Modular Electrosurgical Connector Monitoring Against Capacitive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments face challenges in preventing undesired power or signal crossings between electrical features, and in mitigating capacitive couplings that can lead to equipment failure, damage, or patient injury.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of features such as conductive shields, non-conductive spacers, and active electronic controls or sensors in electrical connector arrays to protect against capacitive coupling and ensure reliable electrical communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrical features are positioned in close proximity to transmit power and signals efficiently, then energy transmission efficiency is improved, but the risk of undesired power crossings and capacitive coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system that detects electrical conditions between closely positioned electrical features. Sensors monitor for undesired power crossings and capacitive coupling, acting as a mediator that detects harmful interactions before they cause damage, allowing the system to maintain close electrical feature positioning while preventing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor electrical conditions and provide information to a control system. When capacitive coupling or undesired power crossings are detected, the system responds by interrupting or adjusting power delivery, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains safety while allowing efficient energy transmission.
2Ease of manufacture
If modular components are designed with simple electrical contacts for easy assembly, then ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but reliability against short circuits and signal interference deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates monitoring sensors and protective features into the modular components during manufacturing, before assembly. The electrical connections are pre-equipped with detection capabilities that monitor for short circuits and signal interference, ensuring reliability is built-in from the start rather than added later through complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates monitoring sensors and protective structures within the existing modular component architecture. The sensors are nested within or alongside the electrical contacts, allowing the monitoring function to be incorporated without significantly increasing the external dimensions or assembly complexity of the modular components.
3Ease of operation
If electrical contacts are exposed for direct connection between modular components, then ease of operation and connectivity is improved, but susceptibility to external voltages and capacitive coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-protecting electrical connection system where the exposed electrical contacts include integrated sensors that automatically detect external voltages and capacitive coupling. The system monitors its own electrical conditions and autonomously responds to harmful conditions by interrupting power delivery, making the exposed contacts self-protecting without requiring additional protective enclosures that would compromise ease of connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, a control module, a first electrical connector, and a plurality of nonconductive structures. The first electrical connector is operatively coupled with the control module and includes a first plurality of electrical contacts. At least one electrical contact of the first plurality of electrical contacts is configured to transfer a power output from the control module to a second plurality of electrical contacts of a second electrical connector while the first and second electrical connectors are coupled. The nonconductive structures are disposed adjacent each of the plurality of first electrical contacts. The nonconductive structures are configured to prevent a signal interference between each electrical contact of the first plurality of electrical contacts.