Medical Imaging Cable With PCB Authentication Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging systems lack a reliable method to authenticate and store information about the cable connecting the camera head to the camera control unit, leading to potential use of inferior cables and inaccurate tracking of device usage and calibration data.

Innovation Solution

A cable with an integrated printed circuit board that includes memory and authentication components to securely store and communicate information, allowing the camera control unit to authenticate the cable and track device usage, ensuring only compliant cables are used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication components and memory are integrated into the cable, then cable authentication reliability is improved, but cable complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable authentication reliabilityVSAvoidcable complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts authentication functionality from the camera head and relocates it to the cable itself. The cable includes an authentication component with a processor and memory that can independently verify authenticity, separating the authentication function from the imaging device and placing it in the connecting cable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable is transformed from a simple connecting component into a multi-functional device that handles both signal transmission and authentication. The authentication component within the cable performs multiple functions including verifying authenticity, storing calibration data, and managing device identification, making the cable a universal interface for both connection and security.

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

2Reliability

If authentication components are integrated into the cable, then system security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication component is pre-programmed with calibration data and identification information during manufacturing. The memory stores authentication algorithms and encryption keys before the cable reaches the end user, so that when the cable is connected to the camera head, authentication can immediately occur without requiring additional programming or configuration steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If device usage and calibration data are stored on the cable, then information tracking accuracy is improved, but data storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation tracking accuracyVSAvoiddata storage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different types of data are stored in specific locations within the cable's memory structure. Calibration data, device identification information, and usage tracking data are separated into distinct storage segments, allowing the system to access and manage different data types efficiently without requiring a monolithic storage approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12453461B2Systems and methods for connecting a medical imaging device to a medical imaging controller
Publication Date: 2025.10.28 STRYKER CORP
  • US12453461B2 patent drawing
  • US12453461B2 patent drawing
  • US12453461B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A cable for connecting a medical imaging device to a medical imaging controller includes a first connector located at a distal end of the cable for connecting to the imaging device, a second connector located at a proximal end for connecting to the medical imaging controller, a circuit board comprising at least one memory that stores at least authentication information associated with the cable. The circuit board is communicatively connected via a communication bus on the circuit board to the second connector for enabling access to the authentication information by the medical imaging controller. One or more imaging communication lines extend between the first connector and the second connector for communicating imaging data from the medical imaging device to the medical imaging controller. The one or more imaging communication lines bypass the communication bus on the circuit board.