Disposable Arthroscope with Integrated Image Rotation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional arthroscopic systems with reusable scopes pose a risk of infection due to incomplete sterilization and require cumbersome image adjustments, as the camera module and lens set are detachable, making it difficult to correct skewed images without rotating the lens set or accessing the processing system.
Innovation Solution
A disposable arthroscopic system with a tied lens set and image sensor, featuring a control interface that allows arbitrary image rotation from 1° to 360°, enabling doctors to adjust images without detaching components, using a Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) or low-voltage differential signaling device for data transmission and processing, and a processing system for image rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reusable arthroscope is used, then cost is reduced, but the risk of infection increases due to incomplete sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable arthroscope that is used once and then discarded, eliminating the need for complex sterilization processes. This single-use approach ensures complete elimination of infection risk from sterilization failures while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simplified manufacturing and disposal protocols.
2Ease of operation
If the camera module and lens set are detachable, then flexibility is improved, but image rotation becomes difficult without rotating the lens set
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera module and lens set into a single integrated disposable arthroscope unit that cannot be detached. This merging eliminates the complexity of managing separate components while enabling simplified image rotation through software control of the integrated image sensor, allowing doctors to rotate images without physically rotating the lens set.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically rotating the lens set with a digital/image processing approach where the image sensor captures the image and software rotates the image data. This substitution allows image rotation to be performed electronically without any mechanical movement of the arthroscope components.
3Reliability
If the lens set and image sensor are tied together, then infection risk is reduced, but image rotation requires accessing the processing system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for physical access to the processing system with a wireless communication system. The integrated arthroscope includes a transmitter that wirelessly transmits image data and control signals bidirectionally, allowing doctors to rotate images from the distal end without physically accessing the processing system at the proximal end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the disposable arthroscope and the processing system. This wireless intermediary allows control signals to be transmitted from the distal end to the processing system and image data to be transmitted back, enabling image rotation without physical access to the processing system.
4Ease of operation
If a control interface is added to the transmitter, then image rotation can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control interface on the transmitter that serves multiple functions: it controls image rotation, transmits image data bidirectionally, and enables wireless communication between the distal and proximal ends. This multi-functional design allows comprehensive control capabilities without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces the risk of infection by being disposable and allows convenient, efficient image adjustment without the need to rotate the lens set or access remote processing systems, enhancing surgical efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a light source, a lens set, an image sensor, the light source set up to the distal end for providing a light, the lens set up to the distal end for gathering the light
Implementation Method 2
the image sensor set up next to the lens set for generating digital raw data from the light
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an arthroscopic system including an disposable arthroscope having a distal end and a proximal end, and including a light source, a lens set, an image sensor, a transmitter, and a control interface. The arthroscopic system eliminates the possibility of infecting the patient with contaminated devices by its cost-effectively disposable arthroscope. Also provided is a method for image rotating in an arthroscopic system.