Surgical Console Dongle Passive RF Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing console-based surgical systems face challenges with wireless communication between surgical consoles and control devices, including complex and time-consuming manual pairing processes, which can lead to user frustration and inventory management issues due to hard-paired devices that become inoperable when separated.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a surgical system that uses a dongle with a passive RF device and an RF reader to establish a wireless connection between the control device and the surgical console, allowing for remote control of surgical devices without the need for physical cables, and enabling flexible pairing and inventory management by allowing any dongle to connect with any control device or surgical console.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pairing process is used for wireless communication between control device and surgical console, then wireless communication can be established, but the pairing process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering available surgical consoles and preparing pairing information in advance. When a control device is activated, it automatically displays available consoles and initiates pairing without requiring manual configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The pairing process is designed to be self-service oriented, where the system automatically identifies available consoles, presents pairing options, and completes the connection without requiring manual intervention. The control device automatically manages the pairing process by selecting and connecting to the appropriate surgical console based on displayed information, eliminating the need for complex manual pairing procedures.
2Reliability
If hard-paired devices are used for wireless communication, then secure connection is established, but inventory management becomes difficult when devices are separated
Solution Approach 1:
The pairing system transitions from static hard-paired configurations to dynamic pairable connections. Control devices can be paired with multiple different surgical consoles through automatic discovery and selection, allowing the system to adapt to different operational needs while maintaining secure connections through authentication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is designed with universal pairing capability, allowing it to work with multiple different surgical consoles through the automatic pairing process. This multi-functionality enables a single control device to serve various surgical consoles in different configurations, improving inventory management flexibility while maintaining connection security through the pairing mechanism.
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
This solution simplifies the pairing process, reduces clutter and tripping hazards in the operating room, and enhances inventory management by allowing flexible pairing and use of components, making wireless communication more user-friendly and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
The RF reader receives pairing information from the passive RF device in response to the passive RF device being within a threshold proximity of the RF reader
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical system and a method of operating a surgical system are disclosed herein. The surgical system comprises a surgical console, a control device, and a dongle. The surgical console operates a surgical device and comprises a connection port. The control device communicates with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device. The dongle physically couples to the connection port of the surgical console. The control device comprises a first communication device and a radio frequency (RF) reader, and the dongle comprises a second communication device and a passive RF device. The RF reader receives the pairing information from the passive RF device in response to the passive RF device being with a threshold proximity of the RF reader. The first and second communication devices wirelessly connect based on the pairing information, enabling the control device to wirelessly communicate with the surgical console to remotely control the surgical device.