Programmable Medical Camera Platform for Remote Video Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical camera platforms in the operating room have rudimentary functionality for setup, control, image display, and image capture, making them inconvenient to use, which hinders efficient surgical procedures and personnel performance.
Innovation Solution
A medical camera system with a programmable control platform that includes a camera interface, programmable controller, live surgical video monitor interface, network connections, external mass storage, and program applications for enhanced configuration, control, and image management, allowing for improved usability and remote access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand-held video camera and illuminator module are used with optical cable, then less invasive surgical procedures are enabled, but the setup and control functionality becomes rudimentary and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The control platform is designed as a universal system that can interface with multiple camera types and perform diverse functions including live video streaming, still image capture, video recording, and remote monitoring. The platform incorporates multiple interfaces (USB, Ethernet, wireless) and supports various protocols, allowing it to replace multiple specialized devices with a single multi-functional unit, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control platform serves as an intermediary between the camera module and the surgeon/operator. It provides a user-friendly interface that translates complex camera operations into simple controls, while also serving as a mediator between the camera and external systems (computers, monitors, storage devices). This intermediary role simplifies the operation for users while managing the technical complexity in the background.
2Ease of operation
If integrated video over IP and remote access are added, then usability and accessibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication and control functions into a single integrated control platform. Video over IP streaming, remote access capabilities, still image capture, video recording, and various control functions are combined in one device. This consolidation improves usability by providing all needed functions in one location while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control platform is designed with universal interfaces including USB, Ethernet, and wireless connections that support multiple protocols and functions. This multi-functional design allows the same device to serve multiple purposes: local control, remote access, video streaming, image capture, and data storage, thereby improving accessibility without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Productivity
If preset surgeon settings and automated configuration are implemented, then operation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control platform incorporates preset surgeon settings that are pre-configured before use. The system includes memory for storing surgeon-specific configurations, and automatically loads the appropriate settings when a surgeon logs in or uses a particular camera. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for manual setup during procedures, significantly improving operation efficiency while the complexity is managed through automated configuration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting the connected camera type, loading the appropriate driver, and applying the surgeon's preset settings without manual intervention. The control platform self-manages its configuration based on stored profiles, reducing the operational burden on the user while the underlying complexity is handled automatically by the system's own resources.
4Reliability
If separate camera and image capture subsystems are used, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control platform is divided into separate functional subsystems: a camera subsystem for capturing images and a dedicated image capture subsystem for processing and storing still images. This segmentation isolates potential failure points, ensuring that issues in one subsystem (e.g., camera malfunction) cannot propagate to affect the other (e.g., image capture and display), thereby improving reliability. The modular architecture manages complexity by organizing functions into independent, manageable units.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a medical platform system that overcomes many of the shortcomings of current systems. The novel platform provides simultaneous image display and capture, network based wireless control, preferably by way of a web browser, and the capacity to acquire surgeon specific setting by way of removable storage devices.