Modular Energy System for Surgical Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating rooms are cluttered with numerous devices and equipment, leading to inefficiencies due to the need for multiple specialized machines, each with unique interfaces and operation techniques, resulting in increased complexity and reduced staff efficiency during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A modular energy system comprising interchangeable modules with a unified control and data bus architecture, allowing for customizable configurations and streamlined user interfaces, which integrates various surgical functions into a single system to reduce equipment footprint and enhance operational efficiency.
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 equipment footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system employs a universal capital equipment platform that can perform multiple surgical functions through interchangeable modules. The system includes a common control unit, display unit, and power supply that can support different surgical modules (e.g., electrosurgical, ultrasonic, advanced energy modules), allowing one base system to replace multiple specialized devices while maintaining functional versatility across different surgical procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical system is divided into modular components including a base platform and interchangeable functional modules. Each module can be attached or detached from the common control unit, allowing the system to be configured for specific surgical tasks without requiring entirely separate equipment. This segmentation enables functional versatility while reducing overall equipment footprint
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different capital equipment devices are deployed, then functional capabilities are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple unique interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a unified user interface and common control unit that remains consistent across different surgical modules. Whether using electrosurgical, ultrasonic, or advanced energy functions, the operator interacts with the same display, controls, and software interface, eliminating the need to learn multiple different equipment interfaces while maintaining access to diverse surgical capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple previously separate control interfaces into a single unified control unit. The common display, control panel, and software interface consolidate functions that were previously distributed across multiple independent devices, creating a single point of control that simplifies operation while providing access to multiple surgical modalities
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized devices are used, then functional coverage is improved, but loss of time increases due to staff needing to learn and interact with multiple unique interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The unified system allows surgical staff to operate all surgical modalities through a single learned interface. The common control unit and standardized software reduce training requirements compared to operating multiple separate devices, while the modular architecture ensures comprehensive functional coverage across different surgical procedures
Solution Approach 2:
By combining multiple device interfaces into one unified system, the patent reduces the total time required for staff training and device interaction. The consolidated control unit and standardized操作流程 (operational procedures) eliminate redundant learning curves associated with multiple different equipment interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A modular energy system for use in a surgical environment includes a plurality of functional modules including at least an initial module, a functional module, and a terminal module. Each of the plurality of modules has a module control circuit, and a local data bus. An internal data bus is composed of a serial array of the local data busses of the modules. The local data bus may includes a communication switch, a first switch data path between the communication switch and the module control circuit, a second switch data path in communication with the communication switch, and a third switch data path in communication with the communication switch. The third switch data path of a module N is in communication with a second switch data path of a module N+1. The system further includes a termination unit in communication with the third data path of the terminal module.