Surgical Network Routing by Data Type in Operating Rooms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical procedures in operating rooms often face challenges in efficiently managing and processing surgical devices due to the slow adoption of new technologies in medical systems, which can lead to disruptions and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A computing device is introduced that can determine the locus of a network it is connected to, identify data communications sessions, and direct them to appropriate networks based on the data type, ensuring seamless connectivity and data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a surgical system uses multiple networks for data communication, then the system can support diverse data types and procedures, but the network routing and connectivity management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoidnetwork routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A computing device acts as an intermediary between surgical devices and multiple networks. It determines the locus of each network, identifies data communication sessions, and directs sessions to appropriate networks based on data types and procedural needs, simplifying the routing complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network routing system dynamically adapts to changing procedural needs by detecting locus changes and adjusting data session directions in real-time. The system can switch between networks based on current surgical requirements, making the complexity manageable through dynamic rather than static routing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the surgical system quickly adopts new network technologies, then productivity and data processing improve, but system reliability and patient safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The computing device performs preliminary actions by determining network locus and identifying appropriate networks before directing data communication sessions. This advance preparation ensures that data is routed through reliable, validated networks, maintaining system reliability while enabling efficient use of new network technologies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors network conditions and session outcomes, using feedback to adjust routing decisions. This feedback mechanism ensures that productivity improvements from new technologies do not compromise reliability, as the system can detect and correct issues in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the computing device continuously monitors and adjusts network connectivity, then operational continuity is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic checks to determine network locus and adjust data session directions. This periodic action maintains operational continuity by detecting changes when they occur, while reducing energy consumption compared to constant monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4186070B1Device in an operating room for routing data to different networks
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
  • EP4186070B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4186070B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4186070B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Examples described herein may include a surgical computing device that directs data communications to surgical networks. The surgical computing device may include a processor that is configured to determine a present network locus, wherein the present network locus is any of a first surgical network or a second surgical network; identify a data communications session; determine a surgical data type of the data communication session, wherein the surgical data type is any of a first type of surgical data or a second type of surgical data, and direct the data communications session to the first surgical network if the surgical data type is the first type of surgical data or to the second surgical network if the surgical data type is the second type of surgical data.