EP4694827A1

EP4694827A1 - Accessory identification system for operating tables, compatible operating table and accessories

Info

Publication number: EP4694827A1
Application number: EP24789153.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Melih METIN; Osman Alpcan OZCAN; Yunus CILDAN
Original assignee: Bicakcilar Tibbi Cihazlar Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Bicakcilar Tibbi Cihazlar Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2023-04-13
Filing date: 2024-01-29
Publication date: 2026-02-18
Also published as: WO2024215275A1; TR2023004125A2

Abstract

It relates to an accessory identification system (200) or detecting the type of accessory (100) attached to an operating table (10) comprising at least one mating connection slot (11) suitable for attaching an accessory (100) having at least one connection end (110). Accordingly, it is characterized in that it comprises at least one identification unit (400) comprising at least one magnet (420) placed in at least one of at least two predetermined detection points according to the type of accessory to be identified, which is provided adjacent to the connection end (110); and it comprises a detection unit (300) comprising at least two magnetic field sensors (320), each of which is positioned to face a magnet slot (410) when the connection end (110) is connected to the mating connection slot (11), which is provided adjacent to the mating connection slot (11).

Description

ACCESSORY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR OPERATING TABLES, COMPATIBLE OPERATING TABLE AND ACCESSORIES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an accessory identification system for detecting the type of accessory attached to an operating table comprising at least one mating connection slot suitable for attaching an accessory having at least one connection end.

PRIOR ART

Operating tables are medical tables on which patients are placed during a surgical procedure. Patients are positioned on the operating table and placed in the appropriate position for the surgical procedure. Operations such as lowering, raising and tilting can be performed on the operating tables in order to place the patients in the appropriate position.

Various accessories are attached to the operating tables and accessories are replaced in order to perform the surgical procedure correctly for the patients. Various accessories such as head accessories and foot accessories are used on operating tables. Surgical procedures cannot be performed correctly when an incorrect or inappropriate head or foot accessory is attached. Therefore, it is of great importance that these accessory replacements on the operating table are made appropriately and correctly. It is necessary to detect whether the accessories are attached or whether the correct accessory is being used. However, the methods to be used for detection should be performed in a way that will not damage the operating tables or affect the patient health.

At present, the accessories of operating tables can be identified and controlled with the RFID technology. The accessories can be identified with the RFID tags attached to the accessories and the accessories can be controlled by reading the tags. A card reader is required to read the RFID tags. For this reason, card readers are used together with the RFID tags for the operating tables and accessories. Some problems arise with the use of the RFID technology. In case of a malfunction, the RFID readers can operate at undesirable high frequency values. Exposure to high frequencies can harm people’s health. On the other hand, accessories with RFID tags and readers can interfere with the operation of the medical devices in their vicinity. This can lead to technical problems in areas such as the operating rooms or intensive care units.

In the document no. EP2702974A2, the control of the operating table accessories is carried out with the RFID technology. The operating table accessories are identified with a radio identification element and this element is read by a reading device to control the accessories. The RFID detectors and antennas take up a lot of space in the devices and increase the cost.

As a result, all the aforementioned problems have made it necessary to realize a novelty in the relevant technical field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an accessory identification system for eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages and providing new advantages to the relevant technical field.

An object of the invention is to provide a system for determining the type of accessories attached to the operating tables.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory identification system at a reduced cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory identification system which is easier to repair or maintain.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accessory identification system with a reduced volume.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system that enables the table movements and angles suitable for the accessory in case the attached operating table accessory is the determined accessory. In order to achieve all of the aforementioned objects and those which will be apparent from the detailed description below, the present invention is an accessory identification system for detecting the type of accessory attached to an operating table comprising at least one mating connection slot suitable for attaching an accessory having at least one connection end. Accordingly, it comprises at least one identification unit comprising at least one magnet placed in at least one of at least two predetermined detection points according to the type of accessory to be identified, which is provided adjacent to the connection end; and it comprises a detection unit comprising at least two magnetic field sensors, each of which is positioned to face a magnet slot when the connection end is connected to the mating connection slot, which is provided adjacent to the mating connection slot. Thus, the types of operating table accessories can be easily detected with magnets. In addition, the cost is reduced compared to the RFID systems and the volume of the system is significantly reduced.

A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said detection unit comprises an electronic circuit arranged to convert the signal received from the magnetic field sensors into an output signal.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a control unit which, according to the signal received from the identification unit, generates a signal relating to the type of accessory connected to the mating connection slot. Thus, the type of the identified operating table accessory is determined according to the signals received from the output.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said magnetic field sensor is a Hall Effect sensor. Thus, the sensor operates without contact, with low maintenance costs and resistance to physical conditions.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one magnet is placed in the magnet slots, and that the placed magnets are arranged in a predefined order in such a way that when the connection end and the mating connection slot are connected to each other, the faces towards the magnetic field sensors are either S or N, provided that the same poles are not next to each other. Thus, the S and N magnet ends neutralize the magnetic field generated by the magnets outside their own direction, thus preventing interaction between the magnets.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least two magnet slots provided at the said detection points for placing the said at least one magnet.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises an identification cover that seals the magnet slots. Thus, the cover and the magnet slots are protected against any leakage.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the detection unit is provided in a detector slot provided on a first connection face on which the mating connection slot is provided.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a detector cover that seals the detector slot. Thus, the detector slot is protected against any external influences, such as leakage.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the detector cover is provided on the same plane as a first connection face on which the mating connection slot is provided.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the identification cover is provided on the same plane as a second connection face on which the connection end is provided.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the said control unit is configured to generate a warning signal in case the type of accessory differs from a previously determined type of accessory. This prevents the use of the wrong accessory.

Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it is an operating table comprising at least one detection unit. Another possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it is an accessory suitable for connection to operating tables comprising the identification unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the system.

Fig. 2 shows a representative view of the system units.

Fig. 3 shows a representative view of the detection unit.

Fig.4 shows representative views of the connection faces and units.

Fig. 5 shows a representative view of the accessory connection face and the identification unit.

Fig. 6 shows a representative view of the operating table connection face and the detection unit.

Fig. 7 shows a representative view of an accessory attached to the operating table.

Fig. 8 shows a representative view of the magnet slots and magnet placement.

Fig. 9 shows a representative view of the detector slots and the placement of the magnetic field sensors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter of the invention is described only by way of examples for a better understanding of the subject matter, without any limiting effect.

With reference to Fig. 1 , the subject matter of the invention is an accessory identification system (200) for detecting the type of accessory (100) attached to operating tables (10), comprising an identification unit (400) provided on the accessory (100) and a detection unit (300) provided on the operating table (10). The operating tables (10) can have different features according to the surgical procedures to be applied to patients. The operating tables (10) referred to herein can be of different types, with accessories (100) such as head parts and foot parts that can be attached and removed according to the needs of the operation. Thus, the suitable head or foot accessory can be attached and the position can be adjusted according to the surgical procedure to be performed.

The said system comprises an identification unit (400) consisting of a magnet slot (410), a magnet (420) and an identification cover provided at detection points suitable for attachment to one face of the accessory (100); and a detection unit (300) consisting of a detector slot (310), a magnetic field sensor (320), an electronic circuit and a detection cover suitable for attachment to one face of the operating table (10) part to which the accessory (100) is to be attached. The accessories (100) are attached with a connection end (110) to a mating connection slot (11) on the operating table (10) suitable for attaching the accessory (100).

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the number and/or arrangement of magnets (420) placed in the said magnet slots (410) is determined beforehand with the use of at least one magnet (420) according to the type of accessory (100). The said magnetic field sensors in the said detection unit (300) are configured to be positioned facing the magnet slots (410) when the accessory (100) is connected to the operating table (10). For example, for foot accessory identification, a magnet (420) is placed only in the middle slot of the three magnet slots (410), while for the head accessory, magnets (420) are placed in two magnet slots (410) to make an identification. Accordingly, the magnetic field sensors (320) are used to detect whether magnets (420) are present in the magnet slots (410).

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the magnet slots (410) can be positioned to form a horizontal plane, a vertical plane, a triangular or a circular plane to identify the accessories. In order to identify these accessories (100), the magnetic field sensors (320) are also positioned on the detection unit (300) in the same horizontal, vertical, triangular or circular plane. In a possible embodiment of the invention, the detection unit (300) converts the signal received from the magnetic field sensor (320) into an output signal by means of an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit can be a magnetic sensor card. According to the signal generated at the output, it is determined whether the accessory (100) is attached. The output signal received from the magnetic field sensor (320) can be converted into a binary number system. In this case, 1 is used for the status information that the magnet (420) is present and 0 is used for the status information that the magnet (420) is not present.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, there is provided a control unit (430) for detecting the type of accessory (100) according to the signal received from the identification unit (400). The control unit (430) can comprise a processor and can be provided on a circuit board (360), on a table or on a mobile terminal unit with wireless communication such as Bluetooth, WIFI, etc.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the said magnetic field sensor (320) is a Hall Effect sensor. Hall Effect sensors are sensors that operate without contact, have low maintenance costs and are resistant to physical conditions. During surgical procedures on patients, various fluids can spread on the surface of the operating table (10). On the other hand, the operating table (10) can be subjected to impacts during the replacement of the head or foot parts. The Hall effect sensor prevents these problems that may occur.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, for each type of accessory (100), the faces of the magnets (420) facing the magnetic field sensor (320) are configured to be one of S and N in a particular arrangement. For example, the S N S arrangement can be used for the identification for a foot accessory part, while for the head accessory, the first magnet slot can be empty and the identification can be made such that the magnets (420) are in the S N arrangement in the other magnet slots. Thus, the magnetic field sensor (320) determines whether the accessory is a foot accessory or a head accessory according to the placement of the magnets.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, an identification cover sealing the magnet slots (410) containing the magnets (420) and a detection cover sealing the detection slot containing the detection unit (300) are provided. The identification cover and detection cover are configured with a liquid-tight and durable structure. The identification unit (400) and detection unit (300) are protected by the covers against any liquid leakage spilled on the operating table (10) or accessory (100) during surgical procedures and external factors that may damage the units are prevented.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the connection end (110) of the accessory (100) may be in the male form, whereas the mating connection slot (11) of the operating table (10) may be in the female form. Male and female connection ends are used to ensure that the accessories (100) are fully attached to the operating table (10). Thus, the detector cover is provided on the same plane as the first connection face (12) and the identification cover is provided on the same plane as the second connection face (120), and the magnets (420) are detected by the magnetic field sensors (320) without error and correctly. Furthermore, the connection ends are configured in a cylindrical structure for easy engagement with each other.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the system is provided in a small size and easily mountable structure to the operating tables (10) and accessories (100). Therefore, it does not occupy large areas on the accessory (100) and operating table (10).

In addition to determining the type of the accessories (100) of the operating table (10), the said control unit (430) generates a warning signal in case the accessory (100) attached to the operating table (10) is different from the previously determined type of the accessory (100). With the warning signal, a suitable accessory (100) replacement can be made before the procedure since it is understood that an accessory (100) type that is not suitable for the surgical procedure to be performed at that moment is attached.

An exemplary operating scenario of the invention is described below:

When setting up the system, identifications are made for each accessory (100). For example, in the case where three magnet slots (410) and three magnetic field sensors (320) are used to identify a foot accessory, the middle slot is empty and only two magnet slots (410) can contain magnets (420). The magnetic field sensor (320) detects whether magnets (420) are present. It detects that there is a magnet (420) facing the first magnetic field sensor (330), there is no magnet facing the second magnetic field sensor (340) and there is a magnet (420) facing the third magnetic field sensor (350). Accordingly, a signal is generated according to the information coming from the sensors. In this case, the electronic circuit can produce 1 0 1 information as output. In this case, the control unit (430) generates a signal according to the type of this accessory (100), since the 1 0 1 information is identified for the foot accessory. Thus, the type of the accessory (100) is detected according to the output signal.

In another embodiment of the invention, the operating table accessories can be identified by placing the magnets (420) in a predetermined arrangement and number. The magnets (420) are configured with reverse polarization when placed in the magnet slots (410) in order to neutralize the magnetic field they generate outside their own direction and to prevent interaction between the magnets (420). Therefore, one of the two magnets next to each other is the S pole and the other is the N pole. For example, the magnets (420) can be positioned so that the opposite poles are arranged next to each other in the form of S N S.

In addition, the information on the attached accessory (100) and the previously determined accessory (100) may not match. In this case, a warning signal is generated and the relevant persons are notified, and the suitable accessory (100) replacement is ensured before the surgical procedure.

The scope of protection of the invention is set out in the appended claims and shall in no way be limited to what is described in this detailed description for illustrative purposes. Indeed, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with similar embodiments in light of the foregoing description without departing from the main theme of the invention. REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE DRAWING

10 Operating table

11 Mating connection slot

12 First connection face

100 Accessories

110 Connection end

120 Second connection face

200 Accessory identification system

300 Detection unit

310 Detector slot

320 Magnetic field sensor

330 First magnetic field sensor

340 Second magnetic field sensor

350 Third magnetic field sensor

360 Circuit board

400 Identification unit

410 Magnet slot

420 Magnet

430 Control unit

500 Identifier slot

Claims

1. An accessory identification system (200) for detecting the type of accessory (100) attached to an operating table (10) comprising at least one mating connection slot (11 ) suitable for attaching an accessory (100) having at least one connection end (110), characterized in that it comprises at least one identification unit (400) comprising at least one magnet (420) placed in at least one of at least two predetermined detection points according to the type of accessory (100) to be identified, which is provided adjacent to the connection end (110); that it comprises a detection unit (300) comprising at least two magnetic field sensors (320), each of which is positioned to face a magnet slot (410) when the connection end (110) is connected to the mating connection slot (11), which is provided adjacent to the mating connection slot (11 ).

2. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the said detection unit (300) comprises an electronic circuit arranged to convert the signal received from the magnetic field sensors (320) into an output signal.

3. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a control unit (430) which, according to the signal received from the identification unit (400), generates a signal relating to the type of accessory (100) connected to the mating connection slot (11).

4. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the said magnetic field sensor (320) is a Hall Effect sensor.

5. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one magnet (420) is placed into the magnet slots (410), and the placed magnets (420) are arranged in a predefined order in such a way that when the connection end (110) and the mating connection slot (11) are connected to each other, the faces thereof facing the magnetic field sensors (320) are either S or N, provided that the same poles are not next to each other.

6. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises at least two magnet slots (410) provided at the said detection points for placing the said at least one magnet (420).

7. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an identification cover that seals the magnet slots (410).

8. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the detection unit (300) is provided in a detector slot (310) provided on a first connection face (12) on which the mating connection slot (11) is provided.

9. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a detector cover that seals the detector slot (310).

10. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that the detector cover is provided on the same plane as a first connection face (12) on which the mating connection slot (11 ) is provided.

11 . An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that the identification cover (430) is provided on the same plane as a second connection face (120) on which the connection end (110) is provided.

12. An accessory identification system (200) according to claim 3, characterized in that the said control unit (430) is configured to generate a warning signal in case the type of accessory (100) differs from a previously determined type of accessory (100).

13. An operating table (10) comprising a detection unit (300) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. An accessory (100) suitable for connection to operating tables (10) comprising an identification unit (400) according to any one of claims 1 -11.