Surgical Console Connector Illumination System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical machines often suffer from incorrect tool connections, leading to potential patient harm due to passive labeling of connectors, which can result in surgeons using the wrong tool or type of tool, causing unintended injuries.
Innovation Solution
A surgical machine equipped with a device detection mechanism, such as an RFID reader or Bluetooth receiver, and illumination rings that selectively illuminate matching connectors with specific colors, guiding the user to the correct connection based on compatible device information components on the tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If passive labeling is used on connectors, then the machine can work with various tools, but surgeons may use the wrong tool or type of tool causing unintended injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded illumination rings around connectors to visually indicate the correct connector for a specific tool. When a tool is brought near the console, the system illuminates the appropriate connector ring in green to guide the surgeon to the correct connection, preventing wrong-tool connections while maintaining versatility across multiple tool types
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by detecting the presence of a tool via RFID or other detection mechanisms and automatically illuminating the correct connector. This active feedback loop ensures the surgeon receives immediate guidance on which connector to use, improving connection accuracy without limiting adapter versatility
2Reliability
If multiple different connectors are used for different tools, then connection accuracy improves, but device complexity and surgeon confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal adapters that can interface with multiple tool types while maintaining distinct identification features. The illumination system provides the differentiation needed to prevent confusion, allowing the physical connectors to be simplified and more universal while the software/detection layer maintains the necessary distinction between different tool connections
3Ease of manufacture
If passive labeling is used on connectors, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but surgeon error increases leading to patient harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mechanical labeling (stickers, engraved text) with an active electronic illumination system using LEDs and detection mechanisms. This substitution maintains manufacturing simplicity for the physical connectors while adding a low-cost electronic guidance layer that dramatically reduces surgical errors by providing real-time visual feedback on correct connector selection
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
Prevents incorrect tool connections by clearly indicating the appropriate connector through color-coded illumination, reducing the risk of surgical errors and enhancing safety during operations.
Implementation Method 1
A device detection mechanism (such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader antenna, Bluetooth receiver, optical scanner, induction chip reader, etc.) comprising components located in proximity to the plurality of machine connectors
Implementation Method 2
A device detection mechanism (such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader antenna, Bluetooth receiver, optical scanner, induction chip reader, etc.)
Implementation Method 3
Light sources corresponding to the illumination rings are also present, with each light source being integral to or adjacent to the respective illumination ring and each light source being configured to selectively illuminate the respective illumination ring with at least a first color
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical machine comprises multiple machine connectors disposed on its face, and a device detection mechanism located close to the machine connectors. The device detection mechanism is configured to read identification data from device information component when positioned within a predetermined range. A control circuit is configured to: identify, based on a device information read from a device information component brought within the range of the device detection mechanism, a matching machine connector from multiple machine connectors, control a light source corresponding to the matching machine connector to illuminate the corresponding illumination ring with the first color, in response to this identifying, and, control the light source corresponding to each of one or more remaining ones of the machine connectors to provide no illumination or to illuminate the corresponding illumination ring with a second color.