Inductive Power Transfer for Surgical Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments often require bulky self-contained energy sources like batteries for accessory devices, which occupy space and have limited energy storage, necessitating removal or repositioning during procedures, thereby inhibiting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument system with a power supply and an accessory that utilizes inductive coupling between a first induction device within the instrument and a second induction device in the accessory, allowing for efficient power transfer without the need for physical batteries, using wound wires to produce a voltage output that increases with the number of windings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-contained energy sources like batteries are used in accessory devices, then the accessory device has independent power supply capability, but the accessory device occupies valuable space and has limited energy storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply function from the accessory device into the surgical instrument. The instrument's housing contains a power supply that electrically couples to the accessory device when attached, eliminating the need for separate batteries in the accessory device while maintaining independent power supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the battery from the accessory device and relocates it to the surgical instrument's housing. This extraction removes the bulky energy source from the moving accessory component while preserving the power supply function in the stationary or less mobile instrument portion.
2Reliability
If self-contained energy sources like batteries are used in accessory devices, then the accessory device has independent power supply capability, but the energy storage capacity is limited requiring removal or repositioning during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power supply into the surgical instrument's housing, allowing for a larger capacity battery or multiple power sources in the instrument rather than in each accessory. This merging enables extended operational duration without requiring accessory removal or repositioning during surgical procedures.
3Reliability
If batteries are installed in accessory devices, then the accessory device can operate independently, but the device complexity increases due to battery installation and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery from the accessory device and places it in the surgical instrument's housing. This extraction simplifies the accessory device structure, eliminating battery compartments, connections, and maintenance requirements from the accessory while centralizing power management in the instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply in the instrument's housing automatically provides electrical coupling to the accessory device when attached, eliminating the need for manual battery installation or replacement in the accessory. The system self-manages power distribution without user intervention.
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 efficient power delivery to surgical accessories like cameras and illumination devices without adding bulk, reducing the need for battery changes during procedures and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The accessory includes a second induction device that is inductively coupled with the first induction device when the accessory is operably coupled to the surgical instrument such that the power supply provides power to the accessory
Implementation Method 2
One or both of the first electrical conduit and second electrical conduit includes one or more wires that are at least partially wound a predetermined number of windings about the respective first and second induction devices. The one or more wires produce a voltage output when the second power supply is electrically coupled to the first induction device, wherein the amount of voltage output increases as the number of windings of the one or more wires increases.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument system includes a surgical instrument, a power supply, and an accessory. The surgical instrument has a first induction device positioned therein. The power supply is electrically coupled to the first induction device. The accessory is selectively operably couplable to the surgical instrument. The accessory includes a second induction device that is inductively coupled with the first induction device when the accessory is operably coupled to the surgical instrument such that the power supply provides power to the accessory.