Isolated Interface Circuit for Reliable Surgical Energy Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating rooms are cluttered with numerous devices and suffer from inefficient workflows due to the need for multiple specialized equipment pieces, each with unique interfaces and techniques, leading to complexity and inefficiency in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A modular energy system with an isolated interface circuit that includes comparators, expander circuits, and a controller to manage and consolidate the activation of surgical instruments, reducing the number of devices needed and improving communication reliability in the OR environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized capital equipment devices are used to perform different surgical tasks, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and OR clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical energy system is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple surgical tasks through different attachments. The system includes an electrosurgical generator, ultrasonic generator, and bipolar RF generator that can be selectively activated based on which surgical instrument is connected, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized equipment pieces while maintaining functional versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple capital equipment functions into a single integrated system. The electrosurgical, ultrasonic, and bipolar RF capabilities are merged into one platform with a common user interface and control system, reducing the number of separate devices needed in the operating room while providing comprehensive surgical energy options
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized capital equipment devices with unique interfaces are used, then functional versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple unique techniques and interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal user interface that works across all surgical energy modalities. Whether the surgeon is using electrosurgical, ultrasonic, or bipolar RF instruments, the same touchscreen interface and control mechanisms are used, eliminating the need to learn multiple unique interfaces and techniques while maintaining access to diverse surgical capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on which instrument is connected. The controller automatically configures the system settings and available functions based on the detected instrument type, providing a consistent and simplified interface regardless of which surgical modality is being used, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility
3Ease of operation
If accessory activation signals are transmitted without isolation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous signals causing erroneous activation
Solution Approach 1:
An isolator circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the footswitch accessory and the surgical energy system. This isolator receives activation signals from the footswitch and conditionally passes them to the controller based on system state validation, preventing erroneous signals from causing unintended activation while maintaining the simplicity of footswitch operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors system state and communicates with the isolator to validate whether an incoming activation signal should be processed. This feedback loop ensures that only appropriate signals under correct system conditions trigger activation, improving reliability without adding complexity to the user interface
4Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used in OR environment, then ease of operation and reduced clutter are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to signal interference and blocking
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication management system acts as an intermediary layer between the wireless footswitch and the surgical energy system. This intermediary handles signal processing, error detection, and retransmission protocols to overcome OR environment interference, maintaining reliable communication while preserving the wireless convenience and reducing cable clutter
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an isolated interface circuit for a modular energy system. A comparator is configured to couple to a switch and a reference voltage, and an output. A duplicate comparator is configured to couple to the switch and the reference voltage. An expander circuit is coupled to the comparator and the duplicate comparator. An isolator circuit is coupled to the expander circuit. A controller is coupled to the isolator circuit. The controller is configured to compare the output of the comparator with the output of the duplicate comparator and determine activation or deactivation of a surgical instrument coupled to the controller based on the comparison.