Ultrasonic Surgical Handpiece Adapter for Single-Console Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasonic surgical systems require multiple control consoles and end effectors, leading to a need for numerous devices in the operating room, which complicates surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

An adapter that receives a drive signal from a control console and provides it to an ultrasonic surgical handpiece, equipped with a radio-frequency identification emulator to transmit maximum and minimum frequencies for driving the handpiece, allowing compatibility with various handpieces and reducing the need for multiple consoles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control consoles and end effectors are used to support different ultrasonic surgical handpieces, then compatibility with various handpieces is improved, but device complexity and the number of devices in the operating room increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various handpiecesVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An adapter is introduced as an intermediary device between the control console and the ultrasonic surgical handpiece. The adapter includes a connector that interfaces with the control console and a receptacle that receives the handpiece, enabling signal transmission and compatibility without requiring multiple specialized consoles for different handpiece types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is designed with universal functionality to support multiple types of ultrasonic surgical handpieces through a single interface. The radio-frequency identification emulator and memory components enable the adapter to identify and accommodate different handpiece requirements, allowing one control console to drive various handpiece types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control consoles are used to drive different types of ultrasonic surgical handpieces, then handpiece compatibility is improved, but ease of operation and surgical procedure complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandpiece compatibilityVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as a mediator that simplifies the interface between the control console and handpiece. By consolidating multiple handpiece types into a single adapter interface, the surgical team can operate with one console while supporting various handpiece types, reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter includes a radio-frequency identification emulator that communicates with the control console to identify the connected handpiece type. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust drive signals based on the detected handpiece characteristics, eliminating the need for manual configuration and simplifying operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The adapter enables the use of a single control console to drive multiple types of ultrasonic surgical handpieces efficiently, simplifying surgical setups and reducing the number of devices required.

Implementation Method 1

the adapter includes a radio-frequency identification emulator coupled to the connector, wherein the radio-frequency identification emulator is coupled to a memory storing a maximum and minimum frequency for driving the ultrasonic surgical handpiece, the radio-frequency identification emulator being configured to transmit the maximum and minimum frequency from the memory to the control console via the connector using an RFID protocol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio-frequency identification (RFID): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12426911B2Adapter and methods for coupling a surgical handpiece to a control console

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

An adapter configured to receive a drive signal from a control console and to provide the drive signal to an ultrasonic surgical handpiece. The adapter includes a receptacle for receiving the ultrasonic surgical handpiece and providing the drive signal to the ultrasonic surgical handpiece. The adapter includes a module for detecting a presence of the ultrasonic surgical handpiece and a connector to be inserted into a receptacle of the control console to receive the drive signal from the control console. The adapter includes a radio-frequency identification device coupled to the connector and to a memory storing a maximum and minimum frequency for driving the ultrasonic surgical handpiece. The radio-frequency identification device transmits the maximum and minimum frequency from the memory to the control console via the connector using an RFID protocol in response to the module detecting the presence of the ultrasonic surgical handpiece.