X-Ray Acquisition Lever Control for Blind Parameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical x-ray examination methods require manual input changes for altering acquisition parameters, which is inconvenient and often not possible in a blind operation, especially during intra-operative procedures.
Innovation Solution
A device with a deflectable lever arm that allows intuitive control of acquisition parameters through foot or hand input, featuring a lever with two end points for independent value determination, and a locking mechanism for secure operation, providing haptic and optical feedback for intuitive parameter selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual input is used to change acquisition parameters during medical x-ray examination, then parameter control is possible, but operational efficiency deteriorates and blind operation becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple acquisition parameter controls into a single foot switch device. The foot switch integrates protocol selection, parameter adjustment, and examination execution functions that previously required separate manual inputs, enabling blind operation while maintaining full parameter control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot switch serves multiple functions: selecting acquisition protocols, adjusting acquisition parameters, initiating examinations, and modifying settings in real-time. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate controls for each parameter, allowing operators to perform all controls through foot operations alone.
2Ease of operation
If foot switch is used for controlling acquisition parameters, then blind operation is enabled, but control precision deteriorates due to binary input limitation
Solution Approach 1:
The foot switch transitions from a static binary switch to a dynamic continuous input device. By incorporating a lever arm that can be deflected to different positions, the device provides continuous variable input capability, allowing precise control of acquisition parameters through the degree of deflection rather than discrete on/off states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional binary electrical foot switch with a mechanical lever arm system that uses deflection position to encode parameter values. This mechanical positioning system provides continuous analog input that can be mapped to various parameter values, achieving both blind operation and precise control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple acquisition parameters are changed during examination, then adaptability is improved, but operational complexity increases requiring repeated manual input
Solution Approach 1:
The foot switch device allows operators to pre-select acquisition protocols and parameters before the examination begins. Once configured, all parameter settings are stored and can be modified during the examination through simple foot inputs, eliminating the need for complex manual re-inputting when changing parameters mid-examination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to confirm parameter changes and protocol selections made through the foot switch. This feedback mechanism ensures that operators can verify settings without visual confirmation, maintaining blind operation capability while managing the complexity of multiple parameter adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for controlling acquisition parameters when carrying out a medical x-ray examination, wherein the device includes a lever. The lever includes a deflectably supported lever arm, which is embodied to be deflected from a rest position to a first end point, in particular a kick-down stop point, and to a second end point, by a force, in particular the force of a foot and/or the force of a hand, wherein a first value of at least one acquisition parameter of the medical x-ray examination is determined by the deflection, wherein the first value is dependent on a measure of deflection of the deflection of the lever arm from the rest position to the first end point, wherein a second value of at least one acquisition parameter of the medical x-ray examination is able to be determined by a deflection of the lever arm to the second end point, and wherein the second value is independent of the measure of deflection of the deflection of the lever arm from the rest position.