Segmented Power Backplane for Modular Surgical Energy Stacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating rooms are cluttered with numerous devices requiring unique techniques and interfaces, leading to inefficiencies and increased equipment footprint, as existing surgical systems are not modular or interconnected, hindering staff efficiency and procedural streamline.
Innovation Solution
A modular surgical system comprising a header module, power supply, and segmented power backplane, allowing for stackable and detachable configurations of surgical modules to consolidate equipment, streamline interfaces, and efficiently transmit power, thereby reducing device interactions and clutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent surgical devices are used to perform different surgical tasks, then functional versatility is improved, but equipment footprint and clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent surgical devices into a single integrated surgical hub that can accommodate various surgical modules (electrosurgical, ultrasonic, advanced energy, robotic). This consolidation reduces the number of separate capital equipment pieces in the operating room while maintaining all necessary surgical functions through modular attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical hub is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple surgical functions through different modules. The hub provides a common power supply, control system, and user interface that supports electrosurgical generators, ultrasonic generators, advanced energy modules, and robotic systems, eliminating the need for separate dedicated equipment for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each surgical device has its own power supply, then device independence is improved, but system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from individual surgical modules and consolidates it into a central power supply within the surgical hub. This allows modules to be simplified without independent power systems while maintaining their functional independence through modular connectivity to the hub.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments functionality into modular components (different surgical modules) that can be independently selected and attached to the hub, while sharing common infrastructure (power supply, control system). This segmentation allows device independence at the functional level without requiring independent power systems for each module.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices with unique interfaces are used, then specialized functionality is improved, but staff efficiency decreases due to increased interaction complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical hub provides a universal user interface and control system that manages all surgical modules through a single streamlined interaction point. Surgical staff interact with one consistent interface regardless of which module is active, eliminating the need to learn and switch between multiple unique device interfaces while maintaining access to specialized functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple unique device interfaces into a single unified user interface at the surgical hub. This consolidation allows surgical staff to control electrosurgical, ultrasonic, advanced energy, and robotic functions through one consistent interaction paradigm, reducing cognitive load and improving efficiency during procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular surgical system is disclosed includes a header module including a power supply, a first surgical module, a second surgical module, and a segmented power backplane. The first surgical module is arrangeable in a stack configuration with the header module and the second surgical module. The segmented power backplane includes a first backplane segment in the header module, a second backplane segment in the first surgical module, and a third backplane segment in the second surgical module. The second backplane segment is detachably coupled to the first backplane segment in the stack configuration and the third backplane segment is detachably coupled to the second backplane segment in the stack configuration. The first backplane segment, the second backplane segment, and the third backplane segment are configured to cooperate to transmit energy from the power supply to the second surgical module in the stack configuration.