Modular Surgical Power Supply Overcurrent Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical instruments face challenges with overcurrent and overvoltage protection, particularly in modular systems where power supply modules can fail, leading to potential damage or unsafe operation.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument with a housing and interchangeable shaft assembly, featuring a main and supplementary power supply circuit, along with an overcurrent/voltage protection circuit that isolates power when excessive levels are detected, and can rejoin power when conditions are remedied, ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a modular power supply system is used to enable flexible configuration and operation, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the risk of overcurrent and overvoltage damage increases, threatening reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular power supply configurationVSAvoidprotection against overcurrent and overvoltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into a main power supply circuit and a supplementary power supply circuit, allowing independent monitoring and protection of each module. The overcurrent/voltage protection circuit is also segmented into separate detection and isolation components that can independently protect different parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An overcurrent/voltage protection circuit acts as an intermediary between the main and supplementary power supply circuits. This protection circuit monitors power parameters and isolates the supplementary circuit when abnormal conditions are detected, preventing damage while allowing normal operation when conditions are acceptable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If power supply modules are made disconnectable for safety and maintenance, then ease of repair and safety are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional protection circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisconnectability of power supply modulesVSAvoidprotection circuit architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into modular components (main power supply circuit, supplementary power supply circuit) that can be independently disconnected and replaced. Each module has defined connection and disconnection interfaces that simplify maintenance while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The overcurrent/voltage protection circuit automatically detects abnormal conditions and isolates faulty power supply modules without requiring manual intervention. The system self-monitors and self-protects, reducing the need for complex manual protection mechanisms while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3001279B1Modular power supply for surgical instrument with overcurrent protection for providing data retention
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC
  • EP3001279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3001279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3001279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Surgical instrument electronic subsystem 7006 comprising a short circuit protection circuit 7012 for sensors and/or electronic components 7005. A main power supply circuit 7010 is connected to a primary circuit comprising a microprocessor and other electronic components 7008. The main power supply circuit 7010 is also connected to a short circuit protection circuit 7012. The short circuit protection circuit 7012 is coupled to a supplementary power supply circuit 7014, which supplies power to the sensors and/or electronic components 7005 via the electrical conductors 7002, 7004. To reduce damage to the processor 7008 connected to the main power supply terminals 7018, 7020, during a short circuit between the electrical conductors 7002, 7004 of the power supply terminals feeding the sensors and/or electronic components 7005, a self isolating/restoring short circuit protection circuit 7012 is provided.