Medical device with electrically isolated means

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical device having an application device (6, 58) which can be brought into contact with a patient (4) to be treated and an electrical isolating device which can be connected to the application device, the isolating device having at least one application terminal (10) for connection to the application device and at least one supply terminal (12) for connection to a device (14), the isolating device being configured to electrically isolate the application terminal from the supply terminal, the isolating device having at least one first radio unit (16) connected to the application terminal and having a first antenna and at least one second radio unit (18) connected to the supply terminal and having a second antenna, the respective first antenna and the respective second antenna being spaced apart from one another and preferably facing one another in a visible manner on a carrier (20, 44), the at least one first radio unit and the at least one second radio unit being configured to transmit signals and / or data between the application terminal and the supply terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical device having an application device that can be in contact with a patient to be treated, and an electrical isolation device that can be connected to the application device. Background Technology

[0002] In medical devices operating at potentially hazardous voltages (“PGS”), it is essential to ensure that there is no direct conductive connection between the voltage source and the patient. For example, in endoscopic cameras, at least one electrically isolated element is placed between the power supply and the endoscopic optics to prevent direct conductive connection. Furthermore, standard IEC 60601-1 specifies air and creep distances, withstand voltage, and possible leakage current through the patient. Achieving electromagnetic shielding or compatibility with incident and emitted electromagnetic interference is particularly challenging for electrically isolated electrical equipment, involving higher manufacturing and development costs. One challenge is that not all electronic components can be placed on the same ground pre-defined through the wiring network, which is typically used for shielding. Therefore, connecting low-voltage devices (such as commercial computer mice) may result in unwanted interference radiation.

[0003] In addition to electrical isolation, large amounts of data typically need to be transmitted. While some components are capable of transmitting data over electrically isolated distances, these components are either very expensive or severely limited in terms of the data rates they can achieve. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In this context, the object of the present invention is to provide a medical device in which simple and effective electrical isolation can be easily achieved, allowing for high data rates, low manufacturing costs, and easy inspection.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is achieved by a medical device. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are given through the related technical solutions of the invention, the following description, and the accompanying drawings.

[0006] The medical device according to the invention has an application device that can contact a patient to be treated and an electrical isolation device that can be connected to the application device, wherein the electrical isolation device has at least one application terminal for connection to the application device and at least one power supply terminal for connection to the device, wherein the isolation device is configured to electrically isolate the application terminal from the power supply terminal. According to the invention, the isolation device has at least one first radio unit with a first antenna connected to the application terminal and at least one second radio unit with a second antenna connected to the power supply terminal, wherein the respective first antenna and the respective second antenna are visually identifiable spaced apart from each other on a carrier and preferably fixed pointing towards each other, and wherein at least one first radio unit and at least one second radio unit are configured to transmit signals and / or data between the application terminal and the power supply terminal.

[0007] The technical feature that the corresponding first antenna and the corresponding second antenna are visibly spaced apart from each other on the carrier means, for example, that it is not necessary to remove them for microscopic examination in order to identify the distance between the antennas. This is generally applicable to distances greater than 0.5 mm. However, preferably, the distance between the antennas is at least 0.5 cm, which is visible to the naked eye under normal visual intensity and requires no optical aids. Preferably, this distance is set to be freely visible and unobstructed, i.e., directly visible when the instrument is examined without prior removal of the components, except for possible openings in the instrument housing. Preferably, the corresponding first antenna and the corresponding second antenna are fixed pointing towards each other. This is understood, for example, as follows: the first antenna defines a first primary radio direction for transmitting and / or receiving radio signals, and the second antenna defines a second primary radio direction for transmitting and / or receiving radio signals, wherein the first primary radio direction is coaxially opposite to the second primary radio direction.

[0008] Application devices can be implemented in a variety of different ways. For example, they may include endoscopes and / or sensors, electrodes, image sensors, ultrasound transducers, etc. Application devices can provide signals and / or data based on their respective designs. Any other device capable of direct contact with the patient and integrating an electrically insulating device can be considered. Alternatively, the electrically insulating device can also be integrated into components that can be connected to the application device, such as a processing unit. For example, electrically insulating devices can also enable directly adjacent devices. Data or signal transmission between devices. These devices may have a metal housing with an aperture through which signal or data is transmitted. As a result, data transmission is possible when the devices are correctly oriented relative to each other. Orientation can be facilitated by guides, recesses, or magnets. Electrical isolation can be integrated into the housing base on one side.

[0009] Electrically insulating devices are used to transmit signals and / or data between an application device and a device connected to the application device. Therefore, the insulating device forms an interface that enables the application device to operate electrically safely in the patient's body.

[0010] One key feature is the use of at least one first radio unit and at least one second radio unit, each connected to an antenna and visibly spaced apart from each other on the carrier. Therefore, the mechanical and electrical isolation between the two electrically isolated areas is readily apparent, requiring no laborious testing and thus facilitating inspection. Consequently, approval of the medical device can be made without the technically complex inspections required by the devices described in the prior art.

[0011] Radio-based connections can be achieved using short-range radios with low radio power. Radio power in the range of 0.01W to 300mW, particularly 0.02W to 193mW, is conceivable. The corresponding components for data transmission are known. Short-range radios can operate in the approximately GHz range, for example, in the 60GHz band, with radio frequencies in the 57GHz and 64GHz range. This has the advantage that the transmission can be easily shielded by a metallic layer. Therefore, when the electrical isolation device is surrounded by a conductive housing, the electrical isolation device itself does not emit interfering radiation.

[0012] The intermediate space (Zwischenraum) between the first and second antennas is used for insulation or transmission distance. This intermediate space can be designed to at least meet conventional standards for air and electrical distance. It can be filled with air alone, or it can contain specific materials, such as plastics and, in particular, circuit board materials.

[0013] Preferably, a switch, particularly preferably a two-phase switch, and / or preferably a two-phase equipment fuse is additionally provided on the power supply terminals.

[0014] The isolation device may have two first radio units and two second radio units, wherein the first and second radio units are arranged in pairs facing each other, and one pair is configured to transmit signals and / or data from the first radio units to the second radio units, while the other pair is configured to transmit signals and / or data from the second radio units to the first radio units. Thus, the isolation device can achieve full-duplex transmission of signals and / or data in both directions. Here, signals and / or data can be transmitted simultaneously in both directions.

[0015] At least one first radio unit and at least one second radio unit can each be configured as a transmitting and receiving unit. Therefore, signal and / or data transmission can, in principle, occur in both directions. A half-duplex connection can be achieved if only a single pair consisting of the first and second radio units exists.

[0016] The radio link (funkstrecke) located between the first antenna and the second antenna can have an extension of 0.5 to 60 cm, and is particularly preferred to have an extension of 1 to 40 cm. This extension of the radio link at a distance of at least 0.5 cm is easily visible to the naked eye. This significantly simplifies the testing of the isolation device. The maximum extension of 60 cm given herein can significantly limit the required radio power. Especially when the antenna is highly directional, not only effective electrical isolation can be achieved, but also the minimization of radio power can be realized.

[0017] The carrier can be constructed as a single circuit board on which the at least one first radio unit and the at least one second radio unit are mounted at a predetermined distance from each other. This is particularly simple mechanically, as the first and second radio units, or their antennas, only need to be fastened to predetermined positions on the circuit board to establish the desired radio connection. Furthermore, the shape of the carrier is readily adaptable to medical devices and can be integrated, in particular, into application devices.

[0018] The circuit board may have a gap between the first radio unit and the second radio unit. This gap allows for better optical inspection of the electrical isolation. The gap may, in particular, have a rectangular cutout that represents an isolation between the first and second radio units that can be visually identified. Here, the antenna is preferably positioned on the edge side, along the opposite edges of the gap, and thus forms its radio link over the gap.

[0019] The carrier may have a first circuit board and a second circuit board, which are arranged relative to each other at a predetermined distance and mechanically connected to each other, wherein at least one first radio unit is arranged on the first circuit board and at least one second radio unit is arranged on the second circuit board. Particularly in larger or longer medical devices, it may be meaningful to use two separate circuit boards instead of a single circuit board, which are mechanically arranged and secured to each other at a predetermined distance. For example, it may be advantageous to place one circuit board at the distal end of the application device and move the other circuit board in a proximal direction. Here, the application device may include a housing that surrounds the two circuit boards and has internal fastening points capable of securing the circuit boards.

[0020] The first and second antennas can be printed onto the carrier. This printing can be achieved by applying and fixing conductive particles, etching, or other manufacturing processes. This results in a particularly easy-to-manufacture isolation device that is inexpensive and space-efficient. This is especially permissible in applications with small cross-sections.

[0021] Furthermore, the first and second antennas can each have a horn structure for establishing a directional radio connection. This horn structure supports the strong directional characteristics of the antenna, thereby increasing the data rate. It is conceivable to implement multi-link applications using two different horn structures with vertical and horizontal polarization to further improve the data rate. In addition to horn structures, horn antennas with integrated antennas can also be used.

[0022] The isolation device may have a first coupling unit connected to the application terminal and a second coupling unit connected to the power supply terminal, configured to inductively and / or capacitively transmit electrical power from the power supply terminal to the application terminal. Therefore, these two coupling units allow for wireless power transmission. This allows power to be supplied to remotely located lighting devices, sensor devices, or any other type of load without requiring a direct connection between the power supply terminal and the application device. Particularly useful here is the implementation of inductive transmission, which includes two coils that can be coupled to each other. These two coils can be aligned such that the voltage applied to the power supply terminal is induced in the corresponding coil connected to the application device.

[0023] The isolation device can be enclosed in a housing. The housing can be a separate housing that can be placed inside the application device. Alternatively, it can be enclosed in a housing such that the radio links between antennas are visible from the outside. For example, it can be envisioned that the housing is filled with transparent, non-conductive plastic. The housing can also be a housing belonging to the application device, containing only the isolation device, and the isolation device does not necessarily need to include its own separate housing.

[0024] The housing that completely or partially surrounds the radio link can be made of conductive metal with a conductivity greater than 0.0004 S / m to achieve electromagnetic shielding. Alternatively, the housing can be made of plastic. A preferred wall thickness can exceed 0.5 mm, and for example, can be up to approximately 3 mm. Particularly preferred is that the housing surface is chemically resistant to alcohols, aldehydes, water, and surfactants to achieve good cleanability.

[0025] Advantageously, the ratio v = d / L between the distance d between the at least one first radio unit and the at least one second radio unit and the wavelength L of the signal is in the range of 1.73 to 127. This allows for good signal and / or data transmission.

[0026] The region between the at least one first radio unit and the at least one second radio unit may be at least partially filled with a material having a dielectric constant of 1 to 23 F / m and a conductivity of 0 to 0.01 S / m. Particularly preferably, the material may be air, plastic, or circuit board material.

[0027] In addition, the region may preferably be filled with a medium whose absorption coefficient I / I0 along the radio link for light in the range of 400nm-750nm does not exceed a value of 0.7.

[0028] The isolation device is preferably configured such that the power attenuation at room temperature and normal pressure is between 0.01 and 10 dB / km. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a medical device is shown.

[0031] Figures 2 to 6 Schematic diagrams of electrical isolation devices are shown respectively.

[0032] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the application device is shown.

[0033] The list of reference numerals in the attached figures is as follows:

[0034] 2 Medical devices

[0035] 4 patients

[0036] 6. Application Devices

[0037] 8. Isolation device

[0038] 10 Application Terminals

[0039] 12 power supply terminals

[0040] 14 Equipment

[0041] 16, 16a First Radio Unit

[0042] 17, 17a First Antenna

[0043] 18, 18a Second Radio Unit

[0044] 19, 19a Second Line

[0045] 20 Load-bearing components

[0046] 21 Mechanical fasteners

[0047] 22 Circuit Boards

[0048] 24 Voltage Source

[0049] 26 First Circuit Board

[0050] 28 Second Circuit Board

[0051] 30 Coupling device

[0052] 32 First Coupling Unit

[0053] 34 Second Coupling Unit

[0054] 36. Isolation distance

[0055] 38 Electrical isolation devices

[0056] 40 Switches

[0057] 42 Electrical isolation devices

[0058] 44 Single circuit boards

[0059] 46 Incisions

[0060] 48 Electrical isolation devices

[0061] 50-speaker structure

[0062] 52 Electrical isolation devices

[0063] 54 Printed First Antenna

[0064] 56 Printed Second Antenna

[0065] 58 Application Devices

[0066] 60 Electronic devices

[0067] 61 Optical Devices

[0068] 62 Electrical isolation devices

[0069] 63 Proximal electronic devices

[0070] 64 Cable

[0071] 66. Shell

[0072] Route 68 Detailed Implementation

[0073] Figure 1A medical device 2 for treating a patient 4 is shown. The medical device 2 has an application device 6 that can be driven to contact the patient 4. An electrical isolation device 8, which can be connected to the application device 6, is shown schematically. Here, the isolation device 8 has an application terminal 10 for connecting to the application device 6 and a power supply terminal 12 for connecting to the device 14. Here, the isolation device 8 is configured to electrically isolate the application terminal 10 from the power supply terminal 12. Here, the isolation device 8 is configured as part of the device 14. However, it is also contemplated that the isolation device 8 be part of the application device 6.

[0074] The isolation device 8 has a first radio unit 16 connected to the application terminal 10 and a second radio unit 18 connected to the power supply terminal 12. The first radio unit 16 has a first antenna 17, while the second radio unit 18 includes a second antenna 19. The isolation device 8 is shown schematically only here, so the exact antenna structure cannot be seen in the figure. This will be shown in more detail in other figures.

[0075] The first antenna 17 and the second antenna 19 are arranged visibly spaced apart from each other on the carrier 20 and facing each other. Thus, the first radio unit 16 and the second radio unit 18 are configured to transmit signals and / or data between the application terminal 10 and the power supply terminal 12. There is no direct electrical connection between the application terminal 10 and the power supply terminal 12.

[0076] An exemplary arrangement of a circuit board 22 is provided on the power supply terminal 12, which is connected to the voltage source 24 and provides the corresponding voltage or power to the power supply terminal 12. However, the patient 4 is not in direct contact with the voltage source 24 due to the electrical isolation device 8.

[0077] The first radio unit 16 and the second radio unit 18 are each constructed as circuit boards, and they are interconnected by a mechanical fastener 21. Therefore, the circuit boards and the fastener 21 constitute the carrier 20.

[0078] Figure 2An embodiment of the electrical isolation device 8 is shown in slightly more detail. A first circuit board 26 is shown here, on which a first radio unit 16 is arranged. A first antenna 17 is oriented to the right in the plane of the drawing and points towards a second antenna 19 of a second radio unit 18, which in turn is arranged on a second circuit board 28. Another first radio unit 16a is arranged on the first circuit board 26 and has another first antenna 17a. A second antenna 19a, associated with another second radio unit 18a, points towards that other first antenna. With this arrangement, even when using two unidirectional first radio units 16 and 16a and two unidirectional second radio units 18 and 18a, a bidirectional radio connection can be achieved between the power supply terminal 12 and the application terminal 10.

[0079] For this purpose, a coupling device 30 is additionally provided, which has a first coupling unit 32 and a second coupling unit 34. Both are constructed as coils, arranged flush with each other, and configured to wirelessly transmit electrical power from the power supply terminal 12 to the application terminal 10.

[0080] An isolation distance 36, or radio link 36, is provided between the two circuit boards 26 and 28, which is visible to the naked eye and has an extension of at least 0.5 cm. Radio units 16, 16a, 18 and 18a, as well as coupling units 32 and 34, wirelessly transmit signals and / or data and electrical power across this isolation distance 36, thus providing electrical isolation. Mechanical fastener 21 is constructed to be non-conductive. The fastener may be made of, for example, circuit board material, plastic or other non-conductive material, and only allows the components to be securely fixed relative to each other.

[0081] Figure 3 A variation in the form of an electrical isolation device 38 is shown, in which only a single first radio unit 16 and a single second radio unit 18 are provided. They can operate bidirectionally by way of example, and thus allow for bidirectional communication in a simpler arrangement. A switch 40 is provided only by way of example, which is connected to the voltage source 24 and the power supply terminal 12.

[0082] Figure 4 An electrical isolation device 42 is schematically shown, in which a first radio unit 16 and a second radio unit 18 can communicate bidirectionally and are arranged on a single circuit board 44. The electrical isolation device has a cutout 46 above an isolation distance 36, which is optically perceptible.

[0083] Figure 5 It shows the basis Figure 4The isolation device 42 in the middle has an electrical isolation device 48. Horn structures 50 are provided here, respectively arranged on the first radio unit 16 or the second radio unit 18. The two horn structures 50 are used to direct radio waves emitted from the respective radio unit 16 or 18. Thus, while reducing radio power, a higher data rate can be achieved.

[0084] Alternatively, according to Figure 6 The electrical isolation device 52 may also have printed antennas 54 or 56, which are arranged on the edge side of the intermediate space 36 and facing each other.

[0085] Figure 7 An application device 58 in the form of an endoscope is shown. Here, a distal-side electronic device 60, such as an image sensor with an optical element 61, is arranged on the distal end and coupled to a proximal-side power supply terminal 12 via an electrical isolation device 62. A proximal-side electronic device 63 is disposed directly on the power supply terminal 12, which can be directly connected to a voltage terminal or processing unit via a cable 64. The length of the application device 58 can be substantial, up to approximately 60 cm. In this embodiment, the isolation distance 36 can extend beyond most of this length and therefore can be up to approximately 60 cm. The application device 58 may include a housing 66, which is at least partially made of a metallic material. A wire 68 for supplying power to the distal-side electronic unit 60 can be connected to a coupling device 30 integrated in the proximal-side electronic device 63 or an external processing unit.

Claims

1. A medical device (2), comprising: Application devices (6, 58) that can contact the patient (4) to be treated, and Electrically isolated devices (8, 38, 42, 48, 52, 62) that can be connected to the application device (6, 58). The isolation device (8, 38, 42, 48, 52, 62) has at least one application terminal (10) for connection with the application device (6, 58) and at least one power supply terminal (12) for connection with the device (14). The isolation devices (8, 38, 42, 48, 52, 62) are configured to electrically isolate the application terminal (10) from the power supply terminal (12). Its features are, The isolation device (8, 38, 42, 48, 52, 62) has at least one first radio unit (16) with a first antenna (17, 17a) connected to the application terminal (10) and at least one second radio unit (18) with a second antenna (19, 19a) connected to the power supply terminal (12). The corresponding first antenna (17, 17a) and the corresponding second antenna (19, 19a) are visibly spaced apart from each other and fixed facing each other on the carrier (20, 44), such that the first antenna (17, 17a) defines a first primary radio direction for transmitting and / or receiving radio signals, and the second antenna (19, 19a) defines a second primary radio direction for transmitting and / or receiving radio signals, wherein the first primary radio direction is coaxially opposite to the second primary radio direction, and The at least one first radio unit (16) and the at least one second radio unit (18) are configured to transmit signals and / or data between the application terminal (10) and the power supply terminal (12).

2. The medical device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The isolation device (8, 38, 42, 48, 52, 62) has two first radio units (16) and two second radio units (18). The first radio unit (16) and the second radio unit (18) are paired and face each other, and One pair is configured to transmit signals and / or data from the first radio unit (16) to the second radio unit (18), and the other pair is configured to transmit signals and / or data from the second radio unit (18) to the first radio unit (16).

3. The medical device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one first radio unit (16) and the at least one second radio unit (18) are respectively configured as transmitting and receiving units.

4. The medical device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The radio link (36) between the first antenna (17, 17a) and the second antenna (19, 19a) has an extension of 0.5 to 60 cm, and particularly preferably an extension of 1 to 40 cm.

5. The medical device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The carrier (20, 44) is configured as a single circuit board (44), on which at least one first radio unit (16) and at least one second radio unit (18) are mounted at a predetermined distance from each other.

6. The medical device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The circuit board (44) has a gap (46) between the first radio unit (16) and the second radio unit (18).

7. The medical device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The carrier (20, 44) has a first circuit board (26) and a second circuit board (28), which are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. The at least one first radio unit (16) is arranged on the first circuit board (26), and the at least one second radio unit (18) is arranged on the second circuit board (28).

8. The medical device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first antenna (17, 17a) and the second antenna (19, 19a) are printed on the carrier (20, 44).

9. The medical device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first antenna (17, 17a) and the second antenna (19, 19a) each have a horn structure (50) for establishing a directional radio connection.

10. The medical device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The isolation device (8, 38, 42, 48, 52, 62) has a first coupling unit (32) connected to the application terminal (10) and a second coupling unit (34) connected to the power supply terminal (12), the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit being configured to inductively and / or capacitively transmit electrical power from the power supply terminal (12) to the application terminal (10).

11. The medical device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The ratio of the distance (d) between the at least one first radio unit (16) and the at least one second radio unit (18) to the wavelength (L) of the signal, v = d / L, is in the range of 1.73 to 127.

12. The medical device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The region between the at least one first radio unit (16) and the at least one second radio unit (18) is at least partially filled with a material having a dielectric constant of 1 to 23 F / m and a conductivity of 0 to 0.01 S / m.

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