Reusable Wireless Handle for Disposable Medical Visualisation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless medical visualisation devices, such as endoscopes and laryngoscopes, lack widespread commercial availability as single-use products, particularly due to issues with communication frequencies, latency, usability, and cost, which are critical in hospital settings.
Innovation Solution
A medical visualisation system comprising a disposable medical visualisation device with a reusable auxiliary component that enables wireless transmission of video data to a monitor device, using high-frequency communication for low latency and includes features like bendable sections, image sensors, and processing units for enhanced flexibility and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is implemented in medical visualization devices, then transmission flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but reliability and latency performance deteriorate due to frequency restrictions and interference in hospital settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the communication functionality into two separate components: a disposable medical visualization device and a reusable wireless communication module (handle). This segmentation allows the disposable device to maintain simple, reliable wireless transmission capabilities while the reusable handle contains the complex communication processing and can be optimized for different frequency requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable handle is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of disposable visualization devices (endoscopes, laryngoscopes, etc.). It provides multi-functional capabilities including wireless communication, image processing, and adaptation to different frequency requirements, enabling a single device to serve multiple purposes and maintain reliable performance across various medical applications
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication modules are integrated into disposable medical devices, then device functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the expensive wireless communication module into a separate reusable handle, while the disposable device contains only simple imaging components (camera, light source). This allows the complex functionality to be achieved without increasing the manufacturing cost of the disposable device, as the handle is manufactured once and reused across multiple disposable units
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable handle acts as an intermediary that bridges the simple disposable device and the hospital's wireless network infrastructure. It contains the complex communication protocols and processing capabilities, allowing the disposable device to remain simple and cost-effective while still achieving advanced wireless functionality through the handle's mediating capabilities
3Object-affected harmful factors
If complete medical devices are made disposable, then cross-contamination risk is reduced, but resource consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the medical device into disposable parts (insertion tube with camera and light source) and reusable parts (handle with wireless communication module and power supply). The disposable portions are discarded after single use to eliminate cross-contamination risk, while the expensive reusable handle is charged and used repeatedly, significantly reducing overall resource consumption and waste
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a discard-and-recover strategy where the disposable imaging components are discarded after single use to ensure patient safety, while the expensive handle with wireless capabilities is recovered, recharged, and reused for subsequent procedures. This approach optimizes the balance between eliminating contamination risk and conserving resources
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for handling auxiliary components, including a first auxiliary component and a second auxiliary component, of a medical system, wherein each auxiliary component is configured to be coupled to a respective main device part and includes a rechargeable battery configured to power electronic components of the auxiliary component and of the respective main device part, each auxiliary component further including an auxiliary memory and an auxiliary communication interface. The method includes receiving a first auxiliary component; receiving a second auxiliary component after receiving the first auxiliary component; transmitting data from the auxiliary memory of the second auxiliary component to the auxiliary memory of the first auxiliary component; charging the rechargeable battery of the second auxiliary component; and providing the first auxiliary component for retrieval after transmitting the data from the auxiliary memory of the second auxiliary component to the auxiliary memory of the first auxiliary component.