Trocar Controller with Insertion Detection for Medical Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive medical procedures face safety risks due to unintended exposure to high-intensity laser radiation and uncontrolled media discharge when endoscopes are not properly inserted or removed during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical system with a controller that ensures medical instruments, such as endoscopes, can only function and receive energy or media when fully inserted into a trocar, using conductive seals, inductive detection, capacitive detection, or tactile switches to generate an enabling signal for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laser diodes are used as light sources for endoscope illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but safety risk increases due to high-intensity laser radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection to verify endoscope insertion into trocar before enabling the laser light source. The controller checks the position status in advance, and only activates the high-intensity illumination when proper insertion is confirmed, preventing accidental laser exposure during handling or cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the position detection system and the laser light source. It receives position signals from the detection mechanism and controls the light source activation accordingly, creating a safety mediation layer that prevents direct exposure risk while maintaining illumination functionality
2Ease of operation
If flushing device is provided for optics cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but safety risk increases due to uncontrolled media discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of endoscope insertion status before enabling the flushing device. The controller verifies proper insertion through the trocar, and only then activates the flushing function, ensuring that media discharge is controlled and directed into the body cavity rather than uncontrolled discharge into the operating room
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the position detection system to control the flushing device operation. The controller continuously monitors insertion status and adjusts the flushing device activation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents uncontrolled media discharge while maintaining cleaning capability
3Reliability
If controller enables medical function only when instrument is inserted into trocar, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical interlocking mechanisms with field-based detection methods. Magnetic fields, electric fields, or capacitive fields are used to detect endoscope position non-contactly or with minimal contact, substituting mechanical complexity with electromagnetic field-based sensing that achieves the same safety control function
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the laser light source, controls the flushing device, and monitors position detection. By integrating these control functions into a single controller unit, the system reduces overall complexity compared to having separate control mechanisms for each function
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
Prevents accidental exposure to laser radiation and uncontrolled media discharge, enhancing operational safety by ensuring that medical functions are only performed when the instrument is correctly inserted, thereby reducing the risk of injury and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
using conductive seals, inductive detection, capacitive detection, or tactile switches to generate an enabling signal for safe operation
Implementation Method 2
using conductive seals, inductive detection, capacitive detection, or tactile switches to generate an enabling signal for safe operation
Implementation Method 3
using conductive seals, inductive detection, capacitive detection, or tactile switches to generate an enabling signal for safe operation
Data Source
AI summary
A medical system including: a trocar configured to provide an artificial access to a body cavity of a patient; a medical instrument configured to be inserted through the trocar and into the body cavity of the patient for performing a medical function in the body cavity of the patient; and a controller configured to: determine whether the medical instrument is inserted into the trocar; and enable the performing of the medical function by the medical instrument only if the medical instrument is determined to be inserted into the trocar.