Connected Endoscope Assembly With Single-Unit Imaging Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical systems require separate capital units for larger and smaller endoscopes, leading to clutter and space occupation due to additional monitors, cabling, and connectors, which can complicate operational settings.
Innovation Solution
A single physical unit is used to process and display the imaging data from both the mother and daughter scopes, reducing the need for separate capital units by connecting the scopes via a single umbilicus and a male-female connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate capital units are used for each endoscope, then imaging data from both scopes can be processed and displayed, but additional monitors, cabling, and connectors clutter and occupy limited space within the operational setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two separate capital units into a single integrated capital unit that can process and display imaging data from both the mother scope and daughter scope simultaneously. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate monitors, cabling, and connectors, thereby reducing clutter and occupying less space in the operational setting while maintaining full imaging capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single capital unit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple imaging sources. It includes multiple receivers that can independently process imaging data from different endoscopes, allowing one device to perform the work of what would traditionally require two separate capital units, thus reducing spatial requirements without compromising imaging reliability.
2Reliability
If separate capital units are used for each endoscope, then each scope's imaging data can be independently processed, but the system complexity increases with additional monitors, cabling, and connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple processing functions into a single capital unit that maintains independent processing capabilities for each endoscope through multiple receivers. This integration reduces system complexity by eliminating redundant cabling, connectors, and separate monitor systems while preserving the ability to independently process and display imaging data from both the mother scope and daughter scope.
3Area of stationary object
If a single capital unit is used to process both imaging feeds, then space and clutter are reduced, but the device complexity of the capital unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capital unit incorporates multiple receivers within a single device, each capable of independently processing imaging data from different endoscopes. This multi-functional design allows the unit to handle multiple imaging feeds simultaneously without requiring separate processing systems, thereby reducing operational space while managing device complexity through integrated architecture.
Data Source
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Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A medical assembly comprising a first imaging device comprising a first handle and a first shaft extending distally from the first handle, a second imaging device comprising a second handle and a second shaft extending distally from the second handle, and an imaging unit, wherein the first imaging device further comprises a first imager at a distal end of the first shaft, a first cable extending from the first handle for connection to the imaging unit, and a first connector, wherein the second imaging device further comprises a second imager at a distal end of the second shaft and a second connector, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to connect, thereby transmitting imaging data from the second imager to the imaging unit via the first cable.