Wireless Medical Control Element Room Detection Safety

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical examination or treatment devices with wireless mobile control elements risk unintended activation of incorrect devices due to communication range issues, leading to potential errors such as unwanted radiation generation or patient support movement.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a detection means that detects the movement of the control element out of the room and disables further control operations, using identification information stored on the control element to ensure correct device assignment and prevent accidental activation, with features like RFID transponders for bidirectional data transfer and optical/acoustic signals for confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a wireless mobile control element is provided to enable remote operation of the device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unintended activation of incorrect devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by detecting the position of the mobile control element relative to the medical device and automatically disabling control functions when the control element is outside the designated room. This feedback mechanism prevents unintended activation while maintaining ease of operation within the proper context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A detection means acts as an intermediary between the mobile control element and the medical device. This intermediary verifies the spatial relationship and control authority before allowing communication, thereby preventing unauthorized activation while preserving the wireless convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the control element has adequate communication coverage to operate the device remotely, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to unwanted radiation generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidobject-affected harmful factors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively disabling control functions before unintended activation can occur. The detection means continuously monitors the control element's position and preemptively blocks control signals when the control element is outside the designated room, preventing harmful radiation generation before it can happen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by detecting the position of the mobile control element relative to the medical device and automatically disabling control functions when the control element is outside the designated room. This feedback mechanism prevents unintended activation while maintaining ease of operation within the proper context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the control element can be carried into another room with communication coverage, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to control element confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by dividing the hospital into distinct zones or rooms, each with its own medical device and control element assignment. The detection means determines which zone the control element is in and enables or disables control functions accordingly, preventing cross-room confusion while maintaining adaptability within each zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detection means acts as an intermediary between the mobile control element and the medical device. This intermediary verifies the spatial relationship and control authority before allowing communication, thereby preventing unauthorized activation while preserving the wireless convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances operational safety by preventing unintentional control operations when the control element is removed from its assigned room, ensuring correct device operation and facilitating accurate reassignment and disinfection processes in multi-device environments.

Implementation Method 1

features like RFID transponders for bidirectional data transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8536986B2Medical examination or treatment device, in particular x-ray or CT device

Publication Date: 2013.09.17 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

Medical examination or treatment device, in particular x-ray or CT device, comprising a control device controlling the operation of one or a number of device elements, as well as at least one mobile control element assigned to the control device, the control element communicating wirelessly with the control device for operating the examination or treatment device to issue control signals, with a detector element for detecting an item of information which can be read out or sent by a control element assigned to the control device during a movement of the control element from the room containing the medical examination or treatment device, the room communicating with the control device which disables the control operation as a function of the detection result.