Three-Pin Electrosurgical Connector with Automatic Circuit Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical systems require separate connectors for instruments with activation switch circuits and those with instrument identification circuits, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in finding the right connector during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical system that uses a three-pin connector to connect both electrosurgical instruments with activation switch circuits and those with instrument identification circuits to the same electrosurgical generator, allowing the generator to detect and switch between the two types of circuits as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate connectors are used for instruments with activation switch circuits and those with instrument identification circuits, then each connector can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity increases and it becomes more difficult to find the right connector during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single three-pin connector that can serve both activation switch circuits and instrument identification circuits. The connector is universally compatible with different instrument types, eliminating the need for separate specialized connectors while maintaining optimized functionality for each circuit type through software-based detection and routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate connector functions into a single unified connector design. By combining the activation switch circuit connection capability and instrument identification circuit connection capability into one three-pin connector, the system reduces connector variety while preserving the specialized functions through intelligent switching and detection mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a single three-pin connector is used for both activation switch circuits and instrument identification circuits, then connector complexity is reduced and ease of operation improves, but the generator must implement complex detection and switching logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by enabling the generator to automatically detect which type of circuit is connected to the three-pin connector and autonomously switch between the appropriate processing modes. The detection mechanism automatically identifies the instrument type and routes signals accordingly, eliminating the need for manual connector selection or complex user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the connector's functional configuration changeable based on the detected instrument type. The system dynamically switches between activation switch circuit mode and instrument identification circuit mode, allowing the same physical connector to adapt its electrical and logical configuration in real-time based on what is connected.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the generator detects and switches between different circuit types using the same connector, then instrument compatibility is improved, but the connection time and detection process may be extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by performing instrument detection and circuit type identification immediately upon connector insertion, before electrosurgical therapy is initiated. The generator proactively detects the instrument type and configures the appropriate circuit mode in advance, ensuring readiness without delaying the surgical procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosurgical system includes: an electrosurgical generator, the electrosurgical generator having an instrument identification unit and an activation switch unit, and an electrosurgical instrument configured to connect to the electrosurgical generator through a three-pin connector; wherein the electrosurgical instrument includes an electrosurgical electrode connected to a first pin of the three-pin connector, and one or more of an activation switch circuit and an instrument identification circuit connected to a second pin and/or a third pin of the three-pin connector; wherein the electrosurgical generator is configured to detect, whether the electrosurgical instrument includes an instrument identification circuit, and: connect, or maintain a connection of, the second and third pin of the three-pin connector to the instrument identification unit, communicate data with the instrument identification circuit, and after communicating data with the instrument identification circuit, connect the second and third pin of the three-pin connector to the activation switch unit.