Disposable Endoscope Universal Interface for Legacy Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disposable endoscopes are not adaptable for use with legacy video endoscopic systems commonly found in hospital operating rooms, and reusable endoscopes face challenges with sterilization and fragility.
Innovation Solution
A medical endoscope imaging system with a disposable endoscope and a universal image communication link that allows coupling with multiple legacy video endoscopic systems, featuring a detachable image display and camera-sensor configuration, including wireless communication options and electromagnetic interference shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable endoscopes are used, then sterilization complexity is reduced, but adaptability to legacy video endoscopic systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display housing is designed with a universal interface that can couple to multiple different legacy video endoscopic systems through various mounting mechanisms (C-mount, flange, adapter). This allows a single disposable endoscope design to work with numerous existing systems, achieving multi-functionality and broad compatibility without requiring sterilization of the display housing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reusable endoscopes are used, then adaptability to existing systems is improved, but device complexity and sterilization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope system is divided into two distinct segments: a disposable endoscope portion and a reusable display housing portion. The display housing containing the image sensor and processing electronics is separated from the sterile field, allowing the endoscope to remain simple and disposable while the complex display housing handles system compatibility and image processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal image communication link is implemented, then adaptability to multiple systems is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display housing acts as an intermediary component between the disposable endoscope and legacy video systems. It provides the complex coupling mechanisms, mounting interfaces, and signal processing capabilities, while the disposable endoscope remains relatively simple. This mediator approach concentrates complexity in the reusable portion.
4Ease of manufacture
If the image sensor is detachably coupled to the display housing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability of connection may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between display housing and legacy systems is designed to be dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. Multiple mounting mechanisms allow the display housing to be securely attached to different system types while maintaining reliable electrical and mechanical connections through standardized interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical endoscope imaging systems and methods of using the same are disclosed. The imaging systems can have an endoscope having an image sensor, a display housing having an image display, a communication link configured to couple the image sensor to the image display, and a camera housing having a camera-sensor. The display housing can be configured to be detachably coupled to the camera housing. The camera-sensor can be configured to receive signals from the image display.