Network Electrosurgical Device Activation Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic surgical systems face delays in activating peripheral devices due to latency in communication protocols, necessitating an improved communication protocol for interconnecting peripheral devices with robotic surgical systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for remote control of an electrosurgical device over a network, involving transmitting an activation request, activating the device, starting a timer, and deactivating the device based on timer expiration or a deactivation request, while maintaining electrosurgical energy output within predetermined network delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If standard communication protocols are used to connect peripheral devices with robotic surgical systems, then device interconnection is achieved, but activation delays occur due to network latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice activation speedVSAvoidnetwork latency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a direct communication channel between the electrosurgical device and robotic surgical system before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary setup allows the device to be pre-configured and ready for instantaneous activation without waiting for standard network communication delays during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated communication interface or intermediary component is introduced between the electrosurgical device and the robotic surgical system to bypass standard network protocols. This intermediary enables direct, low-latency signal transmission for device activation and control commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If remote control over network is implemented, then operational flexibility is improved, but control reliability decreases due to network delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple communication channels: a primary low-latency channel for critical activation and control signals, and a secondary standard network channel for non-critical data transmission and monitoring. This segmentation ensures that remote control operations maintain high reliability by isolating time-sensitive commands from network traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication parameters are dynamically adjusted based on the operational state. During active electrosurgical procedures, the system switches to high-priority, low-latency communication modes with adjusted timing parameters and protocol settings to ensure reliable real-time control responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250169903A1Systems and methods for network based electrosurgical device activation

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A method for remote control of an electrosurgical device over a network is provided. The method including transmitting an activation request from a remote device to an electrosurgical device over a network, activating the electrosurgical device to output electrosurgical energy in response to receiving the activation request, starting a timer in response to receiving the activation request, and deactivating the electrosurgical device in response to at least one of the timer exceeding a predetermined time value or receiving a deactivation request from the remote device.