Medical Imaging Instrument Pairing via Wireless Endoscope Adapter

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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 challenges in quickly and safely establishing secure pairings, particularly in time-critical situations.

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.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless endoscopes are used to eliminate cable clutter, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to incorrect device pairing and data transmission to unintended display devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a confirmation mechanism where the display device displays identification information (such as a code or visual signal) that the operator must manually confirm to establish the wireless connection. This feedback loop ensures that the operator intentionally pairs the imaging instrument with the correct display device, preventing erroneous connections while maintaining wireless operation benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary confirmation step between the imaging instrument and display device pairing process. The identification information displayed on the display device acts as a mediator that verifies the intended pairing, ensuring that the wireless connection is established only after explicit operator confirmation of the correct device match.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple display devices are available in emergency situations, then versatility is improved, but loss of time increases due to searching for the correct display device

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback through identification information displayed on the correct display device, allowing the operator to quickly identify and confirm the intended pairing. This eliminates the need to physically search through multiple devices, as the correct display device will display its identification information while others remain inactive or unresponsive to pairing attempts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If wireless transmission is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to compatibility issues with older wired endoscopes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the wireless transmission functionality from the imaging instrument itself by using a detachable adapter that connects to the existing wired endoscope. This segmentation allows the imaging instrument to remain simple and compatible with older models while adding wireless capability through a separate, interchangeable adapter unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter unit serves multiple functions: it provides wireless transmission capability, maintains compatibility with existing wired endoscopes through its connector, and enables the imaging instrument to operate with modern display devices. This multi-functional approach avoids the need to replace entire imaging instruments while achieving wireless operation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4585136A1Medical system, medical imaging instrument, method for operating a medical system and method using a medical system
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG
  • EP4585136A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4585136A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4585136A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a medical system (10) comprising an object (54) which has a recognition feature (50) and which can be identified on the basis of the recognition feature (50), a medical imaging instrument (12) with a camera (56) by means of which images can be captured and image data can be generated, wherein an image of the recognition feature (50) of the object (54) can be captured by means of the camera (56), a recognition unit (58) which is configured to recognize the presence of the recognition feature (50) in the image of the recognition feature (50) recorded by the camera (56) and to generate a recognition signal in accordance with the recognition of the presence of the recognition feature (50), and a control unit (60) which is configured to process the recognition signal and to activate at least one function of the medical system (10) related to the object (54) in accordance with the recognition signal.The present invention also relates to a medical imaging instrument (12), a method for operating a medical system (10) and a method comprising a medical system (10).