Combined Surgical Generator With Motional Current Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices require separate generators due to their unique drive signals, sensing and feedback needs, limiting their ability to recognize interchangeable instruments and exposing patients to leakage current, and lacking unified user interfaces and feedback systems.

Innovation Solution

A combined generator that uses high-speed analog-to-digital sampling and digital signal processing to determine motional branch current, reduce harmonic distortion, and maintain resonant frequency lock, while incorporating electrical isolation and advanced user interfaces for both ultrasonic and electrosurgical instruments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate generators are used for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, then each device can have optimized drive signals and control, but the system complexity increases and patients are exposed to leakage current

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice performance optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines ultrasonic and electrosurgical drive circuits into a single generator platform. The generator includes separate drive signal generation circuits for ultrasonic (producing high-frequency sinusoidal signals) and electrosurgical (producing RF signals) modes, along with shared control and monitoring systems. This merging reduces system complexity and eliminates leakage current exposure while maintaining optimized performance for both device types through dedicated drive circuits within the unified generator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate generators are used for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, then each device can have specialized control, but unified user interface and feedback systems are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice-specific control capabilityVSAvoiduser interface unity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The generator implements a unified user interface that provides consistent control and monitoring for both ultrasonic and electrosurgical modes. The display shows real-time parameters including power delivery, impedance measurements, and operational status for either device type. The control algorithms automatically adapt to the connected device type, providing optimized control without requiring separate interfaces or操作流程.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If separate generators are used, then leakage current exposure is eliminated, but the ability to recognize interchangeable instruments is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage current exposureVSAvoidinstrument recognition capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The generator incorporates real-time impedance measurement and monitoring circuits that continuously sense the electrical characteristics of the connected surgical instrument. Based on impedance feedback, the control system automatically identifies the instrument type (ultrasonic or electrosurgical) and adjusts drive signal parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the generator to recognize interchangeable instruments and optimize performance while maintaining electrical isolation to prevent leakage current exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 precise control of power delivery and impedance measurement, reduces electromagnetic interference, and provides unified feedback and user interfaces, enhancing surgical device performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

high-speed analog-to-digital sampling and digital signal processing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Implementation Method 2

Vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade denatures protein in the tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

electrosurgical devices can provide substantially simultaneous transection of tissue and homeostasis by coagulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20260020895A1Surgical generator for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.