Battery Pack Sleep Mode Control Circuit for Surgical Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical stapling instruments lack efficient battery management systems, leading to unnecessary energy drainage and potential battery life mismanagement, which can impact the operational reliability and efficiency during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an independent control circuit within the battery pack that autonomously manages power supply and sleep mode, allowing it to shut down or enter sleep mode independently of the handle assembly's control circuit, thereby preventing unnecessary energy drainage and optimizing battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery pack remains continuously powered to ensure immediate operational readiness, then the instrument can respond instantly to surgical needs, but energy is wasted and battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational readinessVSAvoidenergy drainage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack control circuit dynamically transitions between operational mode and sleep mode based on communication status with the handle assembly. When no communication is detected, the circuit enters sleep mode to conserve energy; when communication is established, it transitions to operational mode for immediate responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit changes operational parameters by adjusting power supply states to different circuit components. During sleep mode, power is reduced or cut to non-essential circuits while maintaining minimal monitoring capability. In operational mode, full power is restored to all circuits for complete functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If the battery pack enters sleep mode to conserve energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but the response time to become operational increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit performs preliminary actions by maintaining a ready state where minimal monitoring continues during sleep mode. This allows the circuit to detect communication requests immediately and transition to operational mode without full shutdown, reducing response time while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic power management where the control circuit can rapidly switch between power states. The transition from sleep mode to operational mode is optimized to occur quickly upon detecting a communication signal, balancing energy conservation with operational responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the battery pack has autonomous control capability to manage sleep mode, then battery life management is optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack control circuit provides self-service by autonomously monitoring communication status and determining when to enter or exit sleep mode without external control. This self-management capability optimizes battery life while the circuit complexity is justified by the autonomous decision-making functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit performs multiple functions: power management, communication monitoring, mode transition control, and battery life optimization. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated control circuit, the patent achieves autonomous operation while managing complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3420966B1Battery pack with integrated circuit providing sleep mode to battery pack and associated surgical instrument
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 ETHICON INC
  • EP3420966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3420966B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3420966B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus includes a handle assembly and a battery pack. The handle assembly includes a housing and a first control circuit located within the housing. The battery pack assembly includes a power supply and a second control circuit. The power supply is configured to selectively transition from a first state to a second state. The power supply is configured to energize the first control circuit of the handle assembly in the first state. The power supply is configured to not energize the first control circuit of the handle assembly in the second state. The second control circuit is configured to transition the power supply between the first state and the second state.