Modular Surgical Instrument Authentication Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments lack a robust mechanism for ensuring the authenticity and proper assembly of modular components, which is crucial for maintaining sterility and ensuring safe operation during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A modular surgical instrument system with a control circuit that uses unique identifier resistances to detect and authenticate the modular configuration, ensuring correct assembly and preventing unauthorized or unsafe use by disabling components beyond their lifecycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular components are used to improve adaptability and versatility, then the ability to adapt to different surgical conditions is improved, but the risk of improper assembly and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication of modular components before allowing assembly. The control circuit verifies unique identifiers and checks for proper configuration before enabling operation, preventing improper assembly before it occurs rather than detecting it afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit provides feedback by detecting the configuration of modular components through unique identifiers and communicating authentication status to the user interface. This feedback loop ensures that only properly assembled and authenticated components can be operated, maintaining reliability while enabling modularity.
2Reliability
If authentication mechanisms are added to verify modular component configuration, then the reliability and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical verification mechanisms with electronic authentication using unique identifiers and control circuitry. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving authentication reliability through electronic detection and verification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses unique identifier circuits that can be copied or replicated across different modular components. This allows the control circuit to authenticate components through electronic identification rather than complex physical verification, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.
3Measurement precision
If unique identifier circuits are integrated into modular components, then the measurement precision of component identification is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses unique identifier circuits that rely on electrical parameters such as resistance values rather than precise physical dimensions. This parameter change from dimensional to electrical characteristics reduces manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining high measurement precision for component identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The unique identifier circuits use standardized electrical components with inherent tolerances that are sufficient for identification purposes. By using homogeneous electrical parameters rather than unique physical features, the system reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining identification precision through electrical measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular surgical instrument system that comprises modular components and a control circuit electrically couplable to the modular components. The modular components comprise a shaft and a handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a disposable outer housing. The disposable outer housing is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The handle assembly further comprises a control inner core receivable inside the disposable outer housing in the open configuration. The disposable outer housing is configured to isolate the control inner core in the closed configuration. The modular components further comprise a loading unit releasably couplable to the shaft and a staple cartridge releasably couplable to an end effector. The loading unit comprises the end effector. The control circuit is configured to generate an interrogation signal, detect a response signal, determine a modular configuration of the modular surgical instrument system, and assess authenticity of the modular configuration.