Surgical Power Distribution Control for Operating Room Load Balancing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical operating rooms face challenges in efficiently managing power distribution to various surgical modules, leading to potential power imbalances and inefficiencies during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A surgical power device and system that include multiple output power interfaces, a power distribution unit, and a controller. The controller determines the available operating room power and the power expectations of each surgical module, calculates a power budget, and adjusts the power distribution accordingly to balance power needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional power distribution methods are used in surgical operating rooms, then each surgical module can operate independently, but power imbalances and inefficiencies occur during procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distribution stabilityVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors the available operating room power and the power expectations of each surgical module, using this feedback information to dynamically calculate and adjust power budgets. This closed-loop control ensures power distribution stability while optimizing energy efficiency by reallocating power based on actual usage patterns and availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static power allocation to dynamic power distribution. The controller adjusts power budgets in real-time based on changing conditions such as available operating room power, module power expectations, and procedural needs. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by adapting power distribution to actual requirements, preventing both power imbalances and energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If power is allocated based on maximum expectations of all modules, then each module can function at full capacity, but total power consumption exceeds available operating room power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule operational flexibilityVSAvoidtotal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the power allocation parameter from fixed maximum expectations to dynamic power budgets. The controller calculates appropriate power budgets based on available operating room power and adjusts these budgets as conditions change. This allows modules to operate flexibly within their allocated budgets while ensuring total consumption remains within available power limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allocating full maximum power to all modules simultaneously, the system applies partial power allocation through calculated power budgets. Each module receives the portion of power it currently needs based on procedural requirements and available capacity, preventing excessive total power consumption while maintaining operational flexibility when power is available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If power distribution is manually managed, then individual module power needs can be assessed, but time-consuming adjustments and human error occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower need assessment accuracyVSAvoidpower adjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs self-service by automatically determining available operating room power, assessing power expectations of each module, calculating power budgets, and adjusting power distribution without human intervention. This eliminates manual management time while maintaining precise power need assessment through continuous monitoring and calculation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical power management with an automated electronic control system. The controller uses electronic sensing and calculation to precisely assess power needs and automatically adjusts power distribution, substituting human manual adjustment with automated electronic control. This achieves both high measurement precision and eliminates time loss associated with manual management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250191739A1Method of surgical system power management, communication, processing, storage and display

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

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.