Surgical Instrument Authentication Bus Demultiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical systems face challenges in efficiently and effectively transmitting information between various components, particularly in confirming the usage status and configuration of surgical loading units and adapters.
Innovation Solution
A communication protocol utilizing microprocessors and microchips to demultiplex transmit and receive lines, authenticate components, and control data transmission over a bus, eliminating the need for multiple buses and enhancing data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple buses are used to transmit information from various components, then data transmission capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate communication buses into a single shared bus system. The microcontroller unit (MCU) communicates with multiple components (authentication chip, usage counter, configuration memory) through one bus, eliminating the need for separate dedicated buses for each component. This merging reduces the overall bus structure complexity while maintaining adequate data transmission capacity through time-division multiplexing and protocol management.
Solution Approach 2:
The single bus system is designed to be universal, handling multiple functions including authentication data transmission, usage counter reading/writing, configuration parameter communication, and system control signals. The bus protocol is configured to accommodate different data types and communication modes, making it a multi-functional communication infrastructure that replaces multiple specialized buses.
2Reliability
If authentication chips are integrated in each component, then component authentication accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication functionality from a distributed model where each component has its own authentication chip, and consolidates it into a centralized authentication chip located in the loading unit. The handle assembly's MCU performs authentication by communicating with this single external authentication chip, rather than each component having embedded authentication hardware. This reduces microchip integration complexity while maintaining authentication accuracy through a dedicated authentication module.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication chip acts as an intermediary between the loading unit components and the handle assembly's control system. It receives authentication requests from the MCU, verifies the loading unit's identity and status, and returns authentication results. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single point of authentication rather than requiring each component to have independent authentication capabilities.
3Device complexity
If a single bus is used for communication, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic communication cycles on the single bus, where the MCU sequentially initiates transactions with different components (authentication chip, usage counter, configuration memory). Each component is accessed in a structured sequence, with the bus switching between master and slave modes periodically. This periodic action prevents data conflicts and ensures efficient utilization of the shared bus resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus system is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing the communication mode and data flow direction to change based on operational requirements. The MCU can dynamically switch between reading authentication data, writing usage counters, and configuring parameters. The bus protocol adapts to different transaction types, optimizing data transmission efficiency for each specific operation while maintaining a simple single-bus structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An authentication and information system for use in a surgical stapling system includes a microprocessor configured to demultiplex data from a plurality of components in the surgical system. The authentication and information system can include one wire chips and a coupling assembly with a communication connection.