FRAM Memory in Electrosurgical Instrument Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical instruments lack reliable and permanent identification and tracking systems, particularly after sterilization using gamma radiation, which hinders the reuse of disposable instruments designed for high-frequency surgery.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FRAM) device in the RFID tag of surgical instruments, including a power cable or connecting cable, allows for reliable identification and documentation of the instrument's history, enabling safe reuse after gamma radiation sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable instruments are used for high-frequency surgery, then safety and ease of use are improved, but resource waste and loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameter of the memory device by selecting FRAM technology instead of conventional EEPROM or flash memory. FRAM's ferroelectric properties enable it to withstand gamma radiation sterilization without data loss, allowing disposable instruments to be sterilized and reused while maintaining safety standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where instruments are marked with unique identifiers and sterilization history in FRAM memory. The system automatically detects sterilized instruments and prevents their reuse, enabling recovery and proper disposal tracking while allowing safe reuse of sterilizable instruments
2Measurement precision
If RFID tags with conventional memory are used, then instrument identification is improved, but data retention after gamma radiation sterilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the memory technology parameter from conventional EEPROM or flash memory to FRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory). This parameter change enables the memory to retain data after gamma radiation sterilization, as FRAM's ferroelectric structure is not affected by radiation unlike conventional memory types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of gamma radiation sterilization into a benefit by using FRAM memory, which is specifically designed to withstand radiation. The radiation that would normally destroy conventional memory data actually serves to sterilize the instrument while the FRAM memory preserves the identification and history data intact
3Reliability
If FRAM memory is integrated into the cable connecting coupling, then instrument identification and tracking are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the FRAM memory device with the cable's connecting coupling component. By integrating the memory into the plug assembly that already exists on the cable, the system achieves reliable instrument identification without adding separate complex memory units, thus minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical instrument (10), in particular an electrosurgical instrument. According to the invention, the surgical instrument (10) is equipped with a FRAM storage device (20) for individually recognising or detecting the surgical instrument (10). The invention further relates to a use of FRAM storage device (20).