Color Indicator Electrosurgical Attachment Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrosurgical generators rely on expensive RFID tags for identifying instruments and accessories, necessitating a simplified alternative for effective identification.

Innovation Solution

An electrosurgical system with a detection circuit in the generator that uses a light emitting device to illuminate an indicator on the electrosurgical attachment and an optical module to determine its color, allowing the controller to identify the type of attachment and modify the generator's operation accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RFID tags are used for identifying electrosurgical instruments, then identification reliability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification reliabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive RFID tags with inexpensive color-coded indicators on plugs and receptacles. These simple color indicators serve as disposable, low-cost identification elements that eliminate the need for expensive electronic identification systems while maintaining reliable instrument identification through color coding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electronic RFID identification system with a simple optical detection system. The generator includes an optical sensor that detects the color of the indicator on the connected attachment, replacing complex electronic tags with a straightforward optical color recognition mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If color indicators are used for identification, then device cost decreases, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice costVSAvoidcolor detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary between the color indicator and the generator's control system. This sensor precisely measures the reflected light wavelength to determine the indicator's color, ensuring accurate identification even with simple color-coded indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent measures the wavelength parameter of reflected light to determine color. By analyzing the specific wavelength range of light reflected from the indicator, the system achieves precise color detection and instrument identification using simple color indicators rather than complex tags.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables cost-effective and efficient identification of electrosurgical attachments, allowing the generator to configure its operation based on the attachment type, thereby improving the precision and safety of electrosurgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

an optical module configured to measure the light reflected by the indicator and determine a color of the indicator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20220409331A1Identification of electrosurgical attachments using color indicators

Publication Date: 2022.12.29 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical attachment having a plug with an indicator. The system may also include an electrosurgical generator having a port configured to couple to the plug. The port may include a detection circuit having: a light emitting device configured to illuminate the indicator with a light and an optical module configured to measure the light reflected by the indicator and determine a color of the indicator. The system may also include a controller configured to identify a type of the electrosurgical attachment based on the color of the indicator.