RFID-Linked HF Cable for Reliable Surgical Instrument Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical high-frequency (HF) instruments connected via separable or replaceable cables cannot be clearly identified and operated due to the lack of a reliable communication system, leading to potential misuse or incorrect operation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical HF device with an HF generator and RFID reading units, along with HF cables equipped with RF transmission devices, allows for clear identification and operation of HF instruments by establishing a communication link between RFID transponders on the instruments and the generator via separable cables, using RF transmission devices with wired or wireless connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separable or replaceable cables are used to connect HF instruments to the HF generator, then ease of operation and instrument versatility are improved, but reliable identification and operation control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable connection system with RFID communication functionality by integrating an RFID transponder into the cable assembly. This merging allows the cable to serve dual purposes: electrical connection and identification, thereby maintaining ease of connection while improving identification reliability through the combined system.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID transponder acts as an intermediary element between the separable cable connection and the HF generator. It enables reliable identification and communication without compromising the mechanical separability of the cable connection, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of connection and identification reliability.
2Loss of information
If RFID tags are embedded in instrument handles, then identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RFID transponder from the instrument handle and relocates it to the cable assembly. This extraction simplifies the instrument structure by removing the need to embed RFID tags in the handle, while maintaining identification capability through the cable-based RFID system that communicates with the HF generator.
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
Enables precise identification and operation of HF instruments, ensuring compatibility and safe usage parameters, even with modular instruments, by logging usage data and preventing incorrect operation.
Implementation Method 1
The HF cable (2, 2') provides an RF transmission device (21', 21'') which is configured to transmit an RF field generated by the RFID reading unit (33) assigned to the HF socket (32)
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical HF device (4) and method identify and operate surgical HF instruments (1, 1′). The surgical HF device includes a surgical HF instrument and an HF generator (3) which has a HF socket (32) for connecting the HF instrument. A RFID reading unit (33) is assigned to the HF socket. The HF instrument has a RFID transponder tag (15, 15). The HF device has a HF cable (2, 2′) with an instrument-side connection device (24) for separable connection to the HF instrument. A generator-side plug connector (22) has a separable connection to the HF socket. The HF cable provides an RF transmission device (21′, 21″) to transmit an RF field generated by the RFID reading unit as a communications connection between the RFID transponder tag and the RFID reading unit which is assigned to the HF socket, which is separably connected to the HF instrument by the HF cable.