Surgical Equipment Socket With Plug-Mating Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical equipment sockets for high-frequency and ultrasound generators lack a reliable and compact solution for accurately detecting the correct connection of surgical instruments, which is crucial for ensuring safety and error-free surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical equipment socket with indicator assemblies and detection elements that move from a free to a mated position upon insertion of compatible plugs, allowing for the distinction between different types of surgical instruments and providing reliable detection through rotational or linear movement mechanisms, including return elements and sensors for secure and safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical equipment sockets are used without indicator assemblies, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of detecting correct instrument connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indicators (LED lights or color-coded elements) that change appearance based on the connection status. When a compatible surgical instrument is correctly connected, the indicator assembly displays a specific visual state (e.g., green LED illuminated). When incompatible or incorrectly connected, a different visual state appears (e.g., red LED or different pattern), enabling immediate visual verification of correct connection without complex electronic interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator assembly automatically detects and displays the connection status without requiring manual verification or complex sensor systems. The mechanical or electrical connection itself triggers the indicator state change, making the system self-diagnosing. This provides reliable detection while keeping the added complexity minimal, as the connection actuation directly drives the indicator state.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detection elements are added to distinguish different instrument types, then the measurement precision of instrument identification is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator assembly is divided into multiple independent detection elements, each responsible for detecting a specific aspect of instrument compatibility. For example, one element may detect the presence of a plug, another may detect the plug type, and a third may verify proper insertion depth. Each segment provides a binary or discrete state, and their combination enables precise instrument identification without requiring a single complex detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spatial arrangement of multiple indicators (e.g., different positions, patterns, or combinations of LED lights) to encode instrument type information. Instead of using a single complex sensor, multiple simple indicators are arranged in different configurations to represent different instrument categories. This dimensional encoding allows precise identification while keeping individual detection elements simple.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact indicator assembly is designed with limited space, then the volume of the socket is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring connection status increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detection and indication functions are merged into a single integrated indicator assembly. The plug actuation mechanism simultaneously triggers multiple detection elements and visual indicators within a compact form factor. This consolidation provides comprehensive connection status information in one location, making detection easier despite the reduced overall volume of the socket assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator assembly uses visually distinct color changes or light patterns that are easily distinguishable from a distance or at a glance. Bright LED lights or high-contrast color coding ensure that the connection status is immediately apparent, compensating for the compact size. The visual signal strength and clarity are optimized to maintain ease of detection even when the physical dimensions are reduced.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical equipment socket for a surgical generator for connecting surgical instruments, a surgical system and a method for detecting the use of a surgical instrument in a surgical system, wherein the surgical equipment socket includes a first indicator assembly having a first movable element, and a first detection element; wherein the first movable element is movable from a free position to a mated position, and wherein the first detection element is adapted to detect whether the first movable element is in the mated position.