Electrosurgical Generator Heartbeat Scheduling for Lower Bus Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electro surgical generators face challenges in ensuring high safety levels while avoiding communication network overload, particularly in distributed systems, where frequent component checks for malfunctions can lead to excessive communication traffic and bus load, risking delayed user interactions and potential tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where each module in the electro surgical generator communicates at an individual repetition frequency, adjusted based on its safety relevance and operational state, with a centralized communication module controlling and varying these frequencies to manage network load and ensure timely detection of malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If frequent heartbeat checks are implemented to detect malfunctions within the failure tolerance time, then safety level is improved, but communication traffic and bus load increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety levelVSAvoidcommunication traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent assigns different heartbeat frequencies to different modules based on their safety relevance. Critical modules (inverter, socket) use higher frequencies (e.g., 10 Hz) while less critical modules (display, input) use lower frequencies (e.g., 1 Hz). This local differentiation maintains safety for critical components while reducing overall communication traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heartbeat frequency of each module is dynamically adjusted based on its operational state. When a module is in a critical state (e.g., delivering high frequency energy), its heartbeat frequency increases to enable faster malfunction detection. When in standby or safe states, the frequency decreases to reduce communication load. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between safety and communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If all modules send data frequently within the failure tolerance timeframe, then malfunction detection speed is improved, but user interaction responsiveness deteriorates due to communication overload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalfunction detection speedVSAvoiduser interaction responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different modules transmit heartbeat data at different frequencies tailored to their functional importance. Critical modules maintaining high transmission rates for rapid malfunction detection, while non-critical modules use lower rates. This selective approach ensures fast detection where needed without overwhelming the communication bus and affecting user interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic heartbeat transmissions with variable periods for different modules. Instead of continuous high-frequency transmission from all modules, each module transmits periodically at its assigned frequency. This periodic action with differentiation maintains detection capability while allowing communication bandwidth to handle user interactions smoothly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Power

If high frequency energy is delivered to ensure effective electrosurgical operation, then surgical effectiveness is improved, but risk of tissue damage increases if malfunction occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh frequency energy outputVSAvoidtissue damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the operational state of critical modules (inverter, socket) before and during high frequency energy delivery. By checking heartbeat signals and operational parameters in advance and in real-time, the system can detect malfunctions before they cause tissue damage. This preliminary and continuous monitoring enables early intervention to prevent harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of module operational states during high frequency energy delivery. Heartbeat signals from critical modules provide real-time feedback on their health status. If a malfunction is detected through missed or abnormal heartbeat signals, the control unit can immediately interrupt energy delivery, creating a feedback loop that prevents tissue damage while allowing effective surgical operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4389037B1Electro surgical generator and method for operating an electro surgical generator

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an electro surgical generator for controlling electro surgical instruments connected to the electro surgical generator, and the electro surgical generator comprises a plurality of interconnected regular modules, the plurality of interconnected regular modules comprising at least one socket module for connecting the electro surgical instrument, and at least one first inverter module for generating a feed signal for providing a high frequency energy for at least one electro surgical instrument connected to the socket module, wherein each regular module communicates at least with another regular module or with a communication module, each regular module is sending a communication frame at an individual repetition frequency and the individual repetition frequency of each regular module is different to the repetition frequencies of at least one, a plurality or all of the other regular modules.