Video Signal Selector for Endoscopic Ultrasonography

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing medical image filing systems for endoscopic ultrasonography often suffer from human error due to manual switching between endoscopic and ultrasonic video signals, leading to mis-recording of images, which necessitates re-examination and increases equipment costs with dual-channel input requirements.

Innovation Solution

A video signal selector with a selector switch and control circuit that automatically switches between endoscopic and ultrasonic video signals in response to image capture commands, ensuring correct signal selection and reducing human error, while utilizing a single-channel video server to maintain cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a manual switch is used to select between endoscopic and ultrasonic video signals, then the system can use a single-channel video server to reduce equipment cost, but human error occurs leading to mis-recording of images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment costVSAvoidimage recording accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects which video signal (endoscopic or ultrasonic) is being displayed on the monitor and switches the recording channel accordingly, without requiring manual intervention. The selector control circuit monitors the video signal source and autonomously controls the switch to ensure the correct signal is recorded, eliminating human error while maintaining cost-effectiveness with a single-channel video server

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The selector control circuit receives feedback about the current video signal source (endoscopic or ultrasonic) from the video signal processors and uses this information to automatically switch the recording channel. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the system always records the correct signal type without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a two-channel input video server is used to record both endoscopic and ultrasonic video signals simultaneously, then image mis-recording is prevented, but equipment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage recording accuracyVSAvoidequipment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects which video signal (endoscopic or ultrasonic) is being displayed on the monitor and switches the recording channel accordingly, without requiring manual intervention. The selector control circuit monitors the video signal source and autonomously controls the switch to ensure the correct signal is recorded, eliminating human error while maintaining cost-effectiveness with a single-channel video server

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches the recording channel based on the current active video signal source. Rather than requiring a static two-channel configuration, the system adapts the single-channel video server to record whichever signal is currently being displayed, achieving reliable recording without the need for expensive dual-channel hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If manual switching operation is required, then the system can use simple equipment, but operator workload increases and human error occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidoperation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects which video signal (endoscopic or ultrasonic) is being displayed on the monitor and switches the recording channel accordingly, without requiring manual intervention. The selector control circuit monitors the video signal source and autonomously controls the switch to ensure the correct signal is recorded, eliminating human error while maintaining cost-effectiveness with a single-channel video server

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical switching operation with an automatic electronic control system. The selector control circuit electronically detects the video signal source and automatically switches channels, eliminating the need for manual dial or button operations while reducing system complexity through integrated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8253785B2Video signal selector and medical image filing system therewith

Publication Date: 2012.08.28 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A video signal selector has a selector switch for selectively outputting one of an endoscopic video signal and an ultrasonic video signal, and a selector control circuit for controlling the selector switch. The selector switch selects the endoscopic video signal by default. The selector control circuit switches the selector switch to the ultrasonic video signal in response to input of an ultrasonic image capture command for commanding to save an ultrasonic image.