Abstract: An apparatus includes a device interface system having a first connector and second connector, each with a respective optical signal path arrangement operatively aligned when the two connectors are in a connected position. The operative alignment allows a base optical signal to be transmitted from the first connector to the second connector. An optical signal modification arrangement is included in the second connector and is operable to provide a predefined modification to the base optical signal to result in an optical ID signal that is transmitted back to the first connector. An identification processing unit associated with the first connector receives an ID input signal corresponding to the optical ID signal and produces an identification output responsive to the ID input signal.

Abstract: A transformer includes a substrate having an input and an output, the input being connectable to one section of a medical electrical device, the output being connectable to another section of the medical electrical device. An input ground system and an output ground system, which is electrically isolated from the input ground system, provide continuous return paths for an input signal and an output signal, respectively. The transformer includes a primary winding electrically connected to the input, a secondary winding electrically connected to the output, and a core transferring data from the primary winding to the secondary winding using magnetic field coupling. A middle portion of the primary winding and a middle portion of the secondary winding wrap around the core and are twisted together. Other portions of the primary winding are twisted with one another, while other portions of the secondary winding are twisted with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device interface system having a first connector and second connector, each with a respective optical signal path arrangement operatively aligned when the two connectors are in a connected position. The operative alignment allows a base optical signal to be transmitted from the first connector to the second connector. An optical signal modification arrangement is included in the second connector and is operable to provide a predefined modification to the base optical signal to result in an optical ID signal that is transmitted back to the first connector. An identification processing unit associated with the first connector receives an ID input signal corresponding to the optical ID signal and produces an identification output responsive to the ID input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device interface system having a first connector and second connector, each with a respective optical signal path arrangement operatively aligned when the two connectors are in a connected position. The operative alignment allows a base optical signal to be transmitted from the first connector to the second connector. An optical signal modification arrangement is included in the second connector and is operable to provide a predefined modification to the base optical signal to result in an optical ID signal that is transmitted back to the first connector. An identification processing unit associated with the first connector receives an ID input signal corresponding to the optical ID signal and produces an identification output responsive to the ID input signal.

Abstract: A transformer includes a substrate having an input and an output, the input being connectable to one section of a medical electrical device, the output being connectable to another section of the medical electrical device. An input ground system and an output ground system, which is electrically isolated from the input ground system, provide continuous return paths for an input signal and an output signal, respectively. The transformer includes a primary winding electrically connected to the input, a secondary winding electrically connected to the output, and a core transferring data from the primary winding to the secondary winding using magnetic field coupling. A middle portion of the primary winding and a middle portion of the secondary winding wrap around the core and are twisted together. Other portions of the primary winding are twisted with one another, while other portions of the secondary winding are twisted with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device interface system having a first connector and second connector, each with a respective optical signal path arrangement operatively aligned when the two connectors are in a connected position. The operative alignment allows a base optical signal to be transmitted from the first connector to the second connector. An optical signal modification arrangement is included in the second connector and is operable to provide a predefined modification to the base optical signal to result in an optical ID signal that is transmitted back to the first connector. An identification processing unit associated with the first connector receives an ID input signal corresponding to the optical ID signal and produces an identification output responsive to the ID input signal.

Abstract: A first connector for a medical instrument has one or more first channels extending through a first surface, and terminating at respective ends. A second connector has opposing second channels for coupling with the first channels. A first power transfer element is mounted on the first connector, and defines a first cross-sectional shape that encompasses at least one of the one or more first channels and has a first central axis extending through the first surface. A second power transfer element on the second connector defines a second cross-sectional shape that encompasses at least one of the one or more second channels and has a second central axis extending through the second surface. The first power transfer element may instead be on a side surface of the first connector, and may couple with a paired element on a receptacle or extension of the second connector.

Abstract: An interface device includes first and second connectors adapted to be joined together in an operating position. One or more first optical data conduits extend through the first connector, with each first optical data conduit terminating at a respective first optical conduit end which is operatively aligned with a respective first optical lens. One or more second optical data conduits extend through the second connector, with each second optical data conduit terminating at a respective second optical conduit end which is operatively aligned with a respective second optical lens. Each respective second optical data conduit and respective second optical lens are aligned for optical coupling across a coupling region with one of the first optical conduits and respective first optical lens when the first connector and second connector are joined in the operating position. The interface also includes a wireless or contact-type electrical power transfer arrangement.

Abstract: A medical camera system includes a video medical scope defining an enclosed space within a distal portion and a proximal portion that a user can attach and detach to each other. The two portions both have an interface for coupling to each other allowing communications across a patient isolation barrier. Power transfer elements provide for power transfer across the patient isolation barrier. The communication and power transfer may allow rotation of the distal portion with respect to the proximal portion while in use.

Abstract: An interface device includes first and second connectors adapted to be joined together in an operating position. One or more first optical data conduits extend through the first connector, with each first optical data conduit terminating at a respective first optical conduit end which is operatively aligned with a respective first optical lens. One or more second optical data conduits extend through the second connector, with each second optical data conduit terminating at a respective second optical conduit end which is operatively aligned with a respective second optical lens. Each respective second optical data conduit and respective second optical lens are aligned for optical coupling across a coupling region with one of the first optical conduits and respective first optical lens when the first connector and second connector are joined in the operating position. The interface also includes a wireless or contact-type electrical power transfer arrangement.

Abstract: A first connector for a medical instrument has one or more first channels extending through a first surface, and terminating at respective ends. A second connector has opposing second channels for coupling with the first channels. A first power transfer element is mounted on the first connector, and defines a first cross-sectional shape that encompasses at least one of the one or more first channels and has a first central axis extending through the first surface. A second power transfer element on the second connector defines a second cross-sectional shape that encompasses at least one of the one or more second channels and has a second central axis extending through the second surface. The first power transfer element may instead be on a side surface of the first connector, and may couple with a paired element on a receptacle or extension of the second connector.

Abstract: A medical camera system includes a video medical scope defining an enclosed space within a distal portion and a proximal portion that a user can attach and detach to each other. The two portions both have an interface for coupling to each other allowing communications across a patient isolation barrier. Power transfer elements provide for power transfer across the patient isolation barrier. The communication and power transfer may allow rotation of the distal portion with respect to the proximal portion while in use.