Surgical Ultrasound Transducer Use Counting via Connection Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical systems with ultrasound treatment instruments face challenges in precisely counting the number of uses, as the degradation of ultrasound transducer characteristics is influenced by both the duration and frequency of ultrasound vibration energy output, as well as sterilization processes, leading to inaccurate determination of lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system that includes a power supply apparatus with a connection detection mechanism, a storage section for tracking the number of treatments, and a processing section that calculates and updates the number of uses based on connection and non-connection time periods, allowing for precise determination of the ultrasound treatment instrument's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of uses is counted based on simple connection detection, then the counting process is simple, but the accuracy of use counting is insufficient because sterilization processes and actual treatments cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the use counting process into distinct phases: treatment phases (when the instrument is connected and operating) and sterilization phases (when the instrument is disconnected). By dividing the monitoring process based on connection status, the system can accurately attribute degradation to specific types of events without requiring complex sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting connection and disconnection events to pre-categorize subsequent time periods as either treatment or sterilization phases. This preliminary detection allows the system to automatically determine the nature of each use event before degradation occurs, improving counting accuracy without adding complexity during the actual treatment process.
2Productivity
If the ultrasound transducer is used repeatedly without precise tracking, then productivity is maintained, but the lifespan is reduced due to overuse and inadequate maintenance timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the number of treatment phases and sterilization phases, comparing the accumulated use against predetermined thresholds, and providing alerts when maintenance is due. This feedback mechanism enables repeated usage while preventing overuse, as the system tracks each connection-disconnection cycle and triggers maintenance notifications before the transducer exceeds its safe operational limits.
3Reliability
If simple use counting is implemented, then device complexity is low, but reliability is insufficient because degradation from sterilization and treatment cannot be differentiated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the monitoring system adaptive to connection status changes. The system dynamically adjusts its counting behavior based on whether the instrument is connected (treatment phase) or disconnected (sterilization phase), allowing reliable lifespan determination through a relatively simple structure that responds dynamically to operational conditions rather than requiring complex static sensing mechanisms.
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
Enables accurate tracking of the number of uses and sterilization events, thereby extending the lifespan of ultrasound treatment instruments by ensuring timely maintenance and preventing overuse.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound treatment instrument including an ultrasound transducer has been widely used as a surgical system that performs treatment such as dissection and excision by applying ultrasound vibration energy to living tissue
Implementation Method 2
the ultrasound treatment instrument which is used by repeating treatment by ultrasound vibration energy like this, degradation of the characteristics of the ultrasound transducer occurs by repetition of the treatment by the ultrasound vibration energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical system has an ultrasound treatment instrument having an ultrasound transducer, a power supply apparatus to which the ultrasound treatment instrument is detachably connected, an energy supply section that supplies drive energy to the ultrasound transducer, a clock that measures a present time, a time updating section that regularly outputs the present time, a storage section that stores a final updated time that is updated finally in the present time, and a number of times of use, a time period calculation section that calculates a non-connection time period of the ultrasound treatment instrument to the power supply apparatus, and a processing section that performs processing of generating an update signal that causes the number of times of use to be updated in accordance with a determination result with respect to the non-connection time period and a result of determination with respect to a parameter.