Electrosurgical Generator Remote Configuration via Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrosurgical generators have limited user customization and flexibility in operating modes, restricting the selection of compatible electrosurgical instruments and requiring lengthy development cycles for new modes, which hampers user-friendliness and operational safety.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a server device and electrosurgical generator that allows for remote configuration and updates of operating modes through identification information, enabling users to access and store personalized modes, use new instruments, and receive updates without complex reauthorization, using communication interfaces and a token for secure operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If operating modes are pre-installed on the generator during manufacturing, then the generator can provide standardized energy supply profiles, but the user cannot customize or update operating modes independently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization of operating modesVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A server device acts as an intermediary between the user and the electrosurgical generator. The server stores multiple operating modes and communicates them to the generator via a communication interface, allowing users to access and switch between different operating modes without modifying the generator's hardware or firmware. This resolves the contradiction by enabling customization through an external intermediary while keeping the generator itself simple and unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the producer provides new operating modes through hardware modifications, then new functionality can be added, but the development cycle is lengthy and requires on-site reauthorization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of deploying new operating modesVSAvoiddevelopment lead time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the generator hardware to add new operating modes, the system creates software copies of operating mode configurations stored on a server. These digital copies can be instantly transmitted to the generator through a communication interface, allowing new functionality to be deployed immediately without physical hardware changes, lengthy development cycles, or on-site reauthorization procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the generator has fixed operating modes authorized during manufacturing, then operational safety can be ensured, but the service life is limited and cannot adapt to new instruments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of generatorVSAvoidcompatibility with new instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms the static, fixed operating modes of traditional generators into dynamic, updateable configurations. The server stores multiple operating modes that can be selectively transmitted to the generator based on the connected electrosurgical instrument. This allows the generator to adapt its functionality over time and across different instruments while maintaining operational safety through controlled access via the communication interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If on-site reauthorization is performed for configuration changes, then operational safety can be maintained, but the process is complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoiduser-friendliness of configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to independently access and switch between operating modes through a user interface that communicates with the server. The server automatically manages the authorization and transmission of appropriate operating modes based on the connected instrument, eliminating the need for complex on-site reauthorization procedures. This maintains reliability through controlled access while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20220313343A1Operation of an electrosurgical generator

Publication Date: 2022.10.06 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH

AI summary

A method having: sending, to a spatially separately arranged server device, a configuration request having an item of identification information of the electrosurgical generator; receiving an item of operating information indicative of an operating mode, wherein the operating mode is capable of partially controlling the energy supply of the electrosurgical instrument by the electrosurgical generator; and storing the operating information in a data memory of the electrosurgical generator. Furthermore, a method for operating a server device, the method having: receiving a configuration request having an item of identification information of an electrosurgical generator; determining, at least partially in dependence on the identification information, an item of operating information indicative of one operating mode of a plurality of predefined operating modes, wherein operating modes are each capable of partially controlling an energy supply of an electrosurgical instrument by the electrosurgical generator; and sending, to the electrosurgical generator, the operating information.