Galvanic Isolation for Encrypted Clinical-Surgical Data Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing galvanic isolation circuits do not adequately support the integration and secure storage of clinical-surgical data in medical environments, failing to protect patients and equipment from electrical surges and potential differences, and lack compatibility with various signal types.
Innovation Solution
A galvanic isolation system with a digital isolator and physical isolation barrier is integrated into a device for capturing and storing clinical-surgical data, ensuring electrical isolation and preventing electrical surges by using capacitive, inductive, or optical isolation methods, and supporting high-speed signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic equipment is electrically connected to medical devices to integrate and store clinical-surgical data, then data integration and storage capability is improved, but electrical safety deteriorates due to potential differences and current surges that can harm patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrical isolator as an intermediary component between the data integration equipment and the medical device. This isolator includes a physical isolation barrier and a digital isolator that prevents electrical current flow while allowing data transmission, thus eliminating the harmful electrical discharge risk to patients while maintaining data integration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into electrically isolated zones: the medical device side and the data integration equipment side. The electrical isolator creates distinct electrical domains that are galvanically isolated, allowing each side to operate at different electrical potentials without creating harmful current paths through the patient
2Object-affected harmful factors
If galvanic isolation is implemented to protect patients from electrical discharge, then patient safety is improved, but signal transmission capability deteriorates due to potential differences between isolated circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The digital isolator acts as an intermediary that transfers digital signals across the galvanic isolation barrier. It converts electrical signals to non-electrical forms (optical, magnetic, or capacitive) for transmission through the isolation barrier, then converts them back, maintaining signal integrity while preventing electrical discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical signal transmission across the isolation barrier with alternative physical mechanisms such as optical signals, magnetic coupling, or capacitive coupling. This substitution allows signal transmission without electrical current flow, eliminating the harmful effects while preserving data integrity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing galvanic isolation circuits are used for electrical isolation, then some electrical protection is improved, but compatibility with various signal types deteriorates as they are not designed for clinical-surgical data integration
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical isolator is designed with multi-functionality to handle various signal types including video, audio, and digital data signals. It incorporates multiple isolation channels and interfaces that can accommodate different clinical-surgical equipment connections, making the system universally compatible while maintaining electrical protection
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator is designed to accommodate different electrical parameters and signal characteristics by implementing adjustable isolation levels, multiple voltage tolerances, and configurable isolation modes. This allows the same isolator to work with diverse signal types from different medical devices while maintaining adequate electrical protection
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 solution effectively isolates and secures clinical-surgical data, reducing the risk of electrical discharge to patients and equipment, while supporting diverse signal types and ensuring secure, encrypted storage and access.
Implementation Method 1
using capacitive, inductive, or optical isolation methods
Implementation Method 2
using capacitive, inductive, or optical isolation methods
Implementation Method 3
using capacitive, inductive, or optical isolation methods
Implementation Method 4
an electrical isolator arranged in the inputs receiving the physical connections of the signal sources
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes means for encrypted storage of clinical-surgical data from a clinical-surgical environment, and a device adapted for such function being proposed. Specifically, the present invention comprises an integrator provided with a processor being capable of receiving clinical-surgical data from a plurality of signal sources, such that the integrator comprises an electrical isolator arranged at the inputs receiving the physical connections of the signal sources, providing a high degree security in order to avoid fraud, damage to data/signals generated in the clinical-surgical event and injury to the patient. The present invention refers to the fields of health, medicine, information technology and electrical engineering.