Network-Based Surgical System Ethernet Protocol Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical systems require separate communication protocols and hardware for different data types and bandwidths, making it inefficient to transmit digital video data, and lack a standardized approach for accommodating devices with varying maximum throughputs.
Innovation Solution
A network-based surgical system utilizing a single, high-speed Ethernet network with commercially available protocols, enabling devices with different maximum throughputs to communicate using the same protocol, and incorporating a network switch for routing and switching capabilities to isolate and manage data transmission between medical devices, including cameras and display devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate communication protocols and hardware are used for different data types and bandwidths, then command and control functions can be performed reliably, but video transmission efficiency deteriorates and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges command/control/status functions and video transmission functions into a single Ethernet network infrastructure. Both types of data traffic share the same physical network medium and protocol stack, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware and protocols. This consolidation maintains reliability through Ethernet's established error handling while dramatically improving video transmission efficiency by utilizing the full bandwidth of the shared medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet network interface is designed to handle multiple functions universally - it can transmit both low-bandwidth command and control packets and high-bandwidth video data streams through the same interface. The system uses a single type of connection hardware that adapts to different data requirements through software configuration and protocol handling, rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each function type.
2Productivity
If separate connection hardware and protocols are used for video transmission, then video data can be transmitted at high bandwidth, but device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines video transmission capability with standard Ethernet network hardware. Instead of requiring separate video transmission hardware, the system uses the same Ethernet network interface cards, switches, and c infrastructure for both video and data traffic. This merging reduces the total number of hardware components while maintaining high video bandwidth through the shared Ethernet medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet network infrastructure is designed to perform multiple functions - it serves as both the command/control communication channel and the video transmission channel. A single Ethernet network interface can dynamically handle different data types and bandwidth requirements, making the hardware universal rather than specialized. This eliminates the need for multiple types of connection hardware.
3Ease of operation
If a single communication protocol is used for all devices, then system standardization and ease of operation improve, but accommodating devices with different maximum throughputs becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to different device throughput requirements within the uniform Ethernet protocol framework. Network switches and interface cards automatically negotiate and adjust transmission parameters based on the capabilities of connected devices. This dynamic adaptation allows the standardized Ethernet protocol to efficiently accommodate both low-bandwidth control devices and high-bandwidth video cameras without requiring different protocols for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as data packet size, transmission timing, and bandwidth allocation based on the specific requirements of each device while maintaining the same Ethernet protocol. High-throughput devices like video cameras receive larger packet allocations and higher priority bandwidth, while low-throughput control devices use smaller packets. This parameter flexibility within a standardized protocol enables both ease of operation and adaptability to varying device capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network based surgical system including a first medical device (104) having a first network interface (140), a second medical device (130; 132) having a second network interface (144; 146), a communications network over which the first medical device (104), through the first network interface (140), and the second medical device (130; 132), through the second network interface (144; 146), are communicable, wherein the first network interface (140) and the second network interface (144; 146) employ the same network protocol for communicating over the communications network, and wherein the first network interface (140) has a maximum throughput greater than a maximum throughput of the second network interface (144; 146).