Surgical Motor Control Adaptation for Overheating Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical motor systems face limitations in application due to rapid speed readjustments causing overheating, particularly in applications requiring less quick adjustments, leading to restricted usage and increased costs due to the need for different motor systems for various medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A drive control device with a parameter setting mechanism that adapts the control or regulation profile of the electric motor based on the current medical application, allowing for optimal torque/speed characteristics, reducing overheating, and enabling the use of a single motor system for diverse applications by varying control modes through software adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rapid speed readjustment is implemented to counteract speed drops, then speed stability is improved, but additional current impulses occur causing motor overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed stabilityVSAvoidenergy loss due to current impulses
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adapts the control profile based on the detected surgical application. For applications with frequent load changes (e.g., craniotomy), the control profile enables rapid speed readjustment. For applications with stable loads (e.g., bone segment milling), the control profile limits rapid readjustments to prevent excessive current impulses and overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameters (control profile) according to the detected surgical application. By selecting different control profiles tailored to specific applications, the system optimizes the balance between speed stability and energy efficiency, preventing overheating while maintaining appropriate speed regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If different motor systems are used for different medical applications, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability for specific applicationVSAvoidcomplexity of multiple motor systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes a single motor system universal by equipping it with a control device that can detect the surgical application and automatically adapt the control profile. This allows one motor system to reliably serve multiple surgical applications (drilling, milling, sawing, craniotomy) without requiring separate specialized motors for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2874547B1Drive control device and method for a surgical motor system
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 AESCULAP AG
  • EP2874547B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2874547B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2874547B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a drive control device for a surgical motor system with a motor control unit (MS) for controlling and/or regulating an electric motor (M) driving a surgical instrument (W). To be able to use the drive control device for the widest variety of applications, according to the invention a parameter-specifying device (PV) is connected upstream of the motor control unit (MS) which parameter-specifying device determines the current medical application on the basis of a detected state or state development of the surgical motor system, particularly of the electric motor (M), selects a control mode suitable for this medical application and specifies to the motor control unit (MS) such control and regulation parameters that the control and regulation profile of said electric motor (M) corresponds to the selected control mode.