Power supply through a single track of discrete electrodes and method therefor
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a medical device including;
a first part having a first electrical connection member, the first electrical connection member having a first member body with a surface and a plurality of first elements for electrical or signal reception or transmission, the first elements each having an end adjacent the first member body surface; and
a second part having a second electrical connection member, the second electrical connection member having a second member body with a surface and a plurality of second elements for electrical or signal reception or transmission, the second elements each having an end adjacent the second member body surface, the second electrical connection member further comprising a plurality of proximity sensors,the first part and the second part rotatably engaged with each other, the proximity sensors configured to sense the relative circumferential positions of the first elements and the second elements.
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Abstract
At least two distinct electrical members each having electrical elements are provided. The electrical members are moveable with respect to each other and one or more sensors determine the relative position of the electrical members. The electrical members may be used in a medical device such as an endoscopic system.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
a medical device including; a first part having a first electrical connection member, the first electrical connection member having a first member body with a surface and a plurality of first elements for electrical or signal reception or transmission, the first elements each having an end adjacent the first member body surface; and a second part having a second electrical connection member, the second electrical connection member having a second member body with a surface and a plurality of second elements for electrical or signal reception or transmission, the second elements each having an end adjacent the second member body surface, the second electrical connection member further comprising a plurality of proximity sensors, the first part and the second part rotatably engaged with each other, the proximity sensors configured to sense the relative circumferential positions of the first elements and the second elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An endoscopic system comprising:
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an endoscope having a tube, an electrically powered device, and a first electrical connection member, the first electrical connection member having a first member body with a surface and a plurality of first elements for electrical or signal reception or transmission, the first elements each having an end adjacent the first member body surface; and a camera head having a second electrical connection member, the second electrical connection member having a second member body with a surface and a plurality of second elements for electrical or signal reception or transmission, the second elements each having an end adjacent the second member body surface, the second electrical connection member further comprising a plurality of proximity sensors capable of sensing the relative circumferential position and proximity of the first elements and the second elements upon rotation of the first member body with respect to the second member body, the endoscope and the camera head rotatably engaged with each other such that the electrically powered device receives electricity from the camera head even when the endoscope is rotated relative to the camera head. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of supplying signals and electrical power through a single track of discrete electrical contacts, the method comprising:
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providing a first part having a first electrical connection member, the first electrical connection member having a first member body with a surface and a plurality of first elements for electrical or signal receipt or transmission, the first elements each having an end adjacent the first member body surface; providing a second part having a second electrical connection member, the second electrical connection member having a second member body with a surface and a plurality of second elements for electrical or signal receipt or transmission, the second elements each having an end adjacent the second member body surface, the second electrical connection member further comprising a plurality of proximity sensors capable of sensing the relative position and proximity of the first elements and the second elements, the first part and the second part rotatably engaged with each other; and the sensors sensing circumferential proximity and position of the first elements with respect to the second elements and assimilating the circumferential proximity and position of the first elements to ensure each electrical or signal receipt or transmission is provided correctly to the first elements and the second elements. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method of supplying signals and electrical power through a single track of discrete electrical contacts, the method comprising:
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providing a first part having a first electrical connection member, the first electrical connection member having a first member body with a surface and a plurality of first elements for electrical or signal receipt or transmission, the first elements each having an end adjacent the first member body surface; providing a second part having a second electrical connection member, the second electrical connection member having a second member body with a surface and a plurality of second elements for electrical or signal receipt or transmission, the second elements each having an end adjacent the second member body surface, the second electrical connection member further comprising a plurality of proximity sensors capable of sensing the relative position and proximity of the first elements and the second elements, the first part and the second part rotatably engaged with each other; the sensors sensing proximity and position of the first elements; and the sensors providing signals to a controller; and providing a multiplexer in communication in the controller, the multiplexer capable of providing multiple signals and electricity to the second elements based on the relative position of the first part to the second part.
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Specification