Surgical Instrument Wireless Sensor Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical instruments face challenges in delivering power and information to sensors, particularly at complex mechanical joints or articulation pivots, where wired electrical connections are difficult to maintain, and there is a need for passive and/or active sensor elements that do not require power or a wired connection.
Innovation Solution
The surgical instrument employs wireless communication between sensor elements using inductive or electromagnetic transfer, where the shaft acts as an antenna for the control unit to communicate with sensor elements in the end effector, eliminating the need for direct wired connections and allowing for the use of passive or active sensor elements that can operate without an onboard power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired electrical connections are used to deliver power and information to sensor elements, then reliable communication is achieved, but the device complexity increases and the connections become difficult to maintain at complex mechanical joints or articulation pivots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired electrical connections (mechanical system) with wireless communication using electromagnetic fields. Sensor elements in the end effector communicate with the control unit through the shaft acting as an antenna, eliminating physical connectors at mechanical joints and articulation pivots, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining communication reliability.
2Device complexity
If passive sensor elements without onboard power supply are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to deliver power and information to sensors becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the shaft as an intermediary element that serves dual purposes: it acts as both the structural component of the instrument and as an antenna for wireless power and data transmission. This intermediary enables power and information delivery to passive sensor elements without requiring separate power supply systems, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining sensor communication capability.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication using the shaft as an antenna is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved by eliminating wired connections, but the device complexity increases due to electromagnetic transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the shaft multi-functional by combining its structural role with its role as an electromagnetic antenna. This universal application eliminates the need for separate wireless communication hardware, thereby improving ease of operation (no wired connections at moving joints) while avoiding additional device complexity from dedicated antenna components.
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 solution enables effective communication and power transfer to sensor elements in endoscopic surgical instruments, facilitating the determination of component status and user feedback, while minimizing interference and maintaining a compact form factor, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and control of the instrument.
Implementation Method 1
The surgical instrument employs wireless communication between sensor elements using inductive or electromagnetic transfer, where the shaft acts as an antenna for the control unit to communicate with sensor elements in the end effector
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft includes a first sensor element. An end effector is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a second sensor element. A handle is connected to the proximate end of the shaft. The handle includes a control unit. The control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element.