Surgical Generator Signal Control for Instrument Recognition and Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical generators face challenges in efficiently managing drive signals for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, including asymmetrical harmonic distortion, electromagnetic interference, and limited ability to recognize interchangeable instruments, leading to suboptimal control and diagnostic processes, as well as patient safety concerns due to capacitive coupling issues.
Innovation Solution
A surgical generator system that employs high-speed analog-to-digital sampling and digital signal processing to determine motional branch current, reduces harmonic distortion, and provides active cancellation of leakage current, while using data circuits for instrument-specific data communication to enhance control and diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surgical generator uses traditional analog signal processing for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, then the device complexity is lower, but asymmetrical harmonic distortion and electromagnetic interference occur leading to suboptimal control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog signal processing with digital signal processing. The generator uses digital-to-analog converters to generate drive signals and digital processors to analyze feedback signals, eliminating the asymmetrical harmonic distortion and electromagnetic interference inherent in analog systems. This substitution of digital for analog processing improves control precision while managing complexity through integrated digital circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the generator lacks instrument recognition capability, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize control and diagnostics for specific instruments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the generator receives data from circuits in the surgical instrument and uses this information to recognize the specific instrument type. The processor analyzes the returned data to optimize control parameters and diagnostic functions for that particular instrument, enabling adaptability while managing complexity through structured data exchange protocols.
3Reliability
If the generator uses traditional capacitive coupling design, then the device complexity is lower, but patient safety is compromised due to leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary isolation transformer between the primary and secondary circuits to eliminate direct capacitive coupling. This transformer provides galvanic isolation, blocking leakage current paths to the patient while allowing energy transfer. The intermediate isolation stage improves patient safety while managing complexity through standard isolation transformer design.
4Measurement precision
If the generator uses high-speed analog-to-digital sampling and digital signal processing, then harmonic distortion is reduced and control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs high-speed analog-to-digital sampling to capture feedback signals and uses digital signal processing to determine motional branch current with high accuracy. This digital approach replaces less precise analog measurement methods, achieving superior measurement precision while managing complexity through integrated digital processing circuits.
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 achieves precise control of ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, improves patient safety by reducing leakage current, and enables better recognition and optimization of interchangeable instruments, leading to enhanced surgical performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade denatures protein in the tissue to form a sticky coagulum
Implementation Method 2
An ultrasonic surgical device may comprise a handpiece containing an ultrasonic transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A control circuit is disclosed that comprises a resistor and a switch network. The switch network is configured to transition between a plurality of states corresponding to a plurality of operational modes of a surgical instrument. In a first phase of a control signal, the control circuit is configured to communicate surgical instrument information to a surgical generator. In the second phase of the control signal and when the at least one switch of the switch network is in a first state of the plurality of states, the control circuit is configured to provide an output corresponding to one of the plurality of states. In the second phase of the control signal and when the at least one switch of the switch network is in a second state of the plurality of states, the control circuit is configured to provide a second output.