Medical Handle Control Module Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical handles with brushless electric motors face complex assembly, susceptibility to sterilization conditions, and insulation issues between sensor and control components, leading to premature failure and repair needs.
Innovation Solution
Combining the motor sensor system and control/regulating circuit into a single control module, allowing for simplified assembly and enhanced resistance to sterilization conditions by positioning the control module in close proximity to the magnetic element and using a hermetically sealed housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sensor system and control device are arranged at separate locations and connected by lines, then the sensor system can be mounted on the stator, but the design becomes complex and assembly requires multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor system and control device into a single integrated control module. The sensor system is mounted directly on the control device housing, eliminating the need for separate mounting and multiple connection lines. This integration simplifies assembly to a single step while reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If components are cast in resin or encapsulated in hermetically sealed housings to protect from sterilization conditions, then protection from aggressive ambient conditions is improved, but points of admission of lines and cables become weaknesses where leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the sensor system directly onto the control device housing, the patent eliminates the need for separate encapsulation of multiple components. The control device housing itself serves as the protective enclosure, requiring only a single hermetic seal instead of multiple seals at different component interfaces. This reduces leakage points and improves reliability during sterilization.
3Reliability
If the sensor system is connected to the electric motor by casting with resin, then the components are protected, but the insulation of the signal line may melt causing satisfactory functioning to be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent mounts the sensor system directly on the control device housing in close proximity to the magnetic element, eliminating the need for long signal lines that require resin casting for protection. The shortened and integrated signal paths reduce the risk of insulation melting during sterilization while maintaining component protection.
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
Facilitates easier assembly, improves resistance to sterilization, and reduces the risk of component damage, resulting in a more reliable and durable medical handle.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor system for detecting or determining the alignment, i.e., the angle of rotation, of the at least one magnetic element
Data Source
AI summary
A medical handle comprises a drive unit and a control device or circuit for driving a medical tool. The control device or circuit comprises a control and/or regulating circuit for controlling and/or regulating the drive unit, the drive unit comprises at least one magnetic element and a sensor system for determining the alignment of the at least one magnetic element. To achieve simpler assembly and a greater resistance to the ambient conditions that prevail during sterilization in comparison with known handles, the sensor system and the control and/or regulating circuit are combined in a joint control module, and the at least one magnetic element is arranged in the medical handle in such a way that at least a part of the control module can be positioned in the immediate vicinity of the at least one magnetic element and that the sensor system is arranged in the control module in such a way that it can be positioned in the immediate vicinity of the at least one magnetic element.