Secure Wireless Video Overlay for Surgical Microscopes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video overlay systems for surgical procedures often require physical connections or insecure wireless configurations, posing challenges in data transmission and security during surgical operations.
Innovation Solution
A video overlay system that includes a device with a video input port, a data port for a removable storage device containing encrypted WiFi configuration data, and a WiFi transceiver to connect securely to a surgical console's local WiFi network, overlaying surgical parameters onto images from a surgical microscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical connection via data cable is used between surgical console and video overlay system, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cable management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless WiFi communication system. The video overlay system communicates with the surgical console parameters through wireless data transmission, eliminating the need for physical data cables while maintaining data transmission functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an encrypted configuration file as an intermediary medium. This file contains pre-configured WiFi network credentials that enable the video overlay system to automatically connect to the surgical console's wireless network without manual intervention, serving as a bridge between the two systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual WiFi configuration is used, then adaptability is improved, but security deteriorates due to exposure of network passwords and configuration data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs configuration actions in advance by pre-creating encrypted WiFi configuration files containing network credentials. These files are prepared before the surgical procedure begins, allowing the video overlay system to automatically connect to the surgical console's wireless network without real-time manual configuration, thereby preventing exposure of sensitive data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses encrypted configuration files that contain copied WiFi network credentials. Instead of requiring operators to manually enter passwords, the system copies pre-stored encrypted configuration data from a file to establish the wireless connection, eliminating the need to handle or expose sensitive network information.
3Ease of operation
If wireless connection without encryption is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to security concerns and potential connection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration by pre-creating encrypted WiFi configuration files with all necessary network credentials. This advance preparation ensures that when the video overlay system starts, it can immediately establish a secure encrypted connection without requiring manual intervention or exposing security credentials, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A video overlay device for use in surgical settings to overlay surgical parameters from a surgical console over images from a surgical microscope is provided. The device includes a video input port configured to receive image data from a camera and a data port configured to receive a removable storage device storing encrypted WiFi configuration data. The device further includes a WiFi transceiver configured to connect, based on the encrypted WiFi configuration data, to a local WiFi network hosted by a surgical console and receive, from the surgical console, overlay data. The device further includes a processor, configured to generate, based on the image data and the overlay data, combined image data and a video output port configured to send the combined image data to a display.