due to operator mistakes and misunderstood voice commands by providing incremental parameter adjustment and restricting the amount by which the parameters can be adjusted for each executed voice command. Valid voice commands include indications of which parameter to set, a value for the parameter, and whether to increase or decrease the value of the parameter. In one example, parameter values can only be increased or decreased by a certain percentage with respect to the current value. In another example, the parameters are adjusted by selecting the next highest or lowest value with respect to the current parameter value from a predetermined sequence of possible values for particular parameters. Voice control functionality can also be deactivated under certain conditions such as when it is determined that a parameter was not set.