Electrosurgical Audio Tone Information Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrosurgical systems lack the ability to effectively embed and transmit information about the electrosurgical generator, instrument, and procedure within an audible tone, which can lead to inefficiencies and uncertainties in tissue treatment.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical system with a computer and audio output module that embeds information such as date, time, energy delivery, and instrument details into an audible tone, which can be recorded and deciphered by an audio collector for future use, allowing for improved procedure documentation and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an electrosurgical generator provides audible tones to indicate duty cycle status, then the user receives clear operational feedback, but the system cannot embed additional information about the generator, instrument, and procedure in the same audio output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses audio frequency modulation as an intermediary mechanism to embed information within audible tones. The audio output module modulates the frequency of audible tones according to data from the generator, instrument, and procedure parameters, allowing information transmission without adding separate communication channels or increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency parameter of audible tones to encode information. By varying the frequency of the audio output based on procedural data, the system embeds multiple pieces of information within a single audio channel, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system simplicity
2Reliability
If the electrosurgical system embeds encrypted information in audio tones, then accurate procedure tracking is achieved, but the audio output requires sophisticated decoding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The audio collector receives the modulated audio output and decodes the frequency variations to retrieve embedded information. This feedback loop ensures accurate reconstruction of procedural data from the audio signal, maintaining reliability while managing the complexity of detection through a dedicated decoding component
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an audio copy of procedural information that can be transmitted and stored independently. By encoding data in audio frequencies that mirror the procedural parameters, the system enables accurate tracking without requiring complex real-time analysis during the procedure itself
3Loss of information
If the system transmits comprehensive procedural information through audio tones, then complete procedure documentation is achieved, but the audio signal becomes difficult to distinguish from noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic modulation of audio frequencies at distinct intervals to encode different types of information. By transmitting data in regular, periodic audio patterns rather than continuous variation, the system maintains signal distinguishability while conveying comprehensive procedural information
Solution Approach 2:
The audio output is segmented into distinct frequency bands or time intervals, each carrying specific types of information. This segmentation allows multiple data elements to be transmitted separately within the audio channel, reducing interference and improving signal clarity while maintaining complete documentation
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical system is provided. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator including a computer having one or more microprocessors in operable communication with memory for storing information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator. An audio output module is in operable communication with the computer and configured to generate an audio output having the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator embedded therein. A speaker is in operable communication with the audio output module for outputting the audio output. A recording device is configured to record the audio output. An audio collector is configured to receive the audio output from the recording device and decipher the embedded audio so that the information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may be utilized for future use.