Modular Medical Imaging System Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems, particularly endoscopic cameras, face compatibility issues due to varying camera technologies, requiring frequent updates and replacements of Camera Control Units (CCUs) to support new camera technologies, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A modular medical imaging system with a control module that is compatible with multiple input modules, allowing for efficient updates and reconfiguration, enabling backwards and forwards compatibility with existing and future technologies, and allowing input modules to default to a powered-on state when disconnected, facilitating seamless connection and disconnection without resetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a CCU is designed to support multiple camera technologies, then compatibility is improved, but hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a control module that handles camera control and a display module that handles image processing and display. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining compatibility across multiple camera technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module is designed with universal functionality to support multiple camera technologies through a standardized interface. It can control various camera types (analog, digital, HD, SD) without requiring hardware changes, achieving multi-functionality through software and standardized protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a CCU is updated to support new camera technologies, then adaptability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module employs dynamic software that can be updated and reconfigured to support new camera technologies. This allows the system to adapt to new cameras through software updates rather than hardware replacements, reducing costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses configurable parameters and settings that can be adjusted to accommodate different camera technologies. By changing software parameters rather than hardware components, the system can support new cameras at minimal cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a CCU is reconfigured to work with new camera technology, then compatibility is improved, but time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control module includes automatic detection and configuration capabilities that reduce manual reconfiguration efforts. When a new camera is connected, the system can automatically detect its parameters and adjust settings, minimizing the time and labor required for compatibility adjustments.
4Weight of moving object
If camera head electronics are separated from processing circuitry, then camera head size and weight are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronics that would increase camera head weight are extracted and relocated to the control module. This separation reduces camera head weight while the control module, which is not part of the moving camera head, handles the processing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A standardized interface and communication protocol act as an intermediary between the simplified camera head and the control module. This intermediary enables the separated components to work together seamlessly, managing the system architecture complexity through standardized connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular video imaging system, and more particularly, a modular video imaging system having a control module connectable to multiple input modules. The control module and each input module having its own power supply and the input modules each capable of receiving differing types of image data from different types of cameras and processing the image data into a format recognizable by the control module. The control module controlling the ON/OFF condition of the input modules, such that each input module can be connected and disconnected during use.