Single Connector for Medical Device Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional endoscopic systems require multiple connections for electrical and illumination signals, leading to increased user interaction and setup time, as well as space requirements due to separate units of capital equipment.
Innovation Solution
A medical device assembly that combines electrical and illumination connections into a single connector, allowing for a single cable to transmit both signals, and a control unit with a single housing containing the electrical interface, light source, and processing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate connections are used for electrical and illumination signals, then connection reliability is improved, but setup time and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate connections (electrical wire and illumination connector) into a single integrated connector assembly. This single connector simultaneously establishes both electrical and illumination connections when coupled to the control unit, reducing the number of separate connection operations required while maintaining the reliability of both connection types.
Solution Approach 2:
The single connector serves multiple functions by simultaneously transmitting both electrical signals and illumination light. The connector is designed to accommodate both the electrical wire and illumination connector, making it a multi-functional component that reduces setup complexity and time without compromising connection reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate units of capital equipment are used, then functional versatility is improved, but space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electrical interface and light source into a single control unit housing, combining what were previously separate capital equipment units. This consolidation maintains all necessary functions (electrical signal processing and illumination) while reducing the physical space required and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If multiple separate connections are used, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single connector integrates both electrical and illumination connection functions into one operation. When the user couples the single connector to the control unit, both electrical and illumination connections are established simultaneously, reducing the number of user interactions required while maintaining the reliability of each connection type through proper design of the integrated connector.
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 reduces setup time and space requirements by consolidating connections and equipment, while also potentially lowering costs by using less expensive components in the medical device and more expensive components in the control unit.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination connector may include at least one optical fiber configured to transmit light through the medical device
Implementation Method 2
the light source may include at least one light emitting diode configured to transmit light into the illumination connector
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a medical device assembly. The medical device assembly described herein may include a medical device and a control unit. The medical device may include an imaging apparatus, an electrical wire coupled to the imaging apparatus, an illumination device, an illumination connector coupled to the illumination device, and a connector coupled to the electrical wire and the illumination connector. The control unit may include an electrical interface, a light source, and a port, wherein the port is configured to receive the connector to operatively couple the electrical wire to the electrical interface, and to operatively couple the illumination connector to the light source, the connector being removably attachable to the port.