Wireless Endoscope Handle Architecture for Reusable-Disposable Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reusable medical visualization devices are expensive and require efficient battery handling and disinfection, while single-use devices have high environmental impact and cost. Existing wireless communication solutions are not widely available for medical devices, particularly endoscopes, and do not meet low latency and usability needs.

Innovation Solution

A medical visualization system with reusable auxiliary components and single-use main components, enabling data transfer and charging between them via a handling system, reducing the need for buttons and simplifying setup and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reusable medical visualization devices are used, then device cost is reduced and environmental impact is minimized, but battery handling complexity and disinfection requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice reusabilityVSAvoidbattery handling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into reusable auxiliary components (handle, wireless communication module) and disposable main components (image sensor, battery). This segmentation allows the reusable parts to be sterilized and reused while the disposable parts are discarded after single use, resolving the contradiction between reusability and battery handling complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery is extracted as a separate disposable component from the reusable handle. The handle contains the wireless communication module and can be reused, while the battery is replaced with each new disposable main component, eliminating battery handling complexity for the reusable portion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If single-use medical visualization devices are used, then battery handling is simplified, but environmental impact and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery handling simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The main component with image sensor and battery is designed as a disposable unit that is discarded after single use, simplifying battery handling. The reusable handle is shared across multiple disposable main components, reducing overall environmental impact by reusing the electronic components and wireless communication module

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If wireless communication is implemented in medical devices, then data transfer capability is improved, but latency and communication reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or proprietary protocols) between the handle and main component. This substitution provides data transfer capability while maintaining low latency through direct wireless links and optimized communication protocols designed for medical imaging applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If device functionality is increased, then performance is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reusable handle is designed with universal functionality including wireless communication module, battery management system, and data processing capabilities that can work with multiple different disposable main components. This multi-functionality allows the expensive handle to be reused across many procedures, reducing the overall cost per use despite the advanced features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12597503B2Medical visualization devices and systems

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 AMBU AS

AI summary

A medical visualisation system including a main component including an image sensor and a light emitter; a first auxiliary component configured to transmit image data based on the signals; a second auxiliary component configured to receive signals from the main component and to transmit image data based on the signals, the second auxiliary component including a second memory having embedded therein data; and a video processing apparatus including a high frequency wireless transceiver configured to establish an image data communication channel with the high frequency wireless transceiver of the first auxiliary component or with the high frequency wireless transceiver of the second auxiliary component and to receive the image data with the image data communication channel, wherein the first auxiliary component is configured to, based on the data, cause adjustment of one or more components of the main component or the video processing apparatus.