Surgical Instrument Shaft Antenna for Wireless Sensor Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical instruments with complex mechanical joints face challenges in delivering power and data to sensors due to the difficulty of using direct wired connections, particularly in free rotating joints.
Innovation Solution
The electrically conductive shaft of the surgical instrument serves as an antenna for a control unit to wirelessly communicate signals to and from a sensor transponder located on a nonconductive component of the end effector, allowing for radiated signals to be sent and received, enabling communication without a direct wired connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct wired connection is used to deliver power and data to sensors, then reliable communication is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the free rotating joint becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless communication system. Sensors in the end effector transmit data and receive power through electromagnetic fields that penetrate the free rotating joint, eliminating the need for physical wires through the joint and reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transfer power and data between the control unit and sensors. The electromagnetic field acts as a mediator that can pass through the free rotating joint without physical contact, enabling communication across the joint without requiring complex wired connections.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into the end effector for power-assist functionality, then loading force feedback is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to complex mechanical joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor connection systems with wireless electromagnetic communication. Sensors embedded in the end effector can accurately detect loading forces and transmit this data through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the interference and complexity associated with wired connections through free rotating joints while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is implemented through the shaft, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating wired connections through rotating joints, but the use of energy increases due to signal transmission requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power transmission and data communication functions into a single wireless electromagnetic system. The same electromagnetic field infrastructure used for communication also provides power transmission to sensors, reducing the overall energy consumption compared to maintaining separate powered wireless communication systems while improving ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design facilitates effective power and data communication to sensors in surgical instruments with complex mechanical joints, enhancing the functionality of power-assist devices by providing loading force feedback and control to the operator while maintaining sterility and minimizing interference.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically conductive shaft of the surgical instrument serves as an antenna for a control unit to wirelessly communicate signals to and from a sensor transponder
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising an end effector (12) having at least one sensor (368) and a control unit (300). The surgical instrument further comprises an electrically conductive shaft (40) having a distal end connected to the end effector. The sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft whereas the control unit is electrically coupled to said shaft (e.g. by link 400) such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor.