Universal Connector Socket for Surgical Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing universal connector sockets for surgical apparatuses are limited in their ability to accommodate both monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical instruments, as they are typically designed for strictly monopolar or strictly bipolar applications, requiring different connectors for similar instruments from various manufacturers, leading to mechanical and functional restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A universal connector socket with overlapping plug contact openings and a shared reference plug contact opening, allowing for the connection of both monopolar and bipolar instruments, featuring multiple electrically separate contact areas and a plug detecting device to ensure correct positioning and functionality, accommodating various contact distances and configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a universal connector socket is designed to accommodate multiple plug types for both monopolar and bipolar instruments, then the adaptability and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple overlapping contact openings and detection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with multiple plug typesVSAvoidconnector socket structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector socket is designed with multiple overlapping contact openings that can accommodate different plug types (monopolar and bipolar) simultaneously. The socket includes a reference contact opening and additional contact openings arranged to receive various contact pin configurations, enabling a single socket to serve multiple functions and connect different instrument types without requiring separate specialized sockets for each plug variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector socket is segmented into multiple functionally distinct contact openings: a reference contact opening for positioning and additional contact openings for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each opening to be optimized for its specific purpose while collectively providing universal compatibility. The detection means are also segmented to independently detect different plug types inserted into the socket.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If separate connector sockets are used for monopolar and bipolar instruments to ensure functional precision, then the measurement precision and functional reliability are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring different connectors for similar instruments from various manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidease of connection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If a shared reference contact opening is added to ensure unambiguous positioning of plug connectors, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug connector positioning accuracyVSAvoidconnector socket structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference contact opening is designed with an asymmetric position relative to the additional contact openings, creating a unique geometric relationship that allows the plug connector to be positioned in only one correct orientation. This asymmetric arrangement ensures unambiguous positioning without requiring complex mechanical locking or alignment mechanisms, as the geometry itself enforces the correct plug insertion orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS8613627B2Universal connector socket

Publication Date: 2013.12.24 ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH

AI summary

A universal connector socket for a surgical apparatus for the connection of different plug connectors of different surgical instruments for RF surgery. The universal connector socket has several plug contact openings for selectively connecting monopolar and bipolar surgical instruments and has several plug contact openings arranged in an overlapping manner for defining an unambiguous plug-in position of a plug connector and a shared reference plug contact opening.