Medical Device Control Translator for Network Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device control systems, such as those using CAN buses, are inefficient in transmitting large amounts of data and often incompatible with all devices a surgeon may need during a procedure, limiting the ability to control both primary and ancillary devices simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a surgical network, an input device, a controller, a translator, and an ancillary network, allowing for the translation of medical commands and high-bandwidth data streams between incompatible devices, enabling simultaneous control of primary and ancillary medical devices through interfaces like Ethernet or Bluetooth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a CAN bus or similar surgical network is used to control medical devices, then device control capability is improved, but data transmission speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the network into two separate networks: a surgical network for device control and an ancillary network for high-speed data transmission. This segmentation allows each network to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between control capability and transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
A translator device acts as an intermediary between the surgical network and ancillary network, enabling communication and data exchange while maintaining the independence and optimization of each network for its specific purpose.
2Device complexity
If a single surgical network is used to control medical devices, then system simplicity is improved, but device compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The translator device provides universal compatibility by supporting multiple communication protocols and interfaces, allowing devices from different networks and standards to interoperate within the integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The translator serves as a mediator that bridges incompatible devices and networks, enabling them to communicate through protocol conversion and interface adaptation while maintaining individual device independence.
3Ease of operation
If all devices are connected to the surgical network, then central control capability is improved, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments data transmission paths by routing control commands through the surgical network while routing high-bandwidth data through the ancillary network, thereby maintaining central control capability while maximizing data transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different network paths are assigned different qualities optimized for their specific purposes: the surgical network provides reliable control signaling while the ancillary network provides high-speed data transmission, allowing each data type to use the most appropriate pathway.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling medical devices is disclosed, generally comprising a surgical network, an input device for entering a medical command, a controller for generating medical command data, and a translator for communicating with at least one ancillary device, where the ancillary device is either a device that is not compatible with the surgical network or is a device that generates high-bandwidth data. In some embodiments, the ancillary device is connected via Ethernet for high-bandwidth data transmission or via Bluetooth for wireless control.