Video Laryngoscope Cable with Smart Camera Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video laryngoscopes face issues with image quality and consistency, leading practitioners to revert to traditional direct view laryngoscopes, as they do not provide unobstructed, real-time views of the upper airway anatomy during intubation, affecting intubation speed and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A video-based laryngoscope system with a laryngoscope blade, data cable, and video monitor that includes logical components for image data exchange, authentication, and optimized camera settings, allowing for real-time, unobstructed views of the upper airway anatomy, even when anatomy partially obscures the camera view, by negotiating and updating camera settings for improved image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If video laryngoscopes are used to provide remote viewing capability, then the likelihood of infection by medical personnel is reduced and patient safety is improved, but image quality and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic camera settings adjustment based on real-time detection of anatomical structures. The system automatically modifies exposure, gain, and other imaging parameters during the intubation procedure to maintain optimal image quality despite varying lighting conditions and anatomical obscuration, thereby resolving the contradiction between remote viewing safety benefits and image quality consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple camera parameters simultaneously including exposure time, gain settings, and illumination intensity to compensate for challenging environments. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on detected anatomical landmarks and lighting conditions, the system maintains high image quality while preserving the safety advantages of remote video laryngoscopy
2Reliability
If traditional direct view laryngoscopes are used, then unobstructed real-time views of upper airway anatomy are achieved, but medical personnel must be unduly close to the patient's nose and mouth increasing infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a video camera system as an intermediary between the medical personnel and the patient's airway. The camera captures images through the laryngoscope blade and transmits them to a remote display, allowing practitioners to maintain safe distance while obtaining clear views of anatomical structures, thus resolving the contradiction between intubation effectiveness and infection risk
3Device complexity
If camera settings are fixed in video laryngoscopes, then device simplicity is maintained, but image quality deteriorates in challenging environments where anatomy partially obscures the camera view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the camera system automatically detects anatomical structures and adjusts its own settings without external intervention. The system monitors image quality metrics and autonomously modifies exposure, gain, and focus parameters to maintain optimal imaging conditions, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and image quality consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops that continuously monitor image quality and anatomical visibility, then automatically adjust camera parameters in response. This closed-loop control enables the system to maintain high image quality in varying conditions without requiring complex manual configuration or sacrificing operational simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A video data cable for use with a video medical device comprising an image capture device includes a processor; data storage; logic to identify the video medical device; logic to determine which of the video medical device or the data cable have a most up-to-date set of image capture settings based on the identified video medical device; logic to transmit the most up-to-date set of image capture settings to the video medical device when it is determined that the data cable includes the most up-to-date set of image capture settings; and logic to receive the most up-to-date set of image capture settings to the video medical device when it is determined that the data cable includes the most up-to-date set of image capture settings.