Electrosurgical Generator Focus Switching Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical systems with multiple instruments connected to a single generator can inadvertently transfer control from one instrument to another without consent, potentially leading to unsafe situations, especially when a less experienced surgeon is working alongside a more experienced one.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a controller and selection means that allow only the active instrument to change the active output connection, requiring a specific sequence of signals from the handswitches to transfer focus, ensuring that the more experienced surgeon has control over the transfer, and designates primary and secondary instruments based on hierarchy to manage focus switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are connected to a single generator, then versatility and adaptability are improved, but control safety and reliability deteriorate due to inadvertent focus transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires a two-stage activation process where the first activation prepares the instrument for focus transfer and the second activation completes the transfer. This preliminary action sequence ensures that focus cannot be transferred inadvertently, as both stages must be deliberately executed in sequence, thereby maintaining control safety while enabling multi-instrument versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The generator provides visual feedback by illuminating indicators on the active instrument to show which instrument currently has focus. This feedback mechanism allows surgeons to monitor the active instrument status, preventing inadvertent focus transfer and ensuring controlled operation when multiple instruments are connected to the generator.
2Ease of operation
If focus transfer is allowed between instruments, then operational flexibility is improved, but unintended changes and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a two-stage activation sequence where the first activation prepares the instrument for focus transfer and the second activation completes the transfer. This preliminary action requirement ensures that focus transfer is deliberate and controlled, preventing unintended changes while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system counteracts the risk of inadvertent focus transfer by requiring a specific two-stage activation sequence. The first activation alone does not transfer focus but prepares the system, and only the second activation completes the transfer. This preliminary anti-action prevents accidental focus changes while allowing intentional switching between instruments.
3Speed
If handswitch activation immediately transfers focus, then responsiveness is improved, but control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the focus transfer process into two distinct stages: first activation prepares the instrument and second activation completes the transfer. This preliminary action sequence maintains control precision by ensuring deliberate intent, while still achieving rapid focus transfer when the two-stage sequence is executed, thus balancing speed and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator (1) including at least one source of radio frequency (RF) power, and a plurality of output connections (2, 3, 4), only one of the output connections at any one time being active in that it is able to receive radio frequency power from the source. The generator (1) includes selection means adapted to change the active output connection, and a controller adapted to control the supply of radio frequency power from the source to the active output connection. The system also includes a plurality of electrosurgical assemblies, each including an electrosurgical instrument (5, 6, 7) and a cable (8, 9, 10) connecting the electrosurgical instrument to one of the output connections (2, 3, 4). The electrosurgical instruments (5, 6, 7) each include a handswitch (17, 18, 19) adapted to send a signal to the generator (1) to change the active output connection. The selection means is such that a signal sent from the handswitch (17, 18, 19) of the active instrument (5, 6, 7) can cause the generator (1) to change the active output connection to a different output connection (2, 3, 4), but a signal sent from the handswitch of an instrument other than the active instrument does not immediately cause the selection means to change the active output connection to a different output connection.