Surgical Cable Assembly with Integrated Electrical Measurement Indication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices lack an effective system for indicating electrical activity, such as voltage, current, or power, within electrosurgical instruments, which is essential for safe and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A cable system with a circuit containing a voltage sensor, current sensor, and processing device, housed in a non-conductive material, that exposes active conductors and includes an indicator to provide real-time electrical measurement feedback, allowing for safe operation and fault detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical measurement indication is added to surgical devices, then operational safety and fault detection are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indication system is nested within the existing cable assembly structure. The housing, sensors, and indicator components are integrated into the cable's internal architecture, allowing the measurement indication function to be incorporated without adding external components or significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: power transmission, signal transmission, and electrical measurement indication. By making the cable multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated devices for measurement, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If sensors and processing devices are integrated into the cable, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is divided into functional segments: the housing section containing sensors and processing devices, and the conductor sections for power and signal transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately before final assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves as an intermediary structure that houses and protects the sensors and processing devices. This intermediary component facilitates the integration of sensitive measurement equipment into the cable assembly without requiring complex direct integration methods, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
3Loss of information
If real-time electrical measurement indication is provided, then operational awareness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator provides electrical measurement information through periodic updates rather than continuous display. The processing device samples electrical parameters at intervals and updates the indicator accordingly, maintaining operational awareness while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by indicating electrical measurements only when relevant changes occur or at scheduled intervals. The processing device monitors electrical parameters and triggers indicator updates based on predefined thresholds or time intervals, providing necessary operational awareness while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from continuous indication.
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
The system effectively indicates electrical measurements within the cable, enabling safer electrosurgical procedures by providing immediate feedback on the instrument's state, ensuring safe operation and detecting potential faults.
Implementation Method 1
A cable system with a circuit containing a voltage sensor, current sensor, and processing device
Implementation Method 2
A cable system with a circuit containing a voltage sensor, current sensor, and processing device
Data Source
AI summary
A cable assembly and methods for indicating an electrical measurement in an electrosurgical instrument are disclosed. The assembly has a circuit having a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a processing device operatively coupled to the at least one active conductor. The assembly also has a substantially electrically non-conductive housing enclosing the circuit and a portion of at least one active conductor, and exposing a contact portion of the at least one active conductor, the at least one active conductor configured to conduct power to an electrosurgical instrument. The assembly also has an indicator operatively coupled to the processing device.