Capacitive Switch Sensing for Surgical Generator Smoke Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices face challenges in synchronously and reliably activating and deactivating smoke-gas extraction devices with surgical generators, particularly with shield cables, differing acoustic signals, and compatibility issues, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device equipped with a capacitive sensor and switch that measures capacity changes to automatically activate and deactivate functional devices, such as smoke-gas extraction, synchronously with the surgical generator, eliminating the need for additional activation steps and ensuring compatibility across different power ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If inductive current detection is used to activate smoke-gas extraction device, then automatic activation is achieved, but reliability deteriorates with shield cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inductive electrical detection with capacitive sensing technology. The capacitive sensor detects changes in capacitance caused by the user's body when touching the switch, rather than detecting electrical current through inductive coupling. This substitution eliminates the interference problem caused by shield cables, as capacitive coupling is not affected by electromagnetic shielding, thereby maintaining automatic activation while improving reliability.
2Extent of automation
If acoustic sensors are used to detect surgical generator tones, then automatic activation is achieved, but compatibility deteriorates with differing acoustic signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic detection with capacitive sensing. Instead of using microphones to detect acoustic tones emitted by different surgical generators, the system uses a capacitive sensor to detect changes in capacitance when the user touches the switch. This method is universally applicable across different surgical generator models and manufacturers, as it relies on the common human body capacitance effect rather than device-specific acoustic signals, thereby improving compatibility while maintaining automatic activation.
3Loss of time
If direct power connection is used to measure current draw, then synchronous activation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the switch itself serves dual purposes: it is both the user interface for activation and the sensing element for detecting user intent. The capacitive sensor is integrated into the switch structure, eliminating the need for separate sensing devices or complex power connection measurements. When the user touches the switch, the capacitance change directly triggers both the surgical generator and the smoke-gas extraction device, achieving synchronous activation while simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Ease of operation
If manual activation is used for smoke-gas extraction device, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to additional activation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects user intent through capacitive sensing on the switch and autonomously activates the smoke-gas extraction device along with the surgical generator. This eliminates the need for separate manual activation of the extraction device, reducing the number of操作步骤 while maintaining simplicity. The automatic activation occurs synchronously with the surgical generator, improving operational efficiency without complicating the user interface.
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 enables almost synchronous activation of functional devices with the surgical generator, reducing energy consumption, minimizing health risks, and simplifying use by eliminating manual activation steps, while ensuring compatibility and reducing noise and suction risks.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive sensor (18) is configured to measure a capacity change or capacity at the measuring electrode (26a, 26b) and to activate or deactivate the functional device (14) as a function of the measured capacity change or capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device including a surgical generator configured to provide energy for an energy based surgical instrument; a functional device configured to provide a function in its activated state; a switch for activating and deactivating the surgical generator a capacitive sensor including at least one measuring electrode that is arranged at the switch, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to measure a capacity change or a capacity at the measuring electrode and activate or deactivate the functional device as a function of a measured capacity change or capacity.