Wireless Surgical Probe Eliminates Cable Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical radiation detection instrumentation is limited by flexible cables that restrict user flexibility, are prone to entanglement, and can contaminate the operative field if not properly sterilized or draped, making it difficult to accurately locate and remove occult tumor tissue during cancer surgery.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system between a handheld probe and an instrumentation console, where the probe detects gamma radiation and transmits data wirelessly to the console for display, eliminating the need for a physical cable and enhancing sterility and flexibility during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible cable is used to connect the probe to the control console, then electrical communication is established, but user flexibility is restricted and the cable may become entangled or contaminate the operative field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with a wireless communication system. The probe contains a transmitter that wirelessly transmits radiation detection data to the console, eliminating the physical cable that restricted user movement and caused entanglement issues while maintaining reliable data communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the mechanical cable connection. By separating the electrical power supply (which remains connected via cable) from the data transmission (which becomes wireless), the system removes the harmful aspects of the cable while preserving the necessary electrical connection for probe operation.
2Reliability
If a flexible cable is used to connect the probe to the control console, then electrical communication is established, but the cable may contaminate the operative field if not properly sterilized or draped
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system replaces the mechanical cable that posed contamination risks. By transmitting data through electromagnetic waves rather than physical contact, the system eliminates the pathway for contamination while maintaining reliable data communication between probe and console.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the data transmission function from the cable connection, separating it from the electrical power connection. This allows the probe to communicate wirelessly while still receiving power through a sterilizable cable, thereby reducing contamination risk to the operative field.
3Ease of operation
If the cable is made longer to improve flexibility, then user positioning freedom increases, but the cable becomes more prone to entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system eliminates the cable management problem entirely. By replacing the physical cable with wireless data transmission, the system provides complete positioning freedom without any cable to entangle or manage, simplifying the overall system while improving ease of operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If the probe is made smaller for better surgical access, then surgical precision improves, but the detector size and signal strength are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system enables the use of smaller detectors in the probe by providing an alternative data transmission path. The wireless transmitter can compensate for the reduced signal strength from smaller detectors, allowing the probe to maintain detection capability while achieving better surgical precision through miniaturization.
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 wireless system allows for improved flexibility and reduced contamination risks during surgery, enabling more accurate detection and localization of occult tumor tissue, thereby enhancing surgical precision and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a detector configured to generate a low-level electrical signal relating to a radiation source proximate the detector
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting and locating sources of radiation emissions. A hand-held probe includes a detector configured to generate a low-level electrical signal relating to a radiation source proximate the detector, and a probe wireless link configured to transmit a message containing gamma data relating to the low-level electrical signal. An instrumentation console includes a housing, an integral console wireless link within the housing and configured to receive the message transmitted by the probe wireless link, a receiver electrically coupled to the console wireless link to convert the message to corresponding electrical display signals, and a visually perceivable display electrically coupled to the receiver to convert the electrical display signals to a visually perceivable display relating to the amount of radiation detected.