Wireless Microphone Proximity Detection for Surgical Voice Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless command microphones in surgical systems pose safety risks due to the potential for surgeons to inadvertently issue voice commands outside the operating room, leading to unintended device control and communication link losses, which can be dangerous and disrupt operations.
Innovation Solution
A voice-controlled surgical system that uses detection modules to identify the proximity of the wireless command microphone and disable voice control when it is outside the operating room or experiencing malfunctions, while alerting the user through alarms and visual warnings, ensuring safe and effective operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless command microphones are used to allow surgeons to freely move about the OR, then surgeon mobility is improved, but safety risks increase due to potential inadvertent voice commands outside the OR
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the wireless signal strength and provides real-time feedback to determine whether the microphone is within the OR. When the signal strength falls below a threshold indicating the user has left the OR, the system automatically disables voice control functionality and can alert the user, thereby preventing inadvertent commands while maintaining mobility during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
A signal strength monitoring mechanism acts as an intermediary between the wireless microphone and the voice control system. This intermediary layer evaluates the wireless connection quality and controls the activation state of voice commands based on whether the microphone remains within acceptable range of the surgical system, preventing direct control when the user is outside the OR.
2Ease of operation
If wireless command microphones are used, then freedom of movement is improved, but communication link reliability deteriorates due to potential loss of data link
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors wireless signal strength and provides feedback to control the voice control module. When signal strength indicates the user has moved outside the OR or the link is deteriorating, the system disables voice control to prevent unreliable command transmission, thereby maintaining communication reliability while allowing movement during stable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively disables voice control functionality before communication failure occurs by monitoring signal strength thresholds. This preliminary action prevents the system from attempting to process commands when the wireless link is about to fail, ensuring communication reliability is maintained throughout the surgical procedure.
3Ease of operation
If wireless command microphones are used, then mobility is improved, but risk of unintended device control increases when user is in different OR
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from wireless signal strength monitoring to determine the user's location relative to the surgical system. When the signal indicates the user has left the OR or entered a different OR, the system automatically disables voice control functionality, preventing unintended device control while maintaining mobility within the correct OR.
Solution Approach 2:
A signal monitoring intermediary evaluates whether the wireless microphone is connected to the correct surgical system based on signal strength and uniqueness of the wireless environment. This intermediary prevents voice commands from being transmitted to the wrong system when the user is in a different OR, eliminating the harmful effect of unintended control.
4Reliability
If voice control is continuously monitored for location, then safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical or visual detection methods with electronic wireless signal strength monitoring. By using the existing wireless communication infrastructure to detect location and link status, the system achieves safety monitoring without adding significant hardware complexity, as the same wireless transceiver used for command transmission also provides location detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A voice controlled surgical system including a wireless command microphone receiving audio input, a voice control module for generating commands from the audio input received by said wireless command microphone, a detection module for generating signals indicative of a proximity of said wireless command microphone, a switch module for disabling the commands in response to one or more of the signals, and an alarm module activated in response to the one or more of the signals.