Inductively Powered End of Life Indicator for Robotic Surgical Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) instruments have limited lifespans and conventional indicators that rely on tool drivers decrease functionality, making them difficult to recognize as expired, leading to accidental reuse and procedural delays.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tool that harvests power wirelessly from a robotic manipulator via inductive coupling and features a visual indicator, such as an LED, electro-chromic, or photo-chromic indicator, to signal the end of life without utilizing the tool driver, ensuring easy recognition and preventing reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical indicators are used to indicate end of life, then the indicator function is provided, but the tool driver functionality is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator function is extracted from the tool driver system by implementing a separate inductively powered indicator circuit. This allows the indicator to operate independently without consuming tool driver resources, resolving the contradiction between providing reliable end-of-life indication and maintaining full tool driver functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive coupling system serves multiple functions: it provides power to the indicator, enables communication between the tool and robotic system, and maintains tool driver operations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the system versatile enough to handle both indication and tool operation simultaneously.
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical indicators are used, then the indicator is provided, but the indicator is not easily recognized leading to accidental reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indicators that change color or illuminate to signal end of life status. This makes the indicator easily recognizable and visible to sterilization workers, preventing accidental reuse of expired instruments while maintaining reliable indication.
3Reliability
If tool drivers are used to power indicators, then the indicator function is achieved, but procedural delays occur due to missed expiration detection
Solution Approach 1:
The inductively powered indicator provides advance warning of tool expiration before the tool is actually used in surgery. This preliminary indication allows sterilization workers to identify and separate expired tools in advance, preventing last-minute discoveries that would cause procedural delays.
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
The solution allows for efficient indication of tool expiration without affecting the tool's functionality, reducing the risk of accidental reuse and minimizing procedural delays by providing a clear visual signal that the tool has reached the end of its life.
Implementation Method 1
a first conductor of the surgical tool is inductively coupled with a corresponding second conductor of the robotic manipulator to thereby generate power in the first conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool harvests power from a robotic surgical system having one or more robotic manipulators when a housing of the surgical tool is installed within a carriage of one of the robotic manipulators. The surgical tool harvests power via inductive coupling between an inductor of the surgical tool and a corresponding inductor of the carriage. The surgical tool may include an indicator that provides a user with an indication of remaining life of the surgical tool. The indicator may be an LED indicator that is illuminated with power generated via the inductive coupling. The indicator may also be an electro-chromic indicator that changes color when exposed to power generated via the inductive coupling. The indicator may also be a photo-chromic indicator that changes color when exposed to light from a light source powered via the inductive coupling.