Endoscopy Light Source Unit RFID Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopy light source units face challenges in accurately tracking the usage hours of light bulbs, leading to potential failures during surgery and limited ability for manufacturers to monitor equipment performance and faults remotely.
Innovation Solution
Integration of RFID circuitry within the light source unit to wirelessly track the cumulative usage hours of light bulbs, enabling accurate tracking and communication with a remote server for data upload, including usage logs and error data, via a network interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID circuitry is integrated into the light source unit, then usage tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tracking methods with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to automatically track light bulb usage hours. The RFID tag attached to the light bulb communicates wirelessly with the light source unit's reader, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly improving tracking accuracy while reducing human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an RFID tag as an intermediary carrier between the light bulb and the light source unit's control system. This tag stores usage information and transmits it wirelessly to the reader, serving as a mediator that enables accurate tracking without requiring direct electrical connections or complex wiring modifications to the light bulb itself.
2Device complexity
If manual tracking methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service tracking where the RFID tag on the light bulb automatically records and transmits its own usage information to the light source unit. This eliminates the need for users to manually track usage hours, ensuring that accurate usage data is continuously captured and stored without human intervention or error.
3Loss of information
If network interface is added for remote communication, then manufacturer monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source unit is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both RFID reading capabilities and network communication interfaces. This allows the single device to perform multiple functions: tracking light bulb usage via RFID, storing usage data locally, and transmitting usage logs remotely via network connection, thereby improving manufacturer monitoring capability without requiring separate dedicated devices.
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
Ensures accurate tracking of light bulb usage, preventing unexpected failures and allowing manufacturers to predict and diagnose equipment issues, while facilitating software upgrades and improved customer support.
Implementation Method 1
An RFID tag is affixed to a light bulb assembly in a light source unit. The RFID tag on the light bulb assembly communicates with a conductively-powered radio frequency (RF) transceiver in the light source unit via a low-frequency modulation wave through the air
Data Source
AI summary
A unit of equipment designed for use in endoscopic surgery includes radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry and a network interface. The RFID circuitry can be used to store information of various types, such as component usage tracking information, user preferences, usage logs, error logs, device settings, etc. The network interface allows the unit to communicate over an external network with a remote server. Information, such as information stored in the RFID circuitry or in a separate memory, may be sent over the network to a desired destination, such as a server operated by the manufacturer of the equipment.