Electrosurgical Instrument Plug With Mechanical Use Limit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrosurgical instruments have a limited number of uses before they need to be discarded, and reusing them can lead to complications during electrosurgery due to the lack of a mechanism to prevent further use after reaching their operational limit.

Innovation Solution

An electrosurgical system with a plug and receptacle design that includes a mechanical interface and a conductive medium or fuse, which breaks the electrical coupling when the plug is disengaged, preventing further use of the instrument.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrosurgical instruments are designed for multiple uses, then device versatility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to inability to prevent reuse after reaching operational limit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument reusabilityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a predetermined use limit mechanism that is pre-configured in the electrosurgical instrument or generator. The system tracks the number of uses through electrical coupling cycles between the plug and receptacle, and automatically prevents further use after reaching the predetermined limit by breaking the electrical connection. This preliminary action ensures safety by preventing reuse before any potential complications can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback mechanism that monitors each engagement and disengagement of the plug from the receptacle. The generator receives signals from the instrument through the electrical connection, tracking the number of uses. When the predetermined limit is reached, the system provides feedback to break the electrical coupling, thereby preventing further operation. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable enforcement of the use limit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If electrosurgical instruments have unlimited use, then productivity and cost-efficiency are improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential complications from excessive use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument usage frequencyVSAvoidcomplications from reuse

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a use limit mechanism that proactively prevents the instrument from being used beyond its safe operational capacity. The system is designed to automatically stop further use before any harmful effects can manifest, by breaking the electrical connection after the predetermined number of uses is reached. This preemptive approach eliminates the risk of complications from excessive use while maintaining high productivity within safe limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If a use-limiting mechanism is implemented, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components needed to track and enforce usage limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety controlVSAvoidplug and receptacle mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the electrical connection itself as an intermediary mechanism to enforce the use limit. The plug and receptacle design incorporates use-tracking functionality through the electrical coupling between the generator and instrument. Each connection and disconnection cycle is detected by the generator, which counts the uses and breaks the electrical connection when the limit is reached. This approach leverages the existing electrical pathway as the limiting mechanism, avoiding the need for separate complex tracking devices while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures safe and controlled use of electrosurgical instruments by limiting their usage to a predetermined number of times, thereby preventing complications and ensuring the instrument is not reused beyond its intended operational limit.

Implementation Method 1

a chamber defined therein filled with a conductive medium that provides electrical continuity between the terminal and the prong

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the at least one mechanical interface cooperates with the recess to uncouple the prong from the terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical coupling: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS8968294B2Single or limited use device designs

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical system. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to output electrosurgical energy and including a receptacle having at least one mechanical interface. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument adapted to connect to the electrosurgical generator and configured to deliver energy to tissue. Further, a plug is provided to engage the receptacle to electrically couple the electrosurgical instrument to the electrosurgical generator. The plug includes a terminal electrically coupled to the electrosurgical instrument and a prong electrically coupled to the terminal that includes a recess defined therein and is configured to receive the at least one mechanical interface. When the plug is disengaged from the receptacle, the at least one mechanical interface cooperates with the recess to uncouple the prong from the terminal.