Medical Imaging Data Adapter for Secure Wireless Endoscope Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging instruments face issues with cable clutter, compatibility with new display devices, incorrect data transmission to unintended display devices, and operational inefficiencies in time-critical situations, leading to reduced usability, safety, and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A medical system with a data transmission adapter that converts wired endoscopes to wireless operation, includes a security unit for confirmed coupling, and utilizes gesture recognition for intuitive device pairing, ensuring secure and efficient image data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired endoscopes are used for data transmission, then data transmission stability is improved, but cable clutter and interference with medical personnel movement occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission stabilityVSAvoidmedical personnel movement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data transmission function from the physical cable connection and implements it through wireless communication. The endoscope system transmits image data wirelessly to the display device, eliminating the need for physical cables connecting these components while maintaining data transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based data transmission system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical cables to transmit image data from the endoscope to the display device, the system uses wireless transmission technology to achieve the same data transfer function without mechanical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If wireless endoscopes are used to eliminate cables, then medical personnel movement freedom is improved, but compatibility issues with existing display devices occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedical personnel movement freedomVSAvoidcompatibility with display devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dual-mode data transmission system that supports both wired and wireless communication protocols. The endoscope can transmit image data through cables when connected to legacy display devices, and through wireless communication when paired with modern display devices, thereby achieving universal compatibility across different device generations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic transmission system that can adapt its data transmission mode based on the display device being used. The system automatically switches between wired and wireless transmission modes depending on whether a legacy or modern display device is detected, providing flexible adaptability to different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If wireless image data transmission is implemented, then cable clutter is reduced, but risk of incorrect data transmission to unintended display devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational comfortVSAvoiddata transmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a confirmation mechanism where the display device provides visual feedback by displaying an identification feature. The endoscope captures an image of this feature to confirm it is connected to the correct device. This feedback loop ensures that image data is only transmitted to the intended display device, preventing transmission errors in wireless multi-device environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent requires that the identification feature be displayed on the display device before image data transmission begins. This preliminary action of displaying and confirming the identification feature ensures that the correct transmission path is established before actual image data is sent, preventing incorrect transmissions to unintended devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple display devices are present in the system, then flexibility and usability are improved, but device pairing complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay device selection flexibilityVSAvoiddevice pairing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automatic pairing mechanism where the endoscope and display device automatically establish connection and pairing without requiring manual configuration by medical personnel. The system self-services the pairing process by automatically detecting available devices, establishing connections, and confirming proper pairing through the identification feature mechanism, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual pairing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4585138A1Medical system, data transmission adapter, method for retrofitting a medical imaging instrument, method for transmitting image data, and method for operating a medical system
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG
  • EP4585138A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4585138A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4585138A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a medical system (10) comprising a medical imaging instrument (12) configured to generate image data and comprising a plug connection (14) for connecting a data cable (16), and a data transmission adapter (18) detachably connectable to the plug connection (14) and configured to receive the image data via the plug connection (14) and to wirelessly transmit data based on the image data. The present invention also relates to a data transmission adapter (18), a method for retrofitting a medical imaging instrument (12, 42), and a method for transmitting image data.