Surgical Lamp Visible Light Data Modulation for Secure OR Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems in operating rooms face issues with security, signal interference, and the encumbrance of cables, which pose risks to patients and medical personnel, and existing technologies like WLAN and WiFi fail to meet the requirements of fast data transmission and security, especially due to frequency overlapping and signal leakage.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system using light signals between devices, where a surgical lamp acts as a central element for transmitting and receiving control signals and data, utilizing light emitting diodes or laser diodes to modulate light for data transfer, with priority management and quality adjustment to minimize interference and ensure secure, high-priority data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If WLAN and WiFi are used for wireless communication in the operating room, then wireless data transmission is enabled, but security risks increase due to frequency overlapping and signal leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radio frequency-based wireless communication (WLAN/WiFi) with optical communication using visible light. This substitution fundamentally changes the transmission medium from electromagnetic radio waves to modulated visible light, thereby eliminating frequency overlapping issues and signal penetration through walls, while maintaining wireless communication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from radio frequency to visible light frequency. By modulating the intensity or frequency of visible light to carry data signals, the system achieves wireless communication with improved security characteristics, as visible light does not penetrate walls and is not subject to the same interference issues as radio frequencies.
2Reliability
If cables are used to connect operating room devices, then data transmission is reliable, but physical risks and infection risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical cable connections with optical wireless communication. By using modulated visible light to transmit data between devices, the system eliminates the need for physical cables, thereby removing tripping hazards, reducing infection transmission risks through cable connectors, and improving ease of movement in the operating room while maintaining reliable data transmission.
3Ease of operation
If visible light is used for both illumination and communication, then cable-free operation is achieved, but light modulation speed must be sufficiently rapid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of visible light intensity or frequency to encode data signals. By rapidly switching the light intensity between on and off states or varying its frequency in a periodic manner, the system achieves high-speed data transmission through the visible light medium, enabling the light source to serve dual purposes of illumination and communication simultaneously.
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 system enables secure, efficient, and cable-free data transmission in the operating room, reducing physical risks and improving data quality by using light signals to transmit control and output information, prioritizing communication access, and minimizing interference, thus enhancing patient safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The light signals are transferred in an exclusively wireless manner between the first device to the second device and carry information which information is modulated on the light signals
Implementation Method 2
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are often used as the light source because, amongst other things, their output can be modulated sufficiently rapidly
Implementation Method 3
In visible light communication systems, data signals are modulated into visible light. At practical data rates, the modulation is too rapid to be sensed by the human eye.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a communication system and devices forming part of this system, wherein light is used for the transmission signal. The communication system includes an apparatus for forwarding operating room device signals to a device which apparatus is configured to receive an analog signal comprising the operating room device signal and to produce a digital signal based upon the analog signal, the apparatus further being configured to produce a signal based upon the digital signal, wherein the signal is for modulating the output of a light source. This invention includes a device for managing access and priority of traffic within this system according to a specific hierarchy of priority starting with safety and ending with administrative information. (Fig. 2)