Surgical Hub Network Packet Prioritization for Critical Procedure Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical systems lack efficient communication and interaction management between surgical hubs, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions during critical surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical hub network with a controller that prioritizes communication and interaction based on system requirements, adjusting traffic flow to ensure critical data is transmitted efficiently and managing interactions between hubs based on capabilities and locations of modules within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication traffic flow is managed without prioritization, then all data packets are transmitted equally, but critical data may be delayed or lost during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting communication priorities based on the surgical procedure state. The system changes the parameter of data packet priority from static to dynamic, allowing critical data to be transmitted with higher priority during critical surgical moments while non-critical data uses lower priority, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable critical data transmission and minimizing transmission delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the surgical hub continuously monitors the surgical procedure state and adjusts communication priorities accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that when critical events are detected in the surgical field, the system automatically prioritizes related data transmission, preventing delays and ensuring reliability without requiring manual intervention
2Productivity
If all communication packets are transmitted with equal priority, then system simplicity is maintained, but surgical procedure efficiency is reduced due to potential disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing priority levels and communication protocols before the surgical procedure begins. The system pre-configures which types of data should be prioritized under different surgical conditions, allowing rapid response during critical moments without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thus improving efficiency while keeping the system manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into different priority levels and categories based on surgical criticality. By dividing communication traffic into segments (critical, important, routine), the system can manage complexity through structured categorization while ensuring high productivity for critical communications without overwhelming the control system
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical hub within a surgical hub network may include a controller having a processor, in which the controller may determine a priority of a communication, an interaction, or a processing of information based on a requirement of a system or a device communicating with the hub. The controller may prioritize an order of transmission of communication packets, including packets to a device outside of the network. The packets may include data to update routines, processes, or execute a critical procedural step. The controller may prioritize a communication traffic flow within the hub network. A network of surgical hubs may include a first hub having a first controller and a second hub having a second controller. The first controller may control interactions between the first hub and the second hub based on the capabilities of the first hub and a location of modules within the network.