Photocoupler Signal Isolation for Capsule Endoscope Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional simplified image display apparatuses for capsule endoscopes face issues with electrical connections between external monitors and receiving devices, leading to potential leakage currents that can harm subjects carrying the receiving devices.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a non-linear output unit and input unit, such as a photocoupler, to transmit and receive signals without conducting wires, preventing electrical connections between the receiving device and external monitors, thereby isolating the receiving device from potential leakage currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiving device is electrically connected to the external monitor through the simplified image display apparatus, then real-time image display and external monitoring are enabled, but leakage current from the external monitor can flow to the receiving device, causing safety hazards to the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-linear output unit and non-linear input unit as intermediary components between the receiving device and external monitor. These units perform non-linear signal conversion that breaks electrical continuity, allowing image signal transmission while preventing leakage current flow from the external monitor to the receiving device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical connection with a non-linear optical or electromagnetic signal transmission system. The non-linear output unit converts electrical signals to non-linear signals (e.g., optical signals), which are then received and converted back by the non-linear input unit, eliminating the need for direct wire electrical connection and thereby preventing current flow.
2Ease of operation
If a direct electrical connection is used between the receiving device and external monitor, then signal transmission is simple and reliable, but the receiving device is exposed to potential electrical hazards from the external monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The non-linear output unit and non-linear input unit serve as intermediary components that maintain signal transmission functionality while breaking the electrical connection path. This allows the system to retain ease of operation through simple connection interfaces while eliminating electrical hazards through the non-linear signal conversion process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the non-linear output unit and non-linear input unit are used to prevent electrical connection, then subject safety is ensured, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses non-linear output and input units as intermediary components that, while adding some complexity, provide a standardized and integrated solution for safe signal transmission. The complexity is concentrated in these dedicated safety components rather than distributed throughout the entire system, making the overall architecture more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement of direct electrical connection with non-linear signal transmission, while technically more complex, eliminates the need for multiple safety mechanisms, isolation transformers, and complex grounding systems that would be required to achieve the same safety level with traditional electrical connections.
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
This configuration effectively prevents leakage currents from flowing into the receiving device, ensuring subject safety while allowing real-time image display and output to external monitors.
Implementation Method 1
a non-linear output unit electrically connected to the receiving device at the time of use, to output the electric signal input from the receiving device non-linearly to an output target not using a conducting wire; a non-linear input unit electrically insulated from the non-linear output unit, to input the electric signal output from the non-linear output unit
Data Source
AI summary
To realize a simplified image display apparatus that prevents electrical connection between an external monitor and a receiving device when an electric signal generated by the receiving device is transmitted to the external monitor. The simplified image display apparatus includes a photocoupler 23 formed of a light emitting unit 21 electrically connected only to an input terminal 10 and a light receiving unit 22 that receives light output from the light emitting unit 21, a demodulator 24 that demodulates a received radio signal, a switching unit 25 that outputs either one of electric signals from the photocoupler 23 and from the demodulator 24, and a data generator 26 that applies predetermined signal processing to the electric signal input from the switching unit 25 to generate image data, and outputs the image data to a display unit 9 and an output terminal 11.