Medical Applications of Position Sensors

Position sensors such as the ones manufactured by Positek are used in a variety of applications. Today we take a look at how they are used in the medical field.

Medical and veterinary imaging equipment like MRI machines, CAT scanners and some x-ray machines all rely on position sensors to get the patient and the imaging technology in the right place. Many models of scanner convey the patient through a tube containing the image making technology, so it is important that the moving parts can be finely controlled in order to capture the information needed. Hospital beds also use position sensors to ensure that the bed is in the correct position for different patients and procedures, controlling the height and angle of the moving parts so that the bed cannot accidentally fold in half or cause the patient any damage. Operating theatre equipment also uses position sensors for the same reason.

Remote and robotic surgical techniques are constantly being developed and refined, allowing specialist surgeons to operate on patients in other countries using remote controlled equipment. The use of sensors plays a very important role in the control and positioning of this surgical equipment, as the surgeon may be many thousands of miles away and therefore not able to manually adjust the operating tools. The surgeon relies on the feedback from the machines about the exact position of any part of the apparatus in order to move it to the right place and conduct the surgery, so durable and reliable sensors are needed to reduce the risk of hardware malfunction that could compromise patient safety.

Ambulances are equipped with a patient lift to safely transfer a stretcher or wheelchair in and out of the vehicle, and position sensors are used to ensure that the lift stops at the right place. Without this fine level of control, the patient could experience unnecessary jolting and movement that would severely compromise those with spinal injuries. Doors and entrances to areas of hospitals where there is a potential security risk (for example, high-dependency units, maternity wards and psychiatric units) are sometimes fitted with position sensors so that they can be locked shut at the press of a button and sound an alert when opened. There are similar applications for windows in high-security areas, allowing windows to be opened but only far enough to let air in without presenting a risk of fall or intentional jumping.

Non-contact sensors, such as the ones manufactured by Positek, are ideal for medical applications as there is no risk of sensor failure due to contamination. Operating theatres and high dependency units are places where bodily fluids and other material (sutures, tape, sheets, masks and gloves) are always present, and could contaminate a position sensor. If this sensor relies on contact between the two points in order to work there is a high risk of failure, due to the high levels of potential contaminants in the area. Non-contact sensors will still work even if there is a surgical mask in the way, or blood on the sensor system.

In the most critical applications, such as operating theatres, there is a need for extra sensor systems to be in place should the primary system fail for any reason. The equipment can still be used even if the primary sensors fail as the backup sensor system can be initiated. In some of the most high-risk applications there is even an argument for using three sensor systems, thereby reducing the risk that a fault in one or two of the sensor systems could cause the equipment to malfunction and cause harm to the patient. Positek can advise the best systems and components for any medical application of position sensors, even manufacturing bespoke sensor systems to meet a specific need.