DEVICE WITH SERVICE INTERFACE AND METHOD FOR DEVICE MAINTENANCE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device with a service interface and a method for maintaining the device, in particular while ensuring access control to a service interface.

[0002] For the operation of medical instruments, in particular cryogenic instruments, electrosurgical instruments and other instruments used in particular in operations on human and animal patients, devices are used which are designed to supply the instrument in question with the necessary operating resources.

[0003] US 2004 / 0214138 A1 discloses an instrument for polymerizing polymerizable material, which is used, for example, in dental treatments. The instrument operates wirelessly and contains a light source powered by a battery. The battery can be connected via charging contacts to a charging station, in which the instrument is stored when not in use. The instrument contains a microcontroller, which is connected to a program selector switch on the one hand and can communicate with a PC via a data connection on the other. Accordingly, data transmission contacts are provided on the instrument.

[0004] Furthermore, US 2015 / 0229083 A1 discloses a device for supplying instruments with operating fluids. For this purpose, corresponding sockets are provided on the front of the device.

[0005] The operating medium can be a material or energetic medium. Operating media can be liquids, gases, vacuums, electrical voltages, electrical currents, visible or invisible light. The operating medium can carry and transport power and / or information. Examples of operating media are liquids or gases such as water, NaCl solution, argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, aerosols or the like. The operating medium can be supplied to the instrument or removed from it (vacuum), for example for smoke extraction. The operating medium can be light, e.g. laser light, which is supplied to the instrument to exert an effect on biological tissue. It can also be light for illuminating the surgical field, which is supplied to the instrument. Light absorbed by the instrument can also be passed to the device.If the operating medium is electrical current, it can be direct current, alternating current, or high-frequency alternating current, used, for example, for coagulation, thermofusion, ablation, cutting, or other effects. The device can be designed to supply and / or receive one or more of the aforementioned operating mediums. Both are encompassed by the term "supply."

[0006] Such devices are known in principle from the prior art, for example from the above-mentioned US 2015 / 0229083 A1. Furthermore, EP 2 904 982 A1 discloses a device with a housing that is closed on all sides and has compartments for socket inserts on its front. Each socket insert is flush with the front of the device and thus forms part of the front surface of the device from the user's perspective. The socket insert contains electrical connections (sockets) for connecting a surgical instrument. The socket insert is locked in the compartment by a releasable locking means and is connected to the device via a plug connection on its side facing away from the front.

[0007] Such devices typically contain controllers or other electrical circuits that are parameterizable and / or program-controlled and / or acquire and store data during operation and / or operate based on stored data. For service and maintenance purposes, it is necessary to grant maintenance technicians access to the electrical circuits, i.e., their parameters and / or data and / or programs. A service interface is typically available for this purpose, but it must be electrically separated from the device's power section to prevent damage to persons and equipment, even if handled inexpertly.

[0008] Based on this, the object of the invention is to create a device for supplying medical instruments which has a service interface, but which is intended to prevent damage to users using simple means.

[0009] This object is achieved with the device according to claim 1 and / or the method according to claim 13. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to the inventive concept, the device according to the invention has a service interface in the form of a data connector, which is arranged in the receiving compartment of the socket insert, so that the service interface is concealed by the socket insert when the device is ready for operation and is thus inaccessible to the operator. For the maintenance technician who requires access to the data connector and thus to the device control, the socket insert can be removed from the receiving compartment. Typically, the socket insert is secured in the receiving compartment by a locking means. The locking means can be designed such that it can be released using a tool. For example, the locking means can contain an unlocking pin that can be moved axially in a bore accessible from the front of the socket insert in order to thereby release the locking means.

[0011] After removing the socket insert from the compartment, the service interface is accessible, which is designed, for example, as a data connector (male or female). If the service interface is, for example, a standardized connector such as a USB connector or the like, a corresponding cable can now be connected to it, thus establishing the connection to an external device, for example a laptop. When the socket insert is arranged in the compartment, the data connector is concealed by the socket insert and is preferably not connected to it, but free. To ensure this, the socket insert or any other service interface can be designed such that it has no connections that can be connected to the data connector.

[0012] The equipment outlet and the service interface, for example in the form of a data connector, are arranged on the boundary wall of the compartment remote from the front, i.e. on its rear. The equipment outlet and the data connector are preferably arranged at a lateral distance from one another to enable reliable electrical insulation between the equipment outlet and the data connector. The data connector and the equipment outlet are thus spatially separated. Due to the spatial separation and the cover provided by the socket insert, electrical potential isolation measures for the data connector are not necessary. This reduces the design effort and the space required that would otherwise have to be provided for a reliable high-voltage-resistant isolating distance in the data line leading from the data connector.

[0013] Typically, a service insert is assigned to the device, which can be kept ready and carried by the service technician. The service insert has an outer contour that allows it to be inserted into the receptacle. The service insert has a housing that has a counterpart on one end surface that matches the service interface, e.g., a data connector (female or male) that is adapted to the data connector of the device. The data connector is arranged at such a point on the end surface that, when inserted into the receptacle, it engages with the data connector of the device, establishing a correct electrical connection.

[0014] The service connector typically does not have a connection for the device's resource output, so the service insert is unconnected to the device's resource output, even when the service insert is inserted into the receptacle.

[0015] The service insert can be designed to be purely passive, having a socket, e.g., a USB socket, on a section of its housing that protrudes from the storage compartment during use, or simply on its front. Other sockets, such as two-pin or multi-pin sockets, network sockets, or the like, can be provided additionally or alternatively. One or more such sockets form a communications interface to which another data processing device, i.e., a computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, smartphone, or the like, can be connected.

[0016] Alternatively, the interface for communication with another computer can be configured as a network interface or as a wireless connection. For this purpose, the service insert can contain a wireless module, e.g., a Bluetooth module or a WLAN module, which is configured for communication with corresponding counterparts, e.g., a computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, smartphone, or the like.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the service unit may contain its own storage and / or data processing resources, which can be operated or activated manually or via a communication interface from another electronic device, such as a mobile device (mobile phone, tablet, laptop, notebook, etc.). The storage resource may be designed to exchange data or programs with the device's controller, either directly or via a computer located in the service unit.

[0018] The preferred method for servicing a device includes removing the socket insert from the receptacle, inserting the service insert into the receptacle, activating the service insert, removing the service insert from the receptacle, and reinserting the socket insert into the receptacle.

[0019] Inserting the service insert into the receptacle involves connecting the data connectors of the device and the service insert. Activating the service insert involves enabling data exchange between the service insert and the device controller, or data exchange between a data processing device (computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, smartphone) connected to the service insert and the device controller via the service insert. Data exchange may only involve transferring data from the service insert to the device controller. Data exchange may also involve transferring data from the device controller to the service insert. Data exchange may also involve data transmission in both of the aforementioned directions.

[0020] The exchanged data may also or exclusively be application programs. The exchanged data may be operating data or operating parameters of the device, or measured values ​​collected by the device, which are stored in a memory of the device or a memory provided during the service operation. Additionally or alternatively, the data can be transferred via the aforementioned data interface to an external device, such as a computer device available to the service technician, such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, notebook, or the like.

[0021] Details of an exemplary embodiment of the invention can be found in the drawing, the dependent claims, or the description accompanying the drawing. They show: Figure 1 a device according to the invention in a simplified perspective view with a view towards its front, Figure 2the device after Figure 1 with removed socket insert, in perspective view, Figure 3 the socket insert for the device Figures 1 and 2 , in perspective view, Figure 4 a service call for the device after Figures 1 and 2 , Figure 5 the socket insert Figure 3 , in rear view, Figure 6 the service call after Figure 4 , in rear view, Figure 7 the device after Figures 1 and 2 in schematic block diagram, Figure 8 an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention in a schematic block diagram.

[0022] In Figure 1A device 10 is illustrated that serves to power one or more instruments (not shown). The device 10 illustrated as an example serves, for example, to supply the respective medical instrument with operating resources such as fluid media, i.e., gases, aerosols, and / or liquids. The term "supply" also encompasses the intake of media from the instrument, i.e., the provision of vacuum or suction power for suction purposes. The device can alternatively or additionally be configured to supply one or more medical instruments with electrical current. Additionally or alternatively, the device 10 can be configured to supply the medical instrument with light or to receive light that has been absorbed or generated by the instrument. This, too, is to be understood under the term "provision of operating resources."

[0023] To provide at least one operating resource, one or more connection options for medical instruments can be provided on the device 10. In the Figure 1 The device illustrated by way of example has two connection options, which are provided by socket inserts 11, 12. These socket inserts 11, 12 are arranged on the front side 13 of the device 10. The socket inserts 11, 12 are preferably designed such that they contain the connections required for operating an instrument. For example, the socket insert 11 has a socket 14 for a fluid and / or further sockets 15, 16 for electrical current. The sockets 15, 16 can carry operating current, controlling current, for example to control the device 10 from the connected instrument, or treatment currents, measuring currents, and the like. The device can (but does not have to) contain additional connections, e.g. one or more connections for a neutral electrode.

[0024] The socket insert 12 is illustrated by way of example as a purely electrical socket having several plug sockets 17, 18, 19 for the treatment current of a connected instrument. Furthermore, one or more pins 20 can be provided on the socket insert 12. These pins can serve to detect the type of plugged-in connector and can be arranged axially fixed or axially movable. Furthermore, one or more connectors can be provided that belong to control lines and can be connected to the device control via the operating elements provided on the instrument.

[0025] The socket inserts 11, 12 are merely exemplary in nature. A socket insert can also be provided that exclusively comprises one or more fluid sockets. A socket insert can be provided that exclusively has one or more connections for light, for supplying light to the instrument or receiving light from it. Furthermore, a socket insert can be provided that exclusively has one or more connections at which a suction function (vacuum) is provided. A socket insert can be provided that has at least one connection for treatment current, signal current, or other carriers of energy and / or information. It is also possible to provide a socket insert that has two or more of the aforementioned different types of connections.

[0026] Each socket insert 11, 12 is arranged in a receiving compartment. Figure 2illustrates an example of a storage compartment 21. The storage compartment 21 has a resource outlet 23 and a data interface, e.g., in the form of a data connector 24, on its rear wall 22. The resource outlet 23 and the data connector 24 are arranged at a lateral distance A from one another, which provides electrical insulation between the resource outlet 23 and the data connector 24 and thus the necessary air and creepage distances.

[0027] The device output 23 is shown as an electrical connector with many contacts, although the device output should not be understood as being limited to such connectors. The device output 23 can be formed by any connection means suitable for the secure transmission of the respective device from the device 10 to the socket insert 12 (or 11). The same applies to the data connector 24. This is also shown in Figure 2 shown as a multi-pin socket. However, the data connector 24 can also be any other connector suitable for data transmission.

[0028] If desired, guides 25, 26 for the socket insert 12 and / or locking projections 27 belonging to a locking device or other locking means can be arranged in the receiving compartment 21 to lock the socket insert 11 or 12, for example, in the manner shown in EP 2904982 A1. Corresponding release pins 28, 29 for releasing a corresponding locking mechanism can be provided in the socket inserts 11, 12 and be accessible from the front.

[0029] Figure 3illustrates the socket insert 12 separately in a partial perspective view. On its rear side 31, remote from the front side 30, there is an equipment connector 32, which is designed, for example, as a plug matching the equipment output 23. The equipment connector 32 can have a number of electrical contacts that come into electrical contact with contacts of the equipment output 23 when the socket insert 12 is fully inserted into the receiving compartment 21 and locked therein. The electrical contacts can be connected to contacts in the plug sockets 17, 18, 19 and / or to the pins 20. If other equipment, such as fluid and / or light and / or vacuum, are to be transmitted, the socket insert has corresponding connectors on its rear side 31 and on its front side 35.

[0030] Figure 5illustrates the rear side 31 of the socket insert 12 and the equipment connector 32 with its contacts K in a top view. As can be seen, the equipment connector 32 is spatially and functionally assigned to the equipment output 23. In contrast, the surface 33 opposite the data connector 24, which is shown in Figure 5 for illustrative purposes is outlined in dashed lines.

[0031] During operation, the socket insert 12 provides the operating currents and / or signal currents required for connecting the instrument in the sockets 17, 18, 19 and, if applicable, at the pins 20. However, the socket insert 12 conceals the data connector 24, so that it remains inaccessible to the user of the device 10 and the user of the instrument. The device 10 thus offers no possibility for unauthorized and uninitiated operators to intentionally or inadvertently access the data connector 24 and thus the internal settings of the device 10.

[0032] The service technician has access to service call 34, as described in the Figures 4 and 6is illustrated. This has an outer contour that is adapted to the inner contour of the receiving compartment 21 or is at least designed such that insertion of the service insert 34 into the receiving compartment 21 is possible. The service insert 34 can be of a length such that its front plate 35 is flush with the front side 13 of the device 10. Alternatively, however, the service insert 34 can also be longer so that it protrudes from the receiving compartment 12 after being inserted therein. The service insert 34 can, if required, be provided with locking means to secure it in the receiving compartment 21. Alternatively, such locking means can also be omitted.

[0033] The service insert 34 has on its rear side 36 facing away from the front panel 35 a data connector 37 (or another device connectable to the data interface of the device 10), the shape and position of which is adapted to the data connector 24 of the receiving compartment 21. The data connector 37 can be designed as a multi-pole electrical connector having a number of contacts that come into contact with contacts of the data connector 24, wherein the service insert 34 is inserted into the receiving compartment 21. The part 38 of the rear side 36 opposite the operating medium outlet 23 is in Figure 6 shown bordered by a dashed line. This area, ie, this part 38 of the rear side 36, is free, ie, no elements are arranged there that could come into electrical contact with contacts of the equipment output 23.

[0034] In the simplest case, the service insert 24 can be designed as a passive element, with a socket 39 for connecting an electrical data processing device provided on its front panel 35. The contacts of the socket 39 can be connected to corresponding contacts of the data connector 37. The socket 39 can be any socket, for example, a USB socket, a network socket, or the like.

[0035] The use and maintenance of the device 10 is as follows: During normal operation, the socket insert 12 is designed and operable for the connection of one instrument. If the device 10 is to be adapted for the operation of other instruments, this can be achieved by the service technician replacing the socket insert 12 with another suitable socket insert.

[0036] However, if the maintenance technician wants to update the software of the device 10, parameterize the device 10 differently from the previous settings, read operating data or measured values ​​from the device 10 or read or write other data, he requires access to the service interface of the device 10. This is formed by the data connector 24. For this purpose, the service technician first removes the socket insert 12 from the device and now has access to the data connector 24. If this (unlike in Figure 2shown) as a network socket or as a USB socket, the user can connect his laptop, notebook, or other data processing device directly to this socket. Preferably, however, a data connector 24 is provided in the device 10, which does not correspond to the standards of a network socket or a USB socket, thus making unauthorized access to the device software even more difficult. However, the service insert 34 is available to the service technician, which he then inserts into the receiving compartment 12. Once this has been done, he can connect a cable to the front panel 35 or the socket 39 to establish a connection between his data processing device (laptop, notebook, etc.) and the control 40 of the device 10 (see Figure 7 ).

[0037] After maintenance has been carried out, the service technician removes the service insert 34 from the receiving compartment 21 and inserts the socket insert 12 (or another socket insert if a change is desired) into the receiving compartment 21.

[0038] While Figure 7 schematically illustrates a device 10 with an electrical power unit 41, which feeds the operating medium output 23, for example with high-frequency alternating voltage, which is suitable for coagulating, ablating or cutting biological tissue, Figure 8a device 10, whose controller 40 additionally controls a fluid channel 42. This leads from a gas source 43, which can be configured as an external gas source or, as shown, within the device 10, via at least one valve 44 to the operating fluid outlet 23. The operating fluid outlet 23 here comprises a connector for fluids as well as connectors for the electrical voltage or current output by the power unit 41.

[0039] Such a configuration can be used to feed the socket insert 11 as shown in Figure 4 is illustrated. Again, the socket insert 11 can be removed and replaced for maintenance purposes with the service insert 34, which then provides the service technician with access to the control unit 40.

[0040] Instead of a socket insert 11 that transmits both fluid media and power, a socket insert 11 that transmits only fluid media and / or other power- or information-carrying media, such as light, can also be provided. The fluid channel 42 can also be designed as a suction channel.

[0041] In all the embodiments described above, instead of a passive service insert 34 as shown in Figure 4As shown, a service insert may be provided which itself contains a storage medium and / or at least one information processing element, such as a microcontroller. Such a service insert 34 may, for example, be configured to load data or programs into the controller 40 after the service insert 34 has been inserted into the receiving compartment 21. In this case, the front panel 35 may, for example, be designed without connection options or connection options for another computer. Such a service insert 34 may additionally or alternatively also be configured to read data from the controller 40 and store it within itself.

[0042] Such a service call 34 can also involve the Figure 4illustrated socket may be provided to connect an external device, such as a laptop or the like, in order to control, initiate or otherwise influence a data transmission from the service insert 34 to the controller 40 or from the controller 40 to the service insert 34.

[0043] The service insert 34 can also contain a radio module, for example a Bluetooth module or a WLAN module, to establish a connection to an external data processing device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a notebook, or a laptop, thus enabling communication between the controller 40 and the respective mobile device. In addition to the radio module, the service insert 34 can contain storage means and / or data processing means.

[0044] The device 10 according to the invention has a socket insert 11 arranged in a receiving compartment 21 of the device 10. The socket insert 11 is connected to a device's equipment interface 34. A data interface 24 is also arranged in the receiving compartment 21, which is concealed by the socket insert 11 and thus inaccessible from the outside.

[0045] To gain access to the device software and / or device data, the socket insert 11 can be removed and replaced with a service insert 34, which, on the one hand, conceals the resource output 23 but contacts the data connector 24. In this state, the service insert 34 can communicate directly with the device controller 40, or an external device (laptop, notebook, tablet, etc.) can communicate via the service insert 34 to read or read data and / or programs, as well as to update programs, change data, change device parameters, or the like. The arrangement of the service interface concealed by the socket insert 11, 12 represents an effective means of access control to the service interface.It makes it difficult or even prevents unauthorized access to the interface and damage to persons and material that could otherwise occur due to the lack of puncture-proof potential separation between the service interface and, in particular, the power section of the device control. Reference symbol:

[0046] 10Device 11Socket insert 12Socket insert 13Front 14Socket for fluid or for bipolar coaxial connector - depending on the design 15 - 19Sockets for electrical current 20Pins 21Receiving compartment 22Rear 23Resource outlet 24Data connector ASpacing 25, 26Guides 27Locking projection - locking device 27a 28, 29Release pins 30Front 31Rear 32Resource connector KContacts 33Free area 34Service insert 35Front panel 36Rear 37Data connector 38Area / area 39Socket 40Control 41Power section 42Fluid channel 43Gas source 44Valve

Claims

1. Apparatus (10) particularly for supply of medical instruments with operating media, particularly one or more fluidical media and / or electrical current, having a housing in which an electrical circuit (40) is arranged that comprises at least one operating medium output (23) or is connected with such an operating medium output (23) in a controlling manner and that comprises at least one data plug (24), having a receptacle (21) in which the operating medium output (23) and the data plug (24) are arranged, having a socket insert (11, 12) that is arranged in the receptacle (21) covering the data plug (24) and that comprises an operating medium connector (32) on the apparatus side that is releasably connected with the operating medium output (23) and that comprises an instrument connection (14-19) accessible from outside that is connected with the operating medium connector (32), wherein the socket insert (11, 12) is non-connected with the data plug (24) and does not comprise connections connectable with the data plug (24).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data plug (24) and the operating medium output (23) are arranged with distance to each other in the receptacle (21).

3. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a locking device (27a) for locking of the socket insert (11, 12) in the receptacle (21) is assigned to the socket insert (11, 12).

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the socket insert (11, 12) has a contour adapted to the receptacle (21).

5. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, having a service insert (34) that comprises a housing, which comprises a data plug (37) at an end face (36) that is adapted to the data plug (24) of the apparatus (10).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the service insert (34) it comprises a contour adapted to the receptacle (21).

7. Service insert according to any of the claim 5 or 6, wherein the service insert (34) is free from connection means for the operating medium output (23).

8. Service insert according to any of the claims 5 to 7, wherein the service insert (34) comprises a storage medium (34a) that is connected with the data plug (37).

9. Service insert according to any of the claims 5 to 8, wherein the service insert (34) comprises an interface (39) for communication with a computer.

10. Service insert according to claim 9, wherein the interface (39) is a USB-interface.

11. Service insert according to claim 9, wherein the interface (39) is a network interface.

12. Service insert according to claim 9, wherein the interface is a radio transmission.

13. Method for servicing an apparatus according to any of the claims 5 to 12, comprising the following steps: Removing the socket insert (11, 12), which is not in contact with the data plug (24), from the receptacle (21), Inserting the service insert (34), which is in contact with the data plug (24), in the receptacle (21), Activating the service insert (34), Removing the service insert (34), which is in contact with the data plug (24), from the receptacle (21), Inserting the socket insert (11, 12), which is not in contact with the data plug (24), in the receptacle (21).