Electrosurgical Memory Data Integrity via Dual Element Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetic interference can cause write access failures to memory elements in electrosurgical instruments, compromising operating data and making it unreliable to determine if further use is permitted.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual operating data element system with write flags that toggle after successful writing, ensuring that only one element is accessed for writing, and if a failure occurs, the other element remains intact with the most recent data, allowing for precise determination of the instrument's state of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single operating data element is used in the memory element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of operating data is compromised due to electromagnetic interference causing write access failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of operating dataVSAvoidstructure of memory element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operating data element is divided into two separate operating data elements (first operating data element and second operating data element) within the memory element. This segmentation allows the system to write data to one element while reading from the other, preventing write access failures from compromising all operating data. The memory element is further structured with configuration data, first operating data element, second operating data element, and optional checksum elements to provide comprehensive protection against electromagnetic interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If write access is performed to the memory element without protection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of operating data is compromised due to electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity of operating dataVSAvoidwrite access operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a safe write protocol before actually writing operating data. The power supply unit determines which operating data element should be written to based on the current state, and the instrument determines which element to read from. This preliminary coordination ensures that write and read operations never interfere with each other, preventing electromagnetic interference from compromising data integrity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If operating data is stored in a single location, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of determining instrument usage status is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of usage status determinationVSAvoidmemory element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the power supply unit and instrument continuously monitor the state of operating data elements and adjust their operations accordingly. The power supply unit determines which operating data element to write to based on feedback from the instrument's current state, and the instrument feedback indicates which element contains the most recent data. This feedback loop ensures accurate determination of instrument usage status while maintaining manufacturability through standardized memory structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3861952B1Electrosurgical system, electrosurgical instrument, operating data writing method, and electrosurgical power supply apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
  • EP3861952B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3861952B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3861952B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An electrosurgical system is provided, comprising: an electrosurgical power supply unit (10), and an electrosurgical instrument (11), wherein the electrosurgical instrument (11) includes a memory element (20) which can be read and written by the electrosurgical power supply unit (10) when the electrosurgical instrument (11) is connected to the electrosurgical power supply unit (10), and the electrosurgical power supply unit is configured to write operating data to the memory element (20).The electrosurgical system is characterized by the fact that the operating data is stored or can be stored on the storage element in a data structure which includes a first operating data element (67) and a second operating data element (68), and that the electrosurgical supply device (10) is configured to write operating data alternately to the first operating data element (67) or the second operating data element (68).