Smart Handheld

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication device for a surgical connection system, the surgical connection system having a first surgical connection device and a second surgical connection device, the first and second surgical connection devices respectively having: at least two electrical connection contacts that can be mechanically connected to each other; and also having a separated state, a disconnected state, or a connected state; the communication device having: at least one preferably manually graspable application part, in which an electric motor for driving a surgical tool arranged at the application part is installed; and a control unit for regulating and / or controlling the electric motor. The following intelligent device is integrated into the application part, the intelligent device is configured to maintain communication between the application part and the control unit in both the disconnected state and the connected state and is provided with a power supply cable, the power supply cable having a maximum of three conductors between the application part and the control unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, in particular to a communication device for a surgical connection system and / or a communication device for a surgical connection system. Background Art

[0002] As is known from DE 10 225 857 A1, a control unit can be connected to a plurality of application parts / handpieces via a surgical connection system which is described in more detail below. In surgery, different motor units with identical or different motors, in particular surgical motors, are used, depending on the intended use. Depending on the required rotational speed, the corresponding motor type is selected and integrated into the application part. From now on, only one control unit is required for at least two application parts / handpieces via the connection system described in DE 10 225 857 A1. Thus, in the field of surgery, the overview can be improved by reducing the number of control instruments and the probability of incorrect operation of the control unit can be reduced.

[0003] From DE 10 2011 050 192 A1, an electrical switching device is known, which is constructed on the basis of the above-mentioned prior art and describes a surgical connection system in more detail. The surgical connection system consists of a first connection device and a second connection device, which are configured as a (plug-in) connection in order to connect the application part / handpiece to the control unit / control instrument. The first connection device is located at one end of the power supply cable, the other end of which is connected to the control unit and connects the control unit to the application part. The second connection device is part of the application part, in which the electric motor is integrated. Here, the first connection device and the second connection device are each composed of at least two electrical connection contacts that can form a mechanical connection with each other.

[0004] The integrated electric motor has three electric motor windings, which are interconnected in a star circuit. Each motor winding is connected to the second connection device via a respective wire. That is, with respect to the example in which each connection device is respectively configured with four electrical connection contacts, two electrical connection contacts of the second connection device are respectively connected to a wire. The other two electrical connection contacts of the second connection device are connected in parallel and connected to a third wire. A resistor element is inserted in between before one of the two parallel electrical connection contacts, and the resistor element forms a coding element for coding the type of the handpiece. Via the signal path, the type of the electric motor integrated into the application component can be determined by means of a resistance measurement via the resistor element, and the information is forwarded to the control unit via the signal path so as to drive the motor in a manner matching the information.

[0005] Here, the coupling system defines three different positions / states. Thus, when the first and second coupling devices are completely separated from each other, they are in the separated position. That is to say, no electrical coupling contacts of the first coupling device are in contact with the electrical coupling contacts of the second coupling device, and are not in mechanical engagement with each other. In the disconnected position, at least one first electrical coupling contact of the first coupling device is disengaged from at least one first electrical coupling contact of the second coupling device. That is to say, if the first and second coupling devices are each configured with four electrical coupling contacts, and two electrical coupling contacts of the first coupling device are engaged with two electrical coupling contacts of the second coupling device, the coupling system is in the disconnected position. When all electrical coupling contacts of the first coupling device are in conductive contact with all corresponding electrical coupling contacts of the second coupling device, the coupling device is in the connected position.

[0006] The coupling system can thus be used as a switching device and has a dual function. On the one hand, it can establish a mechanical connection between the handpiece and, for example, a power supply line. On the other hand, it can also be used as a switching device, for example to be able to supply power to the motor windings of an electric motor of the handpiece when necessary.

[0007] Furthermore, this can lead to additional requirements, in which the type of handpiece can be automatically queried by the control and / or regulating device of the drive system. Of course, this communication can only be transmitted in the above-mentioned "off" position, and the signal path must be led to the control unit via various twisted wires / conductors or motor windings and multiple interfaces, such as plug contacts. The reason for this is that in the connected position, when two parallel electrical connection contacts are in contact, the signal path is short-circuited via the resistor element, so that information can no longer be exchanged between the application part and the control unit. In addition, the route of the signal path is disadvantageous because it can lead to distortions, incorrect transmissions and time delays, and thus overall tolerances, which are then evaluated as error signals at the control unit. In order to maintain this communication path in the connected position and thus enable information exchange between the application part and the control unit, this can be solved by increasing the number of power supply wires / twisted wires for the electric motor. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a communication device for a connection system for surgery according to the above description which enables permanent, reliable and secure communication between application part and control unit without the use of further lines and in a simple system.

[0009] This object is achieved by a communication device according to the invention.

[0010] The invention is based on the general idea of ​​providing a surgical coupling system with a communication / connection that is continuous or that is maintained / takes place over a longer period of time, wherein the surgical coupling system connects at least one application part / handpiece and a control unit to one another. An electric motor for driving a surgical tool placed / inserted at the application part is accommodated in the application part. For example, the application part can also be configured as an interface for connection to a robot.

[0011] According to the underlying general idea, there is a communication connection between the application component and the control unit, which is provided with information exchange both in the disconnected state and in the connected state, so that all information about all individual application components used in the control unit can be read from the data collected in the control unit. The information can be an evaluation of basic information, such as the number of uses of the corresponding application component in the operating room, the total operating time, the operating time per use and the operating time for left / right rotation, start / stop cycles, power consumption, etc. In addition, the evaluation of sensor signals performed in the control unit includes the frequency of the tool type used, the humidity state, the temperature, the number of treatments, etc., up to statistics about all application components used.

[0012] In order to maintain the communication connection between the application part and the control unit for transmitting various information and sensor signals of the application part, no other strands / wires are provided in the power supply / connection cable. The number of wires is determined by the number of motor windings of the electric motor, preferably three motor windings.

[0013] The use of a communication device integrated into the application part provides a reliable and more secure information transmission, which can be used in disconnected and connected states as defined above according to the prior art. Thus, the communication connection / signal route can be maintained for a longer period of time or also continuously.

[0014] Specifically, the communication device for the surgical (electrical) connection system has an intelligent device integrated into the application part, which is configured to maintain communication between the application part and the control unit in the disconnected state and the connected state. The power supply cable between the application part and the control unit has a maximum of three wires corresponding to the number of motor windings of the electric motor. Intelligent devices are generally understood as devices dedicated to automated behavior and machine learning. The "intelligent" / intelligent device of the present invention has various basic information about the application part, such as serial number, manufacturing date, maintenance data, etc. The intelligent device forwards the basic information to the control unit. The information is collected / stored and evaluated / processed in the control unit. Through this design of the communication device, the number of required electrical contact elements can be minimized, especially to the number of existing motor windings of the electric motor. In the present invention, additional wires can be discarded, for example, for operating the electric motor in a conventional drive system and querying its type or configuration when necessary. In order to control and / or regulate the electric motor, it is also advantageous that the control unit is configured in particular to cooperate with the surgical handpiece / application part so that it can automatically query and identify the type of the application part.

[0015] Preferably, the smart device is directly connected to the signal path between the second electrical connection contact of the second connection device and the corresponding motor winding of the electric motor. Therefore, the smart device can be continuously powered in the disconnected position and communicate with the control unit.

[0016] It is also advantageous if the communication between the application part and the control unit takes place wirelessly. In this way, in the switched-on position, communication is still possible despite the short-circuited signal path according to the above description of the prior art. Such wireless transmission methods are data transmission methods which use free space as the transmission medium and do not use cables in the form of electrical conductors or optical waveguides. Preferably, transmission methods such as Bluetooth or WLAN are used. Alternatively, other transmission methods such as ZigBee, NFC, Wibree, etc. can be used, depending on the amount of data and the required range.

[0017] Preferably, an energy storage device is provided in the application part or is arranged on the application part, which energy storage device is electrically connected to the smart device. In the disconnected state, the additional energy storage device is charged via the supply line, and the smart device can communicate wirelessly with the control unit continuously or in the connected state for a longer period of time. A completely eliminated application part or an application part in the disconnected state can still communicate with the control unit until the energy storage device is exhausted. At least one rechargeable battery can be used as the energy storage device, for example a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery. In this case, it is advantageous to use a small and lightweight energy storage device.

[0018] Advantageously, the smart device has a discharge protection fuse. Due to the deep discharge of the energy storage device, different damages can occur depending on the type of energy storage device. Therefore, it is advantageous that the discharge protection fuse ensures that the voltage does not drop below the end-of-discharge voltage. Therefore, the discharge protection fuse provided in the smart device has the task of preventing the above-mentioned situation in the switched-on state and the switched-off state. In this case, the discharge protection fuse ensures that the energy storage device is electrically separated from the smart device when a fixed voltage is reached to which the energy storage device is to be discharged depending on the type of energy storage device.

[0019] The smart device preferably has a plurality of inputs for sensor signals. Sensors are provided, in particular temperature sensors, sensors for determining whether a tool is present or what type of tool, humidity sensors, sensors for detecting the readiness of the application part. These sensors thus provide / send further information to the control unit by means of sensor signals during the time period until the energy sensor is exhausted or until a fixed voltage is reached, as described above.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the smart device is configured to communicate with the control unit and / or communicate with each other between multiple application components. In other words, this means that the smart device can continuously communicate with the control unit and also communicate with each other and exchange information between other application components. For example, the prescribed order in the use of the application components can be ensured during surgery by means of this communication between the application components themselves. Therefore, error-prone sequences of surgery can be supported and process reliability can be improved. This communication between application components can also be used to avoid errors, improve patient safety and reduce the burden on surgeons. In addition, it is advantageous that this communication is carried out in real time.

[0021] Alternatively, the voltage supply of the smart device can be carried out indirectly, in particular inductively. Since the smart device is close to the energy storage in the application component, inductive coupling is an alternative to direct voltage supply. Inductive coupling is understood as: two or more spatially adjacent circuits are magnetically influenced by each other through electromagnetic induction caused by changes in magnetic flux. Here, the current-carrying (first) conductor loop causes a magnetic flux density to be generated in its spatial surroundings. Inductive energy transfer has a higher efficiency at close range. It is advantageous here to keep the distance between the transmitter (here the energy storage) and the receiver (here the smart device) as small as possible. Alternatively, another possibility is to charge the energy storage device wirelessly by means of inductive coupling.

[0022] The intelligent device is advantageously located in the middle of the coil which is located in the signal path and is necessary to achieve the inductive coupling, in order to be able to ensure an optimal inductive voltage supply.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the intelligent device is powered by means of harvesting from the wires of the voltage supply of the electric motor or the scattered magnetic field of the electric motor. Harvesting can be understood as: obtaining energy from the environment. For example, temperature differences, movement (e.g., pressing a switch, moving machine parts), light (e.g., ambient light) are considered as sources that contribute to the harvesting of energy by means of corresponding energy converters with different power parameters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic circuit diagram of a coupling system for explaining a separation state according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic circuit diagram of a coupling system for explaining a disconnected state according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0026] Figure 3 A schematic circuit diagram of a connection system for illustrating a switched-on state according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0027] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a portion of an application component according to a first embodiment;

[0028] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a portion of an application component according to a second embodiment;

[0029] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a portion of an application component according to a third embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a portion of a plurality of application components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are described based on the drawings. In the various drawings, the same or functionally equivalent features are provided with the same reference numerals and are not described multiple times as appropriate.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram for illustrating a coupling system according to a disconnected state. A first or male surgical coupling device 1 and a second or female surgical coupling device 2 are completely separated from each other, that is, they are disengaged. Each of the two coupling devices 1 and 2 has four electrical coupling contacts, respectively. The first coupling device 1 has electrical coupling contacts 3, 4, 5 and 6, and the second coupling device 2 has electrical coupling contacts 7, 8, 9 and 10.

[0033] The application part / handpiece 11 is shown as a schematic circuit diagram. The electric motor 12 and the intelligent device 13 are installed / integrated in the application part 11. In addition, the application part 11 can be different not only externally, but also internally. This means, for example, that the electric motor 12 built into the application part 11 can be of different types and, for example, different in its characteristic variables, such as minimum speed, maximum speed, maximum current and maximum torque.

[0034] Furthermore, the application part 11 is equipped with electrical connection contacts 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the second connection device 2. The electric motor 12 serves as a drive system for a surgical tool that can be placed on the application part 2 and can be connected detachably. A maximum of three wires 14, 15 and 16 form the power supply cable. The motor windings 19, 20 and 21 of the electric motor 12 are supplied with power via the three wires 14, 15 and 16.

[0035] The connection contact 7 is electrically conductively connected to the motor winding 19. The motor winding 19 is interconnected in a star shape with the motor windings 20 and 21. Furthermore, the motor winding 20 is electrically conductively connected to the electrical connection contact 8. The motor winding 21 is electrically conductively connected to the connection contact 9 on the one hand and to the smart device 13 on the other hand, which is connected in series with the electrical connection contact 10. The electrical connection contact 9 is connected in parallel with the smart device 13 and the electrical connection contact 10. The type or kind of the application component 11 can be uniquely identified via the smart device 13. This determination / identification can be performed automatically by a corresponding design or configuration of the control unit.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram for illustrating a connection system according to the disconnected state. In the disconnected state of the connection system, the electrical connection contacts 7 and 10 of the second connection device are electrically conductively connected to the electrical connection contacts 3 and 6 of the first connection device. In this way, a circuit is closed, in which the connection contacts 7 are connected in series with the motor winding 19, the motor winding 20, the intelligent device 13 and the connection contacts 10. In the disconnected state, the intelligent device 13 can be powered by applying a voltage to the wires 14 and 16, and in this state information can be permanently exchanged between the intelligent device 13 and the control unit.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic circuit diagram for illustrating the connection system according to the switched-on state. In the switched-on state, all electrical connection contacts 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the first connection device 1 are engaged with corresponding electrical connection contacts 7, 8, 9 and 10. The motor windings 19, 20 and 21 of the electric motor 12 can be supplied with power in the switched-on state by means of the control unit in a manner adapted to the application components.

[0038] The control unit can actuate the electric motor 12 in a desired manner, for example in order to set a surgical tool connected detachably to the application part 11 into rotation by the electric motor 12 .

[0039] In the following, the above-described coupling system is the basis for the following alternative embodiments.

[0040] First embodiment

[0041] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a partial schematic diagram of the application component 11 according to the first embodiment. The smart device 13 integrated into the application component 11 can be Figure 2 in the disconnected state and in accordance with Figure 3 in the switched-on state and / or in accordance with Figure 1 In order to communicate during a longer period of time in the disconnected state, the smart device is directly connected in series to the signal path between the motor winding 21 and the electrical coupling contact 10.

[0042] Figure 4 The smart device 13 of the application part 11 is shown, which has the possibility of using wireless / cableless information transmission methods, i.e., for example, Bluetooth, WLAN, etc. The smart device 13 sends information to the control unit via this connection. The control unit collects the received information, processes and evaluates it, and controls / regulates the electric motor 12 in a manner corresponding to the information.

[0043] Second embodiment

[0044] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a section of an application part 11 according to a second exemplary embodiment is shown. The smart device 13 is connected to and / or mounted on an energy storage device 17. The energy storage device 17 supplies power to the smart device 13, so that wireless communication with the control unit is possible permanently or in the switched-on state for a longer period of time. A continuous communication connection between the completely removed application part 11 and the control unit is possible until the energy storage device 17 is exhausted.

[0045] The energy storage device 17 can be charged in the switched-off state in order to then supply power to the intelligent device 13 in the switched-on state and / or in the disconnected position. According to the introduction, this energy transfer can take place directly or indirectly.

[0046] When using at least one energy storage device 17 , the intelligent device 13 has a discharge protection fuse (not shown) which, in the switched-on state, prevents a deep discharge and thus prevents damage to the energy storage device 17 .

[0047] Third embodiment

[0048] Figure 6is a schematic diagram of a part of an application component 11 according to a third embodiment. According to the second embodiment, the smart device 13 is connected to or installed at the energy storage device 17. The application component 11 is preferably equipped with sensors. In addition, the smart device 13 has a plurality of signal inputs 18 for various additional sensor signals, which are sent to the control unit by the smart device 13. The control unit processes and evaluates the received sensor signals in order to control / drive the electric motor 12 in a manner correspondingly matched to the signals.

[0049] Figure 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of a portion of multiple applied components. Figure 7 , application components 11a, 11b and 11c are shown, in which smart devices 13a, 13b and 13c are respectively accommodated. Each smart device 13a, 13b and 13c is connected to or placed at energy storage devices 17a, 17b and 17c. Smart device 13a has a plurality of signal input terminals 18a, smart device 13b has a plurality of signal input terminals 18b, and smart device 13c has a plurality of signal input terminals 18c. The corresponding signal input terminals 18a, 18b and 18c forward the signals of the corresponding sensors of the corresponding application components 11a, 11b and 11c to the corresponding smart devices 13a, 13b or 13c. It goes without saying that the number of application components 11 is not limited to three and can be reduced or expanded as needed.

[0050] It is proposed that the smart devices 13a, 13b and 13c communicate with the control unit alternately and / or simultaneously, both continuously in the disconnected state and for a longer period of time in the connected or disconnected state, until the corresponding energy storage device 17a, 17b and 17c is exhausted. It is further proposed that the application components 11a, 11b and 11c can also communicate with one another, for example in order to ensure a predetermined sequence when a plurality of handpieces are used in succession. To ensure this, real-time communication is provided.

[0051] It goes without saying that the described embodiments and the drawings which are not faithful to scale are merely exemplary and can be easily modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this specification. Likewise, the external shape, size, etc. are not subject to any specific restrictions as long as the effects and functions according to the present invention are provided and achieved therethrough.

Claims

1. A communication device for a surgical connection system, the surgical connection system comprising: a first connection device (1) and a second connection device (2), the first connection device (1) and the second connection device (2) respectively having a first electrical connection contact (3, 7), a second electrical connection contact (4, 8), a third electrical connection contact (5, 9) and a fourth electrical connection contact (6, 10) capable of forming a mechanical connection with each other; and having a separated state; and a disconnected state, in which the second and third electrical connection contacts (4, 5) of the first connection device (1) and the second connection device (2) are connected to each other. The communication device comprises: a first connection device (1) and a second connection device (2) wherein the second and third electrical connection contacts (8, 9) of the second connection device (2) are disengaged, and the first and fourth electrical connection contacts (7, 10) of the second connection device (2) are conductively connected to the first and fourth electrical connection contacts (3, 6) of the first connection device (1); and a connected state in which the first, second, third and fourth electrical connection contacts (3, 4, 5, 6) of the first connection device (1) and the first, second, third and fourth electrical connection contacts (7, 8, 9, 10) of the second connection device (2) are in conductive contact; the communication device comprises: At least one graspable application part (11), in which an electric motor (12) is installed for driving a surgical tool arranged on the application part (11), wherein: The electric motor (12) comprises a first motor winding (19), a second motor winding (20) and a third motor winding (21), the first motor winding (19) being interconnected in a star shape with the second motor winding (20) and the third motor winding (21), the first electrical connection contact (7) of the second connection device (2) being electrically conductively connected to the first motor winding (19), and the second motor winding (20) being electrically conductively connected to the second electrical connection contact (8) of the second connection device (2); as well as a control unit for regulating and / or controlling the electric motor (12); It is characterized in that Features: an intelligent device (13) integrated into the application component (11), the intelligent device (13) being designed to maintain communication between the application component (11) and the control unit in the disconnected state and the connected state, the third motor winding (21) being electrically conductively connected to the third electrical connection contact (9) of the second connection device (2) on the one hand and electrically conductively connected to the intelligent device (13) on the other hand, the intelligent device (13) being connected in series with the fourth electrical connection contact (10) of the second connection device (2), the third electrical connection contact (9) of the second connection device (2) being connected in parallel with the intelligent device (13) and the fourth electrical connection contact (10) of the second connection device (2), and A power supply cable, the power supply cable having at most three wires (14, 15, 16) between the application component (11) and the control unit, the first, second and third motor windings (19, 20, 21) of the electric motor (12) being supplied with power via the three wires (14, 15, 16), respectively, The communication between the application component (11) and the control unit takes place wirelessly, and An energy storage device (17) is provided in the application component (11) or is arranged on the application component (11), and the energy storage device (17) is electrically connected to the smart device (13).

2. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that The smart device (13) is directly connected to the signal path between the second electrical coupling contact (10) of the second coupling device (2) and the electric motor (12).

3. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that The intelligent device (13) has a discharge protection fuse.

4. The communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that The smart device (13) has a plurality of input terminals (18) for sensor signals, which are sent by the smart device (13) to a control unit.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that The smart device (13) is configured to communicate with the control unit and to communicate among a plurality of application components (11).

6. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that The intelligent device (13) has a voltage supply which is indirectly supplied.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, characterized in that The smart device (13) is positioned in the center of a coil in the signal path.

8. The communication device according to claim 6, characterized in that The smart device (13) is powered by collecting energy from wires (14, 15, 16) from a voltage supply device of the electric motor (12) or from a scattered magnetic field of the electric motor (12).

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