Wireless MEMS Surgical Sensor for Dynamic Torque Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensors for orthoscopic surgical procedures are bulky, interfere with precise manipulations, and require tethered connections, limiting their effectiveness and increasing manufacturing costs due to their inability to provide dynamic feedback on parameters like speed, rotation, and torque without affecting the surgical device's operation.
Innovation Solution
The use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) sensors affixed to surgical devices, such as shavers, for non-intrusive, wireless monitoring and control of surgical parameters like speed, rotation, and torque, allowing for precise feedback without physical connections, enabling unobtrusive placement and reducing waste in disposable instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used for orthoscopic surgical procedures, then diagnostic feedback can be provided, but the sensors crowd the surgical field and interfere with precise manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/tethered sensors with a wireless sensor system that uses electromagnetic fields for data transmission. The sensor assembly includes a wireless transceiver that communicates surgical parameters (speed, rotation, torque) wirelessly to the controller, eliminating the need for physical tethers that crowd the surgical field and interfere with manipulation precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sensors with tethers are used, then diagnostic feedback is available, but additional tethers are required which increase device complexity and interfere with surgical device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical tether system with an electromagnetic communication system. The wireless sensor assembly transmits surgical parameters via radio frequency signals to the controller, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tethered connection requirement from the sensor system by implementing wireless communication. The sensor assembly is designed to operate independently without physical connections to the controller, removing the cumbersome tether infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used, then surgical feedback can be provided, but manufacturing costs increase due to inability to use disposable small sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements disposable wireless sensor assemblies that can be manufactured at low cost using miniaturized electronics. These single-use sensors eliminate the need for expensive sterilization and maintenance of reusable sensors, reducing overall manufacturing and operational costs while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from large, reusable sensor designs to miniaturized wireless sensors, effectively moving to a different size dimension. This miniaturization enables the use of inexpensive disposable components while maintaining functional capabilities.
4Measurement precision
If sensors are placed on rotating components, then dynamic feedback on speed and torque is available, but physical connections become restricted due to rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotational encoders and physical connection systems with wireless sensors that measure speed and torque through non-contact methods. The wireless transceiver communicates rotational parameters through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the complexity of maintaining physical connections on rotating components.
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AI summary
A dynamic sensing method and apparatus employs microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) surgical sensors for gathering and reporting surgical parameters pertaining to a drive mechanism of a surgical device, such as speed, rotation, torque and other characteristics of the surgical device. The surgical device employs or affixes the surgical sensor on or about a surgical device for detecting electromechanical characteristics during the surgical procedure. The surgical procedure disposes the medical device in the surgical field responsive to the drive mechanism of a shaver or other endoscopic instrument inserted in a surgical field defined by the surgical procedure.