RFID Tag Orientation Detection Through Sterile Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic surgical systems face challenges in identifying and determining the orientation of surgical instruments attached behind a sterile barrier, which is essential for accurate camera view translation and hand movement correspondence during minimally invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with a toroidal wire coil and pot core on surgical instruments and an RFID reader with a similar configuration on the surgical robot, allowing for reliable identification and orientation determination through RF energy modulation and transmission, even in electrically noisy environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterile barrier is placed between the robotic manipulator and surgical instrument, then sterility is maintained, but RFID signal transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sterile adapter as an intermediary component that bridges the sterile and non-sterile sides of the barrier. The adapter includes a sterile barrier portion that maintains sterility while containing RFID reader and antenna components that can communicate with RFID tags on instruments through the barrier, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of sterility maintenance and signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact and traditional wireless communication (which cannot penetrate the sterile barrier) with an RFID-based electromagnetic field system. The RFID reader and antenna generate electromagnetic fields that can penetrate the sterile barrier to communicate with RFID tags on the surgical instruments, substituting mechanical or conventional wireless systems with electromagnetic field-based communication.
2Loss of information
If RFID tag is placed on surgical instrument behind sterile barrier, then identification is enabled, but signal strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components into an integrated RFID reader assembly that includes the reader circuit, antenna, and sterile barrier in a single unit. This integration allows for optimized positioning and coupling of the antenna with the RFID tag, improving signal strength and energy efficiency while maintaining sterility through the integrated barrier design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the frequency, power, and modulation characteristics of the RFID system to optimize signal penetration through the sterile barrier. The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters to maintain reliable communication while minimizing energy consumption and maximizing signal strength across the barrier.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments can be attached in different orientations, then versatility is improved, but orientation detection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetry by providing RFID tags with asymmetric antenna configurations or multiple RFID tags at different positions on the instrument. The asymmetric arrangement creates unique signal characteristics for each orientation, enabling the system to distinguish between different instrument orientations based on the received signal patterns from the RFID reader.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an angular or rotational dimension to the identification system by detecting the orientation of the instrument relative to the robotic manipulator. The system measures not only the presence of the instrument but also its angular position, thereby transforming a one-dimensional detection problem into a two-dimensional solution that includes both position and orientation information.
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 reliable and accurate identification and orientation determination of surgical instruments, maintaining system awareness and appropriate camera view translation despite the presence of a sterile barrier and potential electrical interference.
Implementation Method 1
a second toroidal wire coil that fits within the second pot core half and is electrically coupled to the transceiver circuit to transmit RF energy
Implementation Method 2
electrically coupled to the RFID circuit assembly to modulate received radio frequency (RF) energy
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is embedded on a surgical instrument and a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader is provided on a surgical robot to allow identification of the attached surgical instrument. The RFID tag includes an RFID circuit assembly, a first pot core half, and a first toroidal wire coil that fits within the first pot core half and is electrically coupled to the RFID circuit assembly to modulate received radio frequency (RF) energy. The RFID reader includes an RFID transceiver circuit, a second pot core half, and a second toroidal wire coil that fits within the second pot core half and is electrically coupled to the transceiver circuit to transmit RF energy and receive modulated RF energy from the first wire coil only when the first pot core half is substantially aligned with and proximate to the second pot core half.