Surgical Instrument Activation Surface with Resistive Capacitive Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic surgical devices face challenges such as surgeon distraction and leg fatigue due to the need to operate a foot pedal for power activation, lack of sensory feedback indicating active states, and potential unintentional activation of capacitive switches, particularly in delicate procedures like plastic surgery.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a handpiece with integrated control and activation surfaces that provide tactile feedback and precise energy level selection through resistive and capacitive sensing technologies, allowing for intuitive and controlled ultrasonic energy application without the need for a foot pedal, and includes features to differentiate between intentional and unintentional activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foot pedal is used for power activation, then the surgeon's hands are free to manipulate the instrument, but the surgeon experiences distraction and leg fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the power activation function with the handpiece itself, integrating the activation surface directly into the grip area. This merging eliminates the need for a separate foot pedal, allowing surgeons to activate power using hand/finger movements on the handpiece while maintaining hand freedom and avoiding leg fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an activation surface with resistive and capacitive sensing technologies as an intermediary between the surgeon's hand and the power activation system. This intermediary enables precise control through tactile feedback while eliminating the need for foot pedal operation.
2Speed
If conventional capacitive switches are used for activation, then the activation response is immediate, but unintentional activation may occur from fluid spill or surface contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameters by combining resistive sensing (requiring pressure) with capacitive sensing (detecting finger proximity). This dual-parameter approach ensures that activation occurs only when both conditions are met, preventing accidental activation from fluid spill or unintended surface contact while maintaining immediate response when intentionally activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates tactile feedback through the resistive sensing mechanism, which provides sensory confirmation to the surgeon that activation has occurred. This feedback loop enhances reliability by ensuring the surgeon can distinguish between intentional and unintentional activation attempts.
3Device complexity
If no sensory feedback is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the surgeon lacks indication of active states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates tactile feedback through the resistive sensing mechanism, which provides sensory confirmation to the surgeon that activation has occurred. This feedback loop enhances reliability by ensuring the surgeon can distinguish between intentional and unintentional activation attempts.
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
Enhances surgical precision and reduces fatigue by allowing surgeons to focus on the procedure with improved tactile feedback and controlled energy delivery, minimizing the risk of unintentional activations during delicate surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
resistive and capacitive sensing technologies
Implementation Method 2
resistive and capacitive sensing technologies
Implementation Method 3
Capacitive actuation occurs when a sensor recognizes a change in the dielectric constant of its immediate environment
Implementation Method 4
Vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade may denature protein in the tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
An exemplary surgical instrument comprises a handpiece, an end effector, and an activation and control feature that is operable to selectively activate an end effector and select an energy level for the end effector. One version of the activation and control feature includes a "floating" button feature where activation and control is accomplished based on the displacement of the button from a home position. In some versions the activation and control feature is sealed within the handpiece, but controllable by the user's touch with the handpiece. The sealed configuration can allow the handpiece to be sterilizable, e.g., using steam sterilization. The activation and control feature may comprise capacitive switches, resistive sensors, resonant cavity switching technology, infrared sensing technology, technology that uses a resonant standing wave on a surface that is perturbed by the presence of a finger, and/or any other suitable type of technology.