Capacitive Identification Circuit for Surgical Instrument Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments lack an effective method for identifying and authenticating themselves to generators, which can lead to unauthorized use or misuse, particularly in energy-based surgical procedures like electrosurgery and microwave surgery, potentially causing tissue damage or equipment malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a capacitive identifying circuit with multiple capacitive elements on surgical instruments that can be interrogated by a generator, using a capacitance-to-digital converter and multiplexer to determine a unique identification value, and performing hash algorithms or encryption to verify authenticity and track usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical instruments lack identification circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to unauthorized use and equipment misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic identification systems with a capacitive-based identification circuit. The capacitive elements (such as printed conductive patterns) provide instrument identification through electrical capacitance measurements, eliminating the need for complex mechanical switches, buttons, or traditional electronic identification hardware while maintaining reliability through unique capacitive signatures for each instrument.
2Measurement precision
If capacitive elements are added to surgical instruments, then instrument identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes variations in capacitive parameters (capacitance values, time constants) of different capacitive elements to encode instrument identification information. Each surgical instrument has a unique combination of capacitive elements with specific capacitance values, allowing the generator to distinguish between different instruments by measuring these electrical parameters. This approach achieves high identification accuracy by leveraging naturally occurring electrical property variations rather than requiring complex identification hardware.
3Reliability
If traditional identification methods are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to unauthorized instrument use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs capacitive elements that can be manufactured as disposable or single-use components integrated into surgical instruments. These capacitive identification circuits can be created using low-cost printed conductive patterns on flexible substrates, making them economically viable as disposable elements. This approach ensures reliability through unique identification of each instrument while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple, cost-effective fabrication processes suitable for high-volume production of disposable medical devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate identification and authentication of surgical instruments, preventing unauthorized use and tracking end-of-life, thereby enhancing safety and preventing equipment misuse during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of capacitive elements is readable by the generator. A capacitance-to-digital converter may be electrically coupled to the identifying circuit to interrogate the identifying circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument and related method are provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing, a cable, and an identifying circuit. An end-effector is coupled to the housing for treating tissue. The cable extends from the housing and is configured to couple the surgical instrument to a generator. The identifying circuit includes a plurality of capacitive elements disposed on the surgical instrument. The plurality of capacitive elements is readable by the generator.