Medical Scope RF Interface for Isolated Power and Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical endoscopes require an electrical isolation barrier between the camera control unit and the endoscope to prevent inappropriate electrical signals from reaching the patient, which complicates the circuitry and increases costs, especially due to the expensive cable portion that also poses challenges during rotation during use.
Innovation Solution
A medical camera system with a video medical scope that includes a distal and proximal portion with a radio frequency (RF) interface for wireless power and data transmission across a patient isolation barrier, allowing for detachability and rotatability while maintaining electrical isolation, using RF antennas and inductive coils for power transfer and data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrical isolation barrier is implemented between the camera control unit and endoscope, then patient safety is improved by preventing inappropriate electrical signals, but device complexity and cost increase due to complicated circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical cable connection with a magnetic coupling system that uses electromagnetic induction for power transfer and separate optical fibers for data transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for electrical isolation barriers in the circuitry while maintaining patient safety, as the magnetic coupling provides inherent electrical isolation through the physical separation of conductive paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct functional components: magnetic coupling elements for power transfer, optical fibers for data transmission, and mechanical coupling mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the magnetic coupling providing electrical isolation without requiring complex circuitry integration.
2Reliability
If a cable is used to provide both power and data signals, then connection reliability is improved, but rotation during use becomes challenging and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable system with a magnetic coupling system that allows for easier rotation and movement. The magnetic fields can penetrate through non-conductive materials and maintain coupling even during rotation, eliminating the torsional constraints and potential cable damage issues associated with traditional cable-based connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary for power transfer and optical signals as an intermediary for data transmission. These intermediaries allow for flexible movement and rotation between the camera control unit and endoscope without the physical constraints of a cable, while maintaining reliable connection through the intermediary coupling mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables efficient and isolated power and data transmission across the patient isolation barrier, simplifying the circuitry of the camera control unit and allowing for interchangeable and disposable distal portions, while enabling rotation without disrupting communication or power supply.
Implementation Method 1
a first radio frequency (RF) transmitter including a first RF antenna communicatively coupled to a first RF modulator and configured to transmit RF signals wirelessly beyond the enclosed space
Implementation Method 2
A power transmitting element is provided for wirelessly transmitting the electrical power when the first power transfer element is placed within a power coupling distance from the first receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
A medical camera system includes a video medical scope defining an enclosed space within a distal portion and a proximal portion that a user can attach and detach to each other. The two portions both have an interface for coupling to each other allowing radio frequency communications across a patient isolation barrier having improvements to avoid interfering with surrounding equipment. Power transfer elements provide for power transfer across the patient isolation barrier.