Voice-Controlled Medical System for Sterile Field Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In medical systems, surgeons often cannot directly operate central control panels due to their location in unclean regions, requiring nurses to manage settings and parameters, which disrupts the surgical workflow.
Innovation Solution
A medical system with a control apparatus that discriminates between the presence and absence of an endoscopic image on a display apparatus, switching between operation instruction screens to allow voice-controlled operation of medical devices, enabling surgeons to manage apparatuses without leaving their sterile field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation panel is placed on a rack or trolley in an unclean region, then the control apparatus can be positioned away from the sterile field, but the surgeon cannot directly operate the panel and must rely on nurses
Solution Approach 1:
A camera positioned in the sterile field captures images of the surgical site and transmits them to a display in the unclean region where the control panel is located. This visual intermediary allows the surgeon to monitor the surgical field while the nurse operates the control panel, maintaining both sterility and operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the operating space into sterile and unclean regions, with each region containing specialized equipment. The sterile field contains the surgical site and camera, while the unclean region contains the control panel and display. This spatial segmentation allows each team member to operate within their designated zone without compromising sterility.
2Measurement precision
If the surgeon focuses on viewing the endoscopic image, then surgical precision is maintained, but the surgeon cannot simultaneously operate the control panel
Solution Approach 1:
The camera acts as a visual intermediary, transmitting real-time images of the surgical field to the display. This allows the surgeon to maintain focus on the endoscopic view while the nurse, viewing the same images on the display, operates the control panel based on the surgeon's verbal instructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical interaction between the surgeon and control panel with a visual communication system. The surgeon provides verbal commands, the nurse translates them to panel operations, and the camera-display system provides continuous visual feedback, eliminating the need for the surgeon to physically interact with the control panel.
3Productivity
If nurses operate the operation panel, then the control functions are performed, but the surgical workflow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The camera continuously captures images of the surgical field and provides real-time feedback to both the surgeon and the nurse through the display. This shared visual feedback allows the nurse to anticipate the surgeon's needs and prepare control adjustments in advance, reducing interruptions to the surgical workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The nurse, viewing the surgical field through the camera display, can anticipate the surgeon's upcoming actions and pre-adjust control parameters before they are needed. This preliminary action reduces the need for reactive adjustments during critical surgical moments, improving workflow efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical system includes a light source apparatus, an operating field monitor, and a system controller. The system controller includes a discriminating section and a control section configured to perform control to display, when an endoscopic image is displayed on the operating field monitor, a voice operation main screen for instructing operation of a controlled apparatuses and the endoscopic image on the operating field monitor and display, when the endoscopic image is not displayed on the operating field monitor, a voice operation screen for performing a check of operation states of the controlled apparatuses and an operation instruction of the controlled apparatuses on the operating field monitor.