Wireless OR Video and Control Link for Cable-Free Surgical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating room communication systems face issues with numerous cables interfering with surgical devices and limited movement due to hard-wired connections, and lack a robust wireless system capable of transmitting video and control signals without electromagnetic interference and bandwidth limitations.
Innovation Solution
A wireless operating room communication system that combines data, control, and video signals on a single channel using ultra-wideband technology, prioritizes control signals, and switches channels to maintain signal quality, ensuring low latency and resilience to interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wire connections are used for video and control signals, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device mobility and ease of operation deteriorate due to cable interference and movement limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable connections with wireless communication systems. Multiple devices (video cameras, monitors, control devices) that were previously connected via physical cables are now connected wirelessly through radio frequency communication, eliminating the mechanical constraint of cables while maintaining signal transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple separate communication channels (video signals, control signals, audio signals) into a single unified wireless communication system. This integration allows all signals to be transmitted simultaneously over the air without requiring separate cable connections for each signal type
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple separate cables are used for different signals, then signal transmission stability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements worsen due to numerous cables throughout the operating room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate signal transmission paths (video, control, audio cables) into a single wireless communication medium. This consolidation reduces the physical infrastructure from multiple discrete cables to a unified wireless system, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining stable signal transmission through protocol-level error correction and redundancy mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is implemented without signal prioritization, then ease of operation is improved, but control signal reliability deteriorates due to electromagnetic interference and bandwidth sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels of service to different signal types within the same wireless medium. Control signals receive prioritized treatment with reserved bandwidth and higher transmission power, while video signals operate with standard quality parameters. This differential quality assignment ensures control signal reliability is maintained even under electromagnetic interference conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts transmission parameters (bandwidth allocation, transmission power, modulation scheme) based on signal priority and channel conditions. Control signals are transmitted with higher power and more robust modulation to resist interference, while video signals use efficient compression and standard transmission parameters, optimizing overall system performance
4Manufacturing precision
If video signals are transmitted with high bandwidth to maintain quality, then image quality is improved, but available bandwidth for control signals deteriorates leading to potential transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic bandwidth allocation where the available spectrum is partitioned based on real-time needs. When control signals require high reliability, bandwidth is reallocated from video to control channels. Video quality is maintained through adaptive compression techniques that adjust bitrate according to available bandwidth, ensuring both video quality and control signal reliability are preserved under varying conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wireless operating room communication system. The system comprises a multiple device control unit; an endoscope camera and a wireless video transmitter unit; at least one surgical device; and a wireless video display unit including a non-video transmitter and a video receiver. The multiple device control unit, the wireless transmitter unit, the at least one said device and the wireless video display unit are configured to synchronize with the video signal. The at least one device and the multiple device control unit are capable of transmitting control signals on the same frequency channel as the video signals transmitted by said wireless video transmitter unit.