RF Waveguide Isolation Interface for High-Speed Surgical Data Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data transmission across electrical isolation barriers in surgical instruments, such as endoscopes, is limited to low data rates (less than 1 Gbps), causing latency and inefficiency in real-time image processing, especially for high-definition stereoscopic images, and poses a risk of electric discharge due to capacitive coupling of high-frequency electrical current.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency (RF) communication interface assembly is implemented on a single printed circuit board (PCB) within surgical instruments, comprising an RF transmitter and receiver out of direct alignment, with a waveguide to guide RF signals, enabling high-speed data transmission (greater than 1 Gbps) while maintaining electrical isolation and preventing capacitive coupling of electrical current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an isolation barrier is implemented to prevent capacitive coupling of electrical current, then patient safety is improved, but data transmission rate is limited to less than 1 Gbps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical data transmission methods with optical transmission. Optical fibers or wireless optical communication are used to transmit data across the isolation barrier, eliminating the capacitive coupling issue while enabling high-speed data transmission greater than 1 Gbps. This substitution of transmission medium resolves the contradiction by providing both safety and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (optical fiber or optical wireless channel) between the two electrical circuits separated by the isolation barrier. This intermediary allows high-speed data transmission without direct electrical contact, maintaining the isolation barrier's safety function while achieving the required data transmission rates for real-time HD stereoscopic image processing.
2Device complexity
If conventional data transmission methods are used across the isolation barrier, then device complexity is reduced, but latency and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical transmission for electrical transmission across the isolation barrier. Optical fibers or wireless optical channels provide significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency compared to conventional electrical methods, enabling real-time processing of high-definition stereoscopic images without compromising the relatively simple isolation barrier design.
3Ease of operation
If the electrical cable contacts the grounded surface, then cable flexibility is improved, but capacitive coupling creates discharge risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary that breaks the capacitive coupling path between the electrical cable and grounded surfaces. By transmitting data optically rather than electrically across the isolation barrier, the system maintains cable flexibility for easy positioning while eliminating the harmful capacitive coupling effect that causes electric discharge risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission across the isolation barrier. This substitution eliminates the capacitive coupling mechanism entirely, allowing the electrical cable to contact grounded surfaces without creating discharge paths, while maintaining full cable flexibility for operational ease.
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 solution allows for efficient and real-time processing of high-definition images by achieving data transmission rates greater than 1 Gbps across electrical isolation barriers, reducing the risk of electric discharge and ensuring safe operation during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide between the RF transmitter and the RF receiver and configured to guide an RF signal representative of the data between the RF transmitter and the RF receiver
Implementation Method 2
an RF transmitter on the PCB, electrically coupled to the first electrical circuit, and electrically isolated from the second electrical circuit, an RF receiver on the PCB
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative system may include a radio frequency (“RF”) transmitter electrically coupled to a first electrical circuit and electrically isolated from a second electrical circuit; an RF receiver having a top surface that is parallel with a top surface of the RF transmitter, the RF receiver electrically coupled to the second electrical circuit and electrically isolated from the first electrical circuit; and a waveguide between the RF transmitter and the RF receiver and configured to guide an RF signal representative of data between the RF transmitter and the RF receiver, the data provided by the first electrical circuit, the waveguide comprising an input port that at least partially covers the top surface of the RF transmitter, and an output port that at least partially covers the top surface of the RF receiver.