Wireless Endoscope Coupling for Gesture-Confirmed Display Pairing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging instruments face issues with cable clutter, compatibility with new display devices, incorrect data transmission to unintended display devices, and difficulties in establishing reliable and efficient coupling, particularly in time-critical situations, which can lead to safety risks and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A medical system with a data transmission adapter that converts wired endoscopes to wireless operation, includes a security unit for confirmed coupling, and utilizes gesture recognition for intuitive device pairing, ensuring secure and efficient image data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a data cable is used to transmit image data from the image sensor to the display device, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but cable clutter and interference with other medical instruments occur, restricting freedom of movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidfreedom of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data cable from the system by implementing wireless data transmission between the endoscope and display device. The wireless communication module transmits image data without physical cable connections, eliminating cable clutter and interference with other medical instruments while maintaining data transmission reliability through established wireless protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based data transmission system with a wireless communication system. The mechanical connection (data cable) is substituted with electromagnetic wave-based wireless transmission, eliminating the physical constraints and clutter associated with cables while enabling unrestricted movement of the endoscope

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an older wired endoscope is used with a new display device, then compatibility issues arise requiring purchase of multiple display devices or retirement of old endoscopes, but purchasing multiple display devices increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay device compatibilityVSAvoidnumber of display devices required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal wireless communication interface that enables both older wired endoscopes and newer wireless endoscopes to communicate with modern display devices. The wireless adapter or wireless communication module serves multiple functions, allowing the display device to work with various endoscope types without requiring multiple specialized display devices, thereby reducing overall system cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If wireless image data transmission is implemented without secure coupling confirmation, then ease of operation is improved, but image data may be transmitted to incorrect display devices posing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling establishment easeVSAvoiddata transmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary coupling confirmation through secure pairing protocols before enabling wireless data transmission. The system performs device identification, authentication, and coupling confirmation in advance, ensuring that image data is transmitted only to the intended display device. This preliminary security check prevents transmission errors while maintaining operational simplicity through automated pairing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4585135A1Medical system, method for operating a medical system and method for coupling a medical imaging instrument to a display device
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG
  • EP4585135A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4585135A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4585135A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a medical system (10) comprising a medical imaging instrument (12) which is configured to generate image data and to transmit the image data wirelessly, a display device (40) which is configured to receive image data and to generate a representation (44) for a user, and a gesture recognition unit (76) which is configured to recognize a gesture of the user directed at the display device (40) and to establish a coupling between the imaging instrument (12) and the display device (40) in accordance with the recognition of the gesture. The present invention also relates to a data transmission adapter, a method for retrofitting a medical imaging instrument and a method for transmitting image data.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a medical system (10) and a method for coupling a medical imaging instrument (12) to a display device (40).