Wearable Foot Sensor for Virtual Switch in X-Ray Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of X-ray diagnosis apparatuses must frequently look away from the display monitor to locate and operate foot switches, which can be obscured, disrupting the workflow and increasing procedural time.

Innovation Solution

A wearable device with sensors on the operator's feet communicates with a wearable device controller to create a virtual foot switch, allowing operators to perform operations without physically interacting with mechanical switches, thus maintaining focus on the display monitor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a physical foot switch is placed on the floor for operation, then the operator can control the X-ray apparatus, but the operator must look away from the display monitor to locate and operate the foot switch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot switch operationVSAvoidtime to locate and operate foot switch

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical foot switch system with a wearable sensor system that detects foot operations and transmits signals wirelessly to the control device, eliminating the need for physical foot switches on the floor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable sensor acts as an intermediary between the operator's foot operation and the control device, detecting the operation and relaying it through wireless communication to trigger the X-ray irradiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a physical foot switch is placed on the floor, then the operator can access the control interface, but the foot switch may be obscured by drapes and not detectable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot switch accessibilityVSAvoidfoot switch detectability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical foot switch that can be obscured with a wearable sensor system that is worn on the operator's body, ensuring it remains accessible and detectable regardless of floor coverage by drapes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control interface is moved from the floor level (2D plane) to the operator's body (wearing dimension), allowing operation from a different spatial dimension that is not affected by floor-level obstructions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the operator frequently looks away from the display monitor to operate foot switches, then the foot switch can be operated, but the workflow is disrupted and procedural time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoot switch control capabilityVSAvoidprocedural efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the floor-based mechanical foot switch with a wearable sensor system that enables continuous monitoring of the operator's foot operations, allowing control without breaking visual contact with the display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable sensor system enables continuous operation detection and signal transmission, allowing the operator to maintain continuous visual attention on the display while the system continuously monitors foot operations for control inputs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12171602B2Operation device and X-ray diagnosis system

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

An operation device comprises a detector configured to detect an operation on a virtual switch by an operator to operate an X-ray irradiation in an X-ray diagnosis apparatus, wherein the virtual switch is virtually set at a position settled relatively with respect to the operator and output circuitry configured to output a detection result of the operation detected by the detector to the X-ray diagnosis apparatus to be operated. This device eliminates the need for looking away from a display monitor every time the operator operates the X-ray diagnosis apparatus.