Electrotome Hardware Arbitration for Fault-Tolerant HF Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing high-frequency electrotome control systems in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgical devices are prone to errors due to software faults, which can lead to incorrect high-frequency electrical energy output, posing serious risks to patients.
Innovation Solution
A high-frequency electrotome control system that incorporates an activation pedal, a control system, and an arbitration module with a logic OR circuit and logic AND circuits to ensure correct activation of the high-frequency generator, while also providing a fault-tolerant control mode to prevent wrong electrotome output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If software logic processing is introduced to simplify operation and improve efficiency, then the ease of operation and productivity are improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential software faults causing incorrect high-frequency energy output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hardware arbitration module as an intermediary between the software control system and the high-frequency generator. This module receives both software control signals and hardware pedal signals, performs logical AND operations on them, and only outputs activation signals when both conditions are met. This intermediary hardware layer prevents software faults from directly controlling the high-frequency output, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified software control and system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dual-signal verification mechanism where the system checks both software control signals and hardware pedal signals before activating the high-frequency generator. By requiring both signals to be present simultaneously, the system creates a safety buffer that prevents incorrect activation due to software errors. This beforehand verification cushioning ensures that even if software fails, the hardware signal requirement prevents dangerous misoperation.
2Device complexity
If multiple surgical tools are connected to one high-frequency generator, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability worsens due to increased risk of wrong pedal activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors which surgical tool is currently being operated and uses this information to verify pedal activation signals. The control system receives feedback about the active tool and cross-references it with the pedal signal source, ensuring that the high-frequency generator is activated only for the intended tool. This feedback loop prevents wrong activation while maintaining a single generator for multiple tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware arbitration module serves as an intermediary that receives signals from multiple pedal sources and the software control system, then performs logical verification before activating the high-frequency generator. This intermediary layer ensures that even with multiple surgical tools connected to one generator, the system maintains reliability by verifying the correctness of each activation signal through hardware logic operations.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication mode is used for electrotome control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and safety deteriorate due to potential communication errors and regulatory concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hardware arbitration module as an intermediary layer between the control signals (whether from wireless or wired sources) and the high-frequency generator. This hardware intermediary processes and verifies all activation signals through logical operations, ensuring that wireless communication errors cannot directly cause incorrect generator activation. The hardware layer acts as a safety barrier that maintains reliability regardless of the input signal source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely electronic/software control with a hardware-based logical verification system. By using hardware logic circuits (AND gates, OR gates) to verify activation signals, the system substitutes unreliable wireless or software-only control with deterministic hardware verification. This mechanical/hardware substitution ensures that communication mode limitations do not compromise the fundamental safety of high-frequency activation.
Data Source
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Figure 2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
A high-frequency electrotome control system and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control system comprises an electrotome activation pedal (11), a master-slave control system (12) and a high-frequency electrotome activation hardware arbitration module (13); the electrotome activation pedal (11) is connected with the master-slave control system (12) and the high-frequency electrotome activation hardware arbitration module (13); the high-frequency electrotome activation hardware arbitration module (13) comprises a logic OR circuit (131), a plurality of logic AND circuits (132) and a plurality of switch elements, the logic OR circuit (131) is to perform logic OR operation on a contact signal of the electrotome activation pedal (11), a hardware control signal outputted by the logic OR circuit (131) is sent to the master-slave control system (12) for feedback, another hardware control signal outputted by the logic OR circuit (131) is performed a logic AND operation with a plurality of software control signals sent by the master-slave control system (12), respectively, and a result of the logic AND operation is used to control a switching action of the switch element connected with a high-frequency electrotome generator (14).