Tele-Endoscopy With Manual Fallback Under Unstable Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telesurgery systems are costly and require high-speed communication networks, making them impractical for resource-limited settings, while disposable hand-held endoscopes lack seamless control and are limited by communication latency, and traditional endoscopes face cross-contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A tele-endoscopy system that integrates a hand-held, low-cost endoscope with motorized drives, allowing clinicians to control a remote endoscope through a local station, switching between robotic, hybrid, and manual modes to ensure reliable operation regardless of network quality, and using duplicate endoscopes for simplified local control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional telesurgery systems are used, then surgical precision and control are improved, but system cost and communication infrastructure requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable endoscopes with integrated cameras and basic controls, replacing expensive reusable telesurgery systems. These single-use endoscopes eliminate the need for costly sterilization infrastructure and high-speed communication networks while maintaining adequate surgical functionality through simplified design and direct clinician control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential imaging and control functions from complex telesurgery systems, isolating the core endoscopic capabilities into standalone disposable units. This separation removes dependence on expensive robotic systems and high-speed communication infrastructure, allowing procedures in resource-limited settings.
2Device complexity
If disposable hand-held endoscopes are used, then system cost is reduced, but control precision and operational capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the endoscope, camera, lighting system, and basic controls into a single integrated hand-held unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate robotic systems and complex infrastructure while maintaining direct clinician control through the unified device interface, improving operational ease despite the simplified design.
3Productivity
If remote endoscopy with real-time control is implemented, then procedural effectiveness is improved, but communication latency and network dependence increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable endoscope is designed as a self-contained unit with onboard processing and display capabilities. It performs imaging, processing, and preliminary control functions locally without requiring continuous external support or high-speed communication, enabling autonomous operation even in remote locations with limited network infrastructure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional reusable endoscopes are used, then procedural capability is maintained, but cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts disposable endoscopes that are used once and then discarded, eliminating the need for sterilization and reducing cross-contamination risks between patients. This single-use approach maintains procedural capability while addressing infection control concerns associated with reusable equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A tele-endoscopy system and method enable low-cost hand-held endoscopes to be used both (i) when linked so that a local endoscope controls a remote endoscope and (ii) individually so that a remote endoscope can carry out or continue a procedure even if the link to the remote endoscope degrades or there is no link. The system fills a gap between expensive telesurgery that critically depend on a high quality communication link and individually used endoscopes and is particularly intuitive and user-friendly.