Portable Endoscope with Spread Spectrum Wireless Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopes require an optical tower for power, lighting, and video processing, which is bulky and interferes with surgical team movement, and are susceptible to electromagnetic and radio wave interference, especially in non-controlled environments.
Innovation Solution
A portable endoscope integrating a camera, image processor, light source, transmitter, communication interface, and power source, using spread spectrum communication techniques for interference-free wireless data transmission, eliminating the need for cords and cables and allowing flexible operation in various settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an optical tower is used to provide power, lighting, and video processing for the endoscope, then the endoscope can perform surgical functions, but the system becomes bulky and interferes with surgical team movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical tower components (power source, monitor, light source, video receiver and processor) into a single integrated portable endoscope unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate optical tower equipment and reduces the overall system footprint, allowing surgical teams to move freely without being constrained by bulky external equipment and cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable endoscope integrates multiple functions including power supply, imaging, lighting, video processing, and wireless communication into a single device. This multi-functionality replaces the distributed optical tower system, providing all necessary surgical capabilities in a compact form factor that does not interfere with surgical team mobility.
2Ease of operation
If cords or cables are used to carry light, video signals, or power to the endoscope, then the endoscope can operate, but the cords interfere with the movement of the surgeon and surgical team
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. The endoscope transmits video and control signals wirelessly to external displays and receives power wirelessly or via battery, eliminating physical cords that constrain surgeon and surgical team movement while maintaining full operational capability.
3Reliability
If traditional wireless communication is used for endoscope data transmission, then the system is simpler, but the transmission is susceptible to electromagnetic and radio wave interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spread spectrum communication technology that changes the frequency parameters of the transmitted signal over time. This frequency hopping or frequency spreading approach distributes the signal across a wide frequency band, making the transmission resistant to electromagnetic interference and radio wave jamming while maintaining reliable data communication.
4Adaptability or versatility
If an optical tower is used for endoscopic procedures, then all necessary functions are available, but valuable floor space in the operating room is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all endoscopic functions previously requiring a separate optical tower into a single portable endoscope unit. This integration eliminates the need for large stationary optical tower equipment, freeing up valuable operating room floor space while maintaining all necessary endoscopic capabilities including imaging, lighting, video processing, and power supply.
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
Enables secure, interference-free data transmission and compact, portable endoscopic surgery in smaller spaces, including field hospitals and remote locations, with flexibility in transmission options and compatibility with various communication protocols, enhancing surgical efficiency and situational awareness.
Implementation Method 1
Spread spectrum refers to a system that spreads a signal over a large frequency band thereby providing a secure communication signal that is also more robust and impervious to potential sources of signal interference, signal jamming, and unauthorized eavesdropping and signal interception.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope that integrates the functions of an optical tower into a portable device, while eliminating the use of cords or cables that carry light, video signals or images, and power to the endoscope that may conflict with the movement of a surgeon and the members of the surgical team, or other operators in non-medical related applications is provided. The endoscope incorporates a camera, an image processor, a light source, a transmitter, a communication interface, a control interface, and one or more of a power source in a single portable unit or enclosure. The camera is in electrical communication with the image processor and supplies images and video to the image processor obtained via an elongated endoscope tube. The light source illuminates a viewing field of the endoscope via the elongated tube.