Universal Socket Assembly for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of standardization in plugs for electro-medical instruments, particularly in high-frequency surgery, leads to difficulties in making secure mechanical and electrical connections with varying plug designs and dimensions, causing delays and technical issues in the operating room.
Innovation Solution
A socket arrangement with movable electrical contact elements, supported by a spring device, that can accommodate plugs of different diameters and types, ensuring reliable mechanical and electrical connection by applying a prestressing force and recognizing plug insertion through potential differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standardized plug design is used, then ease of operation and connection speed are improved, but adaptability to different instrument types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The socket arrangement is designed with multiple contact elements that can accommodate different plug types (monopolar, bipolar, various manufacturers) through a single universal socket interface. The socket can detect and adapt to different plug configurations automatically, eliminating the need for multiple specialized sockets while maintaining compatibility with all instrument types.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adjust their position and configuration based on the inserted plug type. This dynamic adaptation enables the socket to maintain reliable electrical contact regardless of whether a monopolar or bipolar plug is connected, resolving the contradiction between standardized operation and adaptability.
2Device complexity
If fixed contact elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of electrical connection deteriorates due to inability to accommodate different plug dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adjust their position and configuration based on the inserted plug type. This dynamic adaptation enables the socket to maintain reliable electrical contact regardless of whether a monopolar or bipolar plug is connected, resolving the contradiction between standardized operation and adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If manual plug recognition is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming connections
Solution Approach 1:
The socket arrangement automatically detects and recognizes the inserted plug type through its own detection circuitry, eliminating the need for manual identification or configuration by the operator. The system self-adapts to the correct contact configuration, maintaining operational simplicity while dramatically improving connection speed and overall productivity in the operating room.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket includes detection circuitry that provides automatic feedback about the inserted plug type, enabling the system to automatically adjust its configuration. This feedback mechanism eliminates manual plug recognition steps while maintaining ease of operation, as the system handles the complex detection and adaptation processes automatically.
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
Enables quick and secure connections for various plug designs, reducing technical difficulties and ensuring reliable electrical and mechanical contact, facilitating efficient high-frequency surgery by identifying plug types and status.
Implementation Method 1
The spring device applies a prestressing force to the movable contact element in the direction of the first contact element
Implementation Method 2
The second contact element is designed so as to be movable relative to the first contact element
Data Source
AI summary
The socket assembly has a jack that is arranged in housing. An electrical contact element (35) is movable provided relative to an electrical contact element (36). The contact elements are provided on the opposite sides of a mounting area (26) arranged with a plug contact pin. The biasing force is directed to contact element (35) from the contact element (36) of the jack by a spring unit (38). A contact element (35) is arranged on an electrically non-conducting contact support (44) and contact element (36) on an electrically non-conductive contact carrier (45).


