Wireless Hands-Free Pointer System for Sterile Medical Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand-operated pointing devices are unsuitable for medical applications like surgery due to the need for hand use, which can compromise sterility and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A wireless hands-free pointing system comprising a wearable unit with a head-mountable portion for motion detection and a neck-mountable portion containing power and circuitry, allowing hands-free operation by transmitting head movements to a base station for cursor control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hand-operated pointing devices are used, then pointing control is achieved, but hand contamination risk increases and hands cannot remain free for surgical instruments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidhand contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual hand operation with head movement detection using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU captures acceleration data from head movements, which is then processed to generate pointer control signals, substituting the mechanical hand-operated pointing mechanism with an automated head-tracking system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that converts head movements into pointer control commands. The IMU serves as the intermediary device between the user's head movements and the computer pointer, translating physical head motion into digital control signals without requiring direct hand interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If head-mountable portion with IMU is worn, then hands-free pointing control is enabled, but device weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operation capabilityVSAvoidwearable unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable unit is segmented into two distinct components: a head-mountable portion containing the IMU for motion detection, and a neck-mountable portion housing the power supply and circuitry. This segmentation distributes the device's weight and complexity across different body locations, with the lighter head portion providing essential sensing capability while the neck portion accommodates heavier power components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent distributes device components across different spatial dimensions on the body - placing the sensing element (IMU) on the head while positioning the power and processing elements on the neck. This dimensional distribution optimizes the balance between functionality and wearability, allowing each component to be positioned where it is most effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If neck-mountable portion rests on shoulders, then weight is distributed for comfortable long-term use, but device positioning precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort and reduced fatigueVSAvoidhead movement detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heavy power supply and processing circuitry from the head-mountable portion and places them in the neck-mountable portion. This extraction reduces the weight burden on the head, enabling comfortable long-term wear, while the neck portion serves as a stable anchor point that does not interfere with the precision head movement sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables comfortable, long-term use without hand contamination, facilitating sterile environments and reducing user fatigue by distributing weight across the shoulders, thus improving operational efficiency in medical settings.

Implementation Method 1

The head-mountable portion may include an inertial measurement unit to detect movements of the head of a wearer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The neck-mountable portion may include a power supply, a microcontroller, and a wireless transmitter module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10814491B2Wireless hands-free pointer system

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A wireless hands-free pointer system includes a wearable unit and a base station. The wearable unit includes a head-mountable portion and a neck-mountable portion. The head-mountable portion includes an inertial measurement unit to detect movements of the head of a wearer. The neck-mountable portion includes a power supply, a microcontroller, and a wireless transmitter module and is formed to allow wearing by draping it about a wearer's neck to rest on their shoulders. The head-mountable portion is electrically coupled to the neck-mountable portion to receive power from the power supply. The head-mountable portion is also communicatively coupled to the neck-mountable portion to transmit detected movements of the head of a wearer to the microcontroller for determining position data for transmission to the base station using the wireless transmitter module. The base includes a wireless receiver module to receiving position data and can communicate the position data to a processing unit.