Systems and methods for connecting a medical imaging device to a medical imaging controller

Inventors

TRAN, Levey • JONES, III, Robert • Subramanian, Rohit

Assignees

Stryker Corp

Abstract

A cable for connecting a medical imaging device to a medical imaging controller includes a first connector located at a distal end of the cable for connecting to the imaging device, a second connector located at a proximal end for connecting to the medical imaging controller, a circuit board comprising at least one memory that stores at least authentication information associated with the cable. The circuit board is communicatively connected via a communication bus on the circuit board to the second connector for enabling access to the authentication information by the medical imaging controller. One or more imaging communication lines extend between the first connector and the second connector for communicating imaging data from the medical imaging device to the medical imaging controller. The one or more imaging communication lines bypass the communication bus on the circuit board.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an authenticable medical imaging cable that connects a camera head of a medical imaging device to a medical imaging controller. The cable includes a first connector at a distal end and a second connector at a proximal end for connection to the camera head and the controller, respectively. The cable further includes a circuit board with at least one memory that stores authentication information associated with the cable and identification information for identifying the medical imaging device associated with the cable.

The circuit board is communicatively connected via a communication bus on the circuit board to the second connector so that the medical imaging controller connected to the second connector can access the authentication information and the identification information. Imaging data lines extend between the first connector and the second connector to communicate imaging data from the camera head to the medical imaging controller. The imaging communication lines are electrical lines that physically bypass the circuit board entirely, rather than passing through the communication bus.

The described approach moves trusted information associated with the camera head from the camera head to the cable, discouraging unauthorized replacement of the cable and enabling tracking, maintenance, and calibration-related information accessible by the controller. The document describes system-level use, including a fluorescence imaging system with a light source and a fluorescence imaging agent, where authenticable authentication can be applied to the cable. It also describes an authentication method that can include disabling or providing warnings on failed authentication, and it supports use with near-infrared optics and time series of fluorescence images.

Claims Coverage

The document includes two independent claims. Both independent claims share the same core cable structure and data-path concept, with a circuit board that stores authentication and identification information accessible through a communication bus, while imaging communication lines electrically bypass the circuit board entirely.

Across both independent claims, the coverage centers on an authenticable medical imaging cable using a circuit board memory for authentication and identification information accessible through a communication bus, while imaging communication lines are implemented as electrical lines that physically bypass the circuit board entirely.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications