Electrosurgical Socket Contact Layout for Reliable Plug Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical devices face challenges in reliably detecting correct plug connections without increasing complexity, as additional sensors for plug detection introduce additional sources of error.
Innovation Solution
A socket design with two constantly electrically connected contact elements, a spring-loaded contact pin, and a spring bushing for plug contact detection, allowing a test voltage to be applied across the plug connection to ensure proper contact without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional sensors or plug detection devices are used to detect correct plug connections, then the reliability of plug contact detection is improved, but the device complexity increases and additional sources of error are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The socket uses its own contact elements (first and second contact elements) to perform both the function of transmitting high-frequency current and the function of detecting plug contact. The contact elements themselves serve as the detection mechanism, eliminating the need for separate sensors or detection devices. This self-service approach maintains reliability while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second contact elements are designed to serve multiple functions: they transmit high-frequency current during surgical operation and simultaneously enable plug contact detection during testing. By making the contact elements universal components that perform both transmission and detection functions, the invention avoids adding separate detection hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection reliability.
2Reliability
If additional sensors or plug detection devices are used to detect correct plug connections, then the reliability of plug contact detection is improved, but additional sources of error are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements perform self-detection without requiring external sensing components. By using the existing conductive path through the contact elements themselves for both current transmission and contact verification, the invention eliminates additional error sources that would arise from separate sensors, interfaces, or detection circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the detection function from separate detection hardware and integrates it into the existing contact elements. By taking out the need for additional sensors and embedding the detection capability within the contact elements themselves, the invention removes additional error sources while maintaining detection reliability.
3Device complexity
If a simple design without additional sensors is used, then the device complexity is reduced and error sources are minimized, but the ability to reliably detect plug connections may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are designed as universal components that simultaneously handle high-frequency current transmission and plug contact detection. This multi-functionality allows the simple design to maintain reliability by using the same proven contact elements for both purposes, avoiding the need for additional sensors while ensuring detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary test voltage application across the contact elements before actual surgical operation. This preliminary action verifies proper plug contact using the existing contact elements, ensuring reliability is confirmed before high-frequency current is applied, thereby maintaining safety without adding complex detection hardware.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If test voltage is applied across the plug connection, then plug contact detection is enabled, but the system requires a mechanism to apply and evaluate the test voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses the existing signal processing capabilities to generate and evaluate the test voltage signal. The same control logic that manages high-frequency current transmission also handles the test voltage application and evaluation, allowing the system to perform detection without adding dedicated testing hardware or complex detection mechanisms.
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
Enables reliable plug connection detection with a simple design, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring consistent electrical contact for high-frequency current transmission.
Implementation Method 1
At least one first contact element for transmitting high-frequency current to the plug connector is arranged on the inner circumference. A second contact element is arranged on the connector base.
Implementation Method 2
the second contact element can be a spring-loaded contact pin for this purpose
Data Source
AI summary
A socket (SB) for transmitting high-frequency current to a plug connector (ST), for an electrosurgical application includes a plug contact opening (SA), a connector base (SG) arranged opposite the plug contact opening (SA), and a housing (G) having an inner circumference (GU). A first contact element (K1) for transmitting high-frequency current to the plug connector (ST) is arranged on the inner circumference (GU), and a second contact element (K2) is arranged on the connector base (SG). The second contact element (K2) is provided for transmitting high-frequency current to the plug connector (ST) and is constantly electrically connected to the first contact element (K1) such that the first and the second contact elements (K1, K2) have the same electrical potential. A plug-in system (S) and an electrosurgical device (EG) with such a socket (SB) are also provided.