Slip Ring Assembly for Rotating Ultrasonic Surgical Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical instruments face challenges in maintaining electrical connectivity during rotation of ultrasonic transducers, leading to potential twisting and binding of cables and wires, which can disrupt the delivery of ultrasonic energy for tissue cutting and coagulation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of rotatable electrical coupling assemblies, such as nodal flanged transducers and pancake slip ring connectors, that allow for 360-degree rotation of the transducer while maintaining electrical connection through nodal flanges, bridges, and slip rings, preventing cable twisting and ensuring continuous power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable connections are used to power ultrasonic transducers during rotation, then electrical connectivity can be maintained, but cable twisting and binding occur that disrupt ultrasonic energy delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into multiple independent slip rings that rotate with the transducer assembly. Each slip ring maintains electrical contact through a rotating interface, dividing the continuous cable into a stationary supply side and a rotating transducer side, thereby preventing cable twisting and binding while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity for ultrasonic energy delivery
Solution Approach 2:
Slip rings serve as an intermediary rotating electrical connector between the stationary power supply and the rotating ultrasonic transducer. This intermediary component allows rotational movement while maintaining continuous electrical contact through a sliding interface, eliminating the harmful cable twisting and binding that would occur with traditional direct cable connections
2Reliability
If the transducer is fixed in position to maintain stable electrical connection, then power supply stability is improved, but rotation of the end effector is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic rotating connection using slip rings. The slip rings rotate together with the transducer assembly, allowing the end effector to rotate freely for surgical manipulation while the slip rings maintain continuous electrical contact through their rotating interface, thus preserving both power supply stability and operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The slip ring assembly acts as a dynamic intermediary that rotates with the transducer, mediating between the stationary power supply and the rotating end effector. This intermediary enables full rotational movement for surgical ease of operation while maintaining stable electrical connectivity through the rotating slip ring interface
3Ease of operation
If the transducer rotates freely for surgical positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but electrical connection reliability deteriorates due to cable stress
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection is segmented into a stationary cable portion and a rotating slip ring portion. The slip rings are directly coupled to the transducer assembly and rotate with it, allowing free rotation for surgical positioning while the stationary cable remains untwisted. This segmentation prevents cable stress and maintains electrical connection reliability throughout the full range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic rotating slip ring connections that move with the transducer assembly during rotation for end effector positioning. This dynamic connection allows unrestricted rotational movement for surgical ease of operation while maintaining continuous reliable electrical contact through the rotating slip ring interface, preventing the electrical connection failures that would occur with static cable arrangements
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 seamless rotation of the end effector and transducer without disengaging from the power supply, ensuring consistent ultrasonic energy delivery for precise tissue cutting and coagulation with reduced mechanical stress on the instrument.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of piezoelectric elements may be disposed between the first and second electrodes
Implementation Method 2
rotatable electrical coupling assemblies, such as nodal flanged transducers and pancake slip ring connectors, that allow for 360-degree rotation of the transducer while maintaining electrical connection
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a rotatable electrical coupling assembly having a first part and a second part that electrically couple and rotate relative to each other. The second part is carried by and rotates with a tube collar coupled to a transducer. A portion of the transducer is inserted through an aperture of the second part, but does not contact the second part. The first part of the assembly may electrically couple to the second part via pogo pins, brush contacts, or ball bearings. Alternatively, the first part may comprise conductive channels formed in the casing. The second part may comprise a rotatable drum with a conductive trace. In some versions, one or more components may comprise MID components. In another version, the rotatable electrical coupling assembly comprises a rotatable PC board and brush contact. Further still, a circuit board may be provided with the transducer inside a transducer casing.