Magnetic Sensing in Surgical Instruments With Rotating User Inputs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robotic laparoscopes and surgical instruments have an unwieldy length due to a separate user interface attached to the instrument shaft, making them difficult to handle and sterilize using standardized processes, and lack accurate detection of user inputs.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument design that integrates user inputs, such as buttons, directly into the tool drive adapter, with sensors sealed within the instrument shaft to detect input positions, allowing rotation and sterilization without a separate user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate user interface is attached to the end of the instrument shaft, then user input detection is enabled, but the overall instrument length increases making it unwieldy and difficult to sterilize

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input detectionVSAvoidoverall instrument length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the user interface with the tool drive adapter by integrating buttons and sensors directly into the adapter structure. This eliminates the need for a separate user interface component attached to the instrument shaft, thereby reducing the overall instrument length while maintaining user input detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent places the user interface components (buttons and sensors) within the tool drive adapter structure. The sensors are positioned inside the adapter housing, allowing the user interface to be nested within the existing adapter volume rather than extending additional length from the instrument shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a separate user interface is attached to the instrument shaft, then user input detection is enabled, but the instrument becomes difficult to sterilize using standardized processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser input detectionVSAvoidsterilization process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the user interface with the tool drive adapter, the patent creates a single integrated component that can be sterilized together with the adapter using standardized processes. This eliminates the complexity of sterilizing separate components and ensures complete sterilization of all user interface elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool drive adapter is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical drive transmission, houses the user interface buttons, and contains the sensors for input detection. This multi-functional design allows the adapter to be sterilized as a single unit while maintaining all its functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the instrument shaft rotates relative to the user interface, then operational flexibility is improved, but accurate detection of user inputs becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational flexibilityVSAvoiduser input detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical connection methods (such as shafts or linkages) with magnetic coupling between the tool drive adapter and the instrument shaft. The sensors detect user inputs through magnetic fields that penetrate the rotating interface, allowing accurate detection despite relative rotation between the adapter and shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the user interface components in the adapter and the detection system. This magnetic coupling allows signals to be transmitted accurately through the rotating interface, maintaining detection precision while enabling rotational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design reduces the overall instrument length while maintaining operational functionality, enabling easy handling and sterilization, and provides accurate detection of user inputs.

Implementation Method 1

sensors disposed, sealed, or isolated within an instrument shaft to detect the position or state of the user inputs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12588959B2Surgical instrument with magnetic sensing

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 AURIS HEALTH INC

AI summary

A sensor array can detect a position of a magnetic element. The sensor array can include a printed circuit board and a plurality of sensors. The printed circuit board is configured to rotate about a rotation axis and relative to the magnetic element. The plurality of sensors are disposed circumferentially about the rotation axis and coupled to the printed circuit board. At least one sensor is disposed at a selected circumferential position relative to the rotation axis. The sensor is configured to change between an open state and a closed state in response to a change in the position of the magnetic element relative to the rotation axis.