Wireless Endoscope System with RF Interference Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope systems are bulky and limited in mobility, requiring wired connections that restrict their use to centralized facilities, making it difficult for veterinarians to perform procedures on large animals and limiting the ability to capture images or video, and providing no integrated functionality for printing or remote monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A wireless endoscope system that includes a control body with a battery, light source amplifier, video processor, and wireless communication module to transmit compressed video data to mobile devices, allowing for remote monitoring and data sharing, and a portable charging system with force damping and wireless induction capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wired endoscope system is used, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but mobility and portability are severely restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The endoscope incorporates a wireless transceiver that communicates with external devices via wireless protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), eliminating the need for physical cables while maintaining reliable data transmission. This substitution directly resolves the contradiction by removing the mobility restriction imposed by wired connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complete endoscopy system with wired monitor and processor is used, then full functionality is available, but the system becomes bulky and requires significant office space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heavy processing and display components from the endoscope itself and places them in the user's existing mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops). The endoscope only retains the essential functions of image capture and wireless transmission. This extraction eliminates the need for a bulky dedicated system while preserving full functionality through the user's existing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the endoscope compatible with multiple types of existing devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs) through standardized wireless communication protocols. This universality allows a single compact endoscope to work with various devices, eliminating the need for dedicated bulky processing equipment and allowing veterinarians to use their existing devices across different locations.
3Ease of operation
If an eyepiece is used for viewing, then portability is improved, but the ability to capture images, video, and provide integrated functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication module as an intermediary between the image capture sensor and the display/capture functions. Instead of direct connection required by eyepieces, the wireless module transmits data to external devices that provide the display, image capture, and additional functionality. This intermediary enables both portability (no heavy wired system) and integrated functionality (through the external device's capabilities).
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables remote and portable endoscopy procedures, reducing trauma to animals and personnel, expanding clinical studies to various sites, and facilitating telemedicine applications by allowing real-time monitoring and feedback across multiple locations.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication module configured to negotiate a wireless connection with a mobile device and to transmit the compressed video data to the mobile device over the wireless connection
Implementation Method 2
which comprises a battery, a light source amplifier connected to the battery
Implementation Method 3
a video processor configured to create compressed video data from a video stream captured via the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for wirelessly transmitting data from an endoscope, comprising an endoscope having a control body, an insertion tube extending from the control body, the distal end of the insertion tube containing an image sensor and a light source, and a control head connected to the control body, which comprises a battery; a light source amplifier connected to the battery, the light source amplifier operable to boost the intensity of the light source; a video processor configured to create compressed video data from a video stream captured via the image sensor; and a wireless communication module configured to negotiate a wireless connection with a mobile device, wherein the wireless communication module is further configured to transmit the compressed video data to the mobile device over the wireless connection, and wherein the wireless communication module comprises a channel discriminator configured to automatically avoid RF interference.