Unified Surgical Generator With Isolated Multi-Frequency Transducer Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices require separate generators due to their unique drive signals, sensing and feedback needs, limiting their ability to recognize interchangeable instruments and exposing patients to leakage current, and they lack unified user interfaces and feedback systems.

Innovation Solution

A generator that communicates drive signals to both ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices using high-speed analog-to-digital sampling and digital signal processing, with integrated transformers and capacitors for electrical isolation, and a unified user interface with feedback mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate generators are used for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, then each device can have optimized drive signals and feedback control, but the system complexity increases and patients are exposed to leakage current

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines ultrasonic and electrosurgical drive capabilities into a single generator unit. The generator includes separate drive circuits for ultrasonic (with piezoelectric transducer interface) and electrosurgical (with RF amplifier) functions, allowing both device types to be controlled from one system while reducing overall complexity and eliminating leakage current risks associated with multiple isolated generators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The generator is designed with universal functionality to support both ultrasonic and electrosurgical instruments through a single device. It includes interchangeable instrument interfaces, unified user controls, and integrated feedback systems that can adapt to different instrument types, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate specialized generators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If separate generators are used for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, then each device can have optimized sensing and feedback mechanisms, but unified user interface and feedback systems are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing precisionVSAvoiduser interface unity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The generator provides a unified user interface that can control both ultrasonic and electrosurgical functions through consistent controls and displays. The system includes interchangeable instrument receptacles and adaptive feedback mechanisms that automatically recognize instrument type and provide appropriate sensing and control, eliminating the need for separate user interfaces while maintaining measurement precision for each device type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate generators are used for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, then each device can have specialized drive signals, but the ability to recognize interchangeable instruments is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument recognition capabilityVSAvoiddrive signal optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The generator includes multiple interchangeable instrument receptacles designed to accept both ultrasonic and electrosurgical instruments. The system features automatic instrument recognition capabilities that identify the connected device type and automatically configure the appropriate drive signal parameters, maintaining drive signal optimization while enabling versatile instrument interchangeability within a single generator platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables precise control and feedback for both ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices, reduces harmonic distortion and electromagnetic interference, and prevents patient exposure to leakage current, while supporting interchangeable instruments with a unified user interface.

Implementation Method 1

A generator that communicates drive signals to both ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices using high-speed analog-to-digital sampling and digital signal processing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Implementation Method 2

integrated transformers and capacitors for electrical isolation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical isolation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

integrated transformers and capacitors for electrical isolation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS12408967B2Surgical generator for ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.