Voice-Controlled Electrosurgical Generator for Hands-Free OR Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical systems lack efficient voice-control capabilities, limiting their usability and flexibility in operating room environments.
Innovation Solution
A voice-controlled electrosurgical system with a speech recognition module, data storage, and a graphical user interface, allowing for voice-activated control of electrosurgical generators and other operating room equipment, including robotic surgical systems, through a system comprising an electrosurgical generator, data storage, and electrosurgical accessories with integrated microphone chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual control interfaces are used in electrosurgical systems, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for hands-free operation in surgical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control interfaces with a voice recognition system that processes acoustic signals. The microphone chip captures voice commands, the speech recognition module converts them to text, and the controller executes corresponding operations, eliminating the need for physical button presses or touchscreen interactions during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voice commands as an intermediary between the surgeon and the electrosurgical system. Instead of direct manual manipulation of controls, the surgeon speaks commands that are transmitted through the voice recognition system, which then translates them into system actions, enabling hands-free operation while maintaining system control.
2Ease of operation
If voice recognition technology is integrated into electrosurgical systems, then ease of operation improves for hands-free control, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the voice recognition system into the existing electrosurgical generator platform, allowing the same system to perform both traditional electrosurgical functions and voice-controlled operations. The controller unit coordinates multiple functions including RF power delivery, gas flow control, and voice command processing, making the system multi-functional without requiring completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the voice recognition components (microphone chip, speech recognition module) with the existing electrosurgical system components (controller, RF generator, gas control system) into a unified integrated system. This merging allows voice commands to control multiple aspects of the surgical system simultaneously, reducing the need for separate standalone voice control devices.
3Productivity
If multiple operating room equipment are controlled through a unified voice system, then productivity increases through streamlined workflow, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the voice recognition system to control multiple types of operating room equipment including electrosurgical generators, robotic surgical systems, and other electronic devices. The speech recognition module and controller are configured to recognize and execute commands across different device types, creating a universal control interface that streamlines workflow without requiring separate voice control systems for each device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for voice control of operating room electrical equipment. The system comprises an electrosurgical generator having a controller with a memory, a graphical user interface controlled by said controller, a power module, a field programmable gate array, and a voice recognition module connected to said field programmable gate array, a data storage connected to said controller in said electrosurgical generator; and electrical operating room equipment connected to said voice recognition module, wherein said electrical operating room equipment is configured to receive and decrypt encrypted commands from said voice recognition module. The audio input to the voice recognition system may be a microphone chip in a electrosurgical accessory.