Electrosurgical Connector Sequence Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical systems using argon plasma coagulation lack a mechanism to ensure that RF energy and ionizable gas connections are properly established before activation, leading to potential misuse or inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A connector system with three components each for the electrosurgical generator and instrument, where the identification component connects only after the RF energy and gas components are securely mated, preventing activation until proper connections are confirmed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple connector system is used for electrosurgical instruments, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to inability to verify proper connection of RF energy and ionizable gas supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into three distinct connector components: a first connector component for RF energy connection, a second connector component for ionizable gas connection, and a third connector component for instrument identification. This segmentation allows each component to be independently verified for proper connection, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely complex new system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector components are designed so that the first and second connector components (RF and gas connections) must be established before the third connector component (identification) can be connected. This preliminary action sequence ensures that essential connections are verified before the instrument is fully activated, improving reliability while maintaining a relatively simple overall connector structure.
2Reliability
If connector components are connected in any sequence, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential premature activation before proper connections are established
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design enforces a specific connection sequence where the first connector component (RF energy) and second connector component (ionizable gas) must be connected before the third connector component (identification) can engage. This preliminary action ensures that critical connections are established first, preventing premature activation while still allowing for relatively easy operation through natural insertion motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector components are arranged in different axial positions along the connector assembly. The first and second connector components are positioned such that they engage first during insertion, while the third connector component is positioned to engage later. This spatial arrangement in another dimension (axial position) enforces the correct connection sequence without complicating the operational ease.
3Reliability
If the third connector component for identification is connected first, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates as RF energy and gas supply connections may not be properly established
Solution Approach 1:
The identification function is separated into a distinct third connector component that is physically positioned to connect after the RF and gas connections. This segmentation allows the identification system to be verified only after essential connections are established, improving reliability while keeping the overall connector design modular and manageable in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The third connector component for identification is positioned at a different axial location along the connector than the first and second components. This dimensional arrangement ensures that during normal insertion, the RF and gas connections are established first, and only then does the identification connection engage, providing automatic verification without requiring complex control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection system for an electrosurgical instrument comprises first and second connectors capable of being mated one with the other, the first connector (5) being associated with an electrosurgical generator (1) and the second connector (12) being associated with the electrosurgical instrument (9). The first and second connectors each include at least three connector components, each of the three connector components of the first connector (5) being capable of being connected and disconnected to a to respective one of the three connector components of the second connector (12). When the first connector components (14, 19) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering an RF energy output from the electrosurgical generator (1) to the electrosurgical instrument (9). When the second connector components (16, 22) are connected to each other they are capable of delivering a supply of ionizable gas to the electrosurgical instrument (9). When the third connector components (15, 21) are connected to each other they capable of identifying the electrosurgical instrument (9) to the electrosurgical generator (1). When the first and second connectors are mated one with the other, the third connector components (15, 21) are connected one to the other only after the first and second connector components are connected one to the other.