Interchangeable Medical Tool System with Adaptive Image Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical instruments are often specialized for specific procedures, making them non-interchangeable and requiring multiple instruments for various tasks, which increases storage space, costs, and reduces portability, limiting caregivers' ability to provide appropriate treatment, especially in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with an image capture and processing portion and an interchangeable tool portion that can detect and adapt to different medical tools, allowing for the capture and processing of medical images, and transmission to an external device for coaching and asset management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized medical instruments are used for different procedures, then the functionality and procedure coverage are improved, but the storage space requirement, cost, and portability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure coverageVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal medical device with a standardized handle assembly that can accept multiple interchangeable medical tool portions. Each tool portion is designed with a standardized interface that connects to the handle, allowing a single base unit to perform multiple different medical procedures by simply swapping tool portions. This multi-functionality approach enables the device to cover various procedures (laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, endoscopy, etc.) while maintaining a consistent form factor and control interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The medical device is segmented into distinct modular components: a reusable handle assembly containing the image capture device, light source, and control electronics, and interchangeable tool portions containing the specific functional elements (blades, scopes, sensors). This segmentation allows the tool portions to be swapped independently while the handle remains stationary, reducing the need to store multiple complete devices and enabling compact storage of just the handle with multiple small tool portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized medical instruments are used for different procedures, then the functionality and procedure coverage are improved, but the device complexity and cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure coverageVSAvoidinstrument variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the common functional elements (image capture device, light source, display, control electronics) into a single reusable handle assembly that serves all procedural needs. Only the procedure-specific elements are separated into interchangeable tool portions. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components across multiple devices while maintaining the ability to perform diverse procedures through tool portion interchangeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized medical instruments are used for different procedures, then the functionality and procedure coverage are improved, but the portability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure coverageVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The medical device is segmented into distinct modular components: a reusable handle assembly containing the image capture device, light source, and control electronics, and interchangeable tool portions containing the specific functional elements (blades, scopes, sensors). This segmentation allows the tool portions to be swapped independently while the handle remains stationary, reducing the need to store and transport multiple complete devices and enabling compact storage of just the handle with multiple small tool portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10588486B2Multi-function video system with interchangeable medical tool

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 PHYSIO CONTROL CORP

AI summary

Medical device, system, method for capturing medical images includes an image capture and processing portion and an interchangeable medical tool portion. The image capture and processing portion is configured to capture and process a photo image, a video stream of images, or a coded image. The interchangeable medical tool portion is configured to connect to the image capture and processing portion. The image capture and processing portion further includes a configuration module configured to detect a connection of the medical tool portion to the image capture and processing portion, determine the type of the interchangeable medical tool portion connected, and adapt the image capture and processing portion to the detected type of the medical tool portion. The medical device may transmit medical images to an external device for interpretation by an expert, providing coaching to the user of the medical device, and for asset management, decision support, and/or other purposes.