Smart recognition apparatus and method

• US 6,068,627 A
• Filed: 12/10/1997
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Valleylab Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Orszulak, James Henry, Dobbins, Gary Lee Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US08/988,362
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 606/34, 606/37, 606/1, 606/4, 606/10-12, 607/1
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/4297 having protection means, e.g. protecting humans against accidental exposure to harmful laser radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64

Abstract

A qualifying connection for an instrument attaches to a source of electrosurgery energy to and the instrument and has first and second parts coupled to the instrument and the source, respectively. Optical couplings on the connection transmit invisible energy to identify the instrument and are proximate on the first and second parts. A light modifier on the first part is proximal to the second part for modification of radiation in the infrared wavelengths so infrared transmitters encode signals and non contact coded proximity detectors on the second part are the coupled detectors. Non contact coded proximity detectors respond to modified infrared light establishing an Nth bit identification code. An infrared light supply in the source pass from the transmitters across the communicating couplings for encoding signals by modification of the infrared light with a light modifier. Mechanical attachments include conjugating male and female portions physically extending between the parts for mating engagement. The attachments juxtaposition the parts when the attachments geometrically conjugate to geographically positioning the couplings proximate for communicating. The attachments have one or more conductors for delivery of high frequency energy from the source to the instrument. A cable fits between the first part of the connection and the instrument and has electrical conductors for carrying energy passing through the first part of the connection from the source to the instrument. An identifying circuit couples to the second part and responds to invisible light optically communicated across the couplings for verifying the type of instrument connected by the cable to the source.

Claims

1. A system including an instrument, a source of high frequency energy and a qualifying connection between the source of medical treatment for passage of treatment energy from the source of medical treatment through the qualifying connection to the instrument and to a patient, the qualifying connection for selectively permitting passage of information from the instrument to the source of medical treatment, the system comprising:

an instrument having a distal end for treatment of the patient and a proximal end for manipulation by a surgeon, the instrument connected to the qualifying connection;

a source of medical treatment for providing energy delivery to the instrument, the source of medical treatment attached to the qualifying connection;

a first part of the qualifying connection connected to the instrument;

a second part of the qualifying connection carried on and connected to the source of medical treatment;

optical couplings on the qualifying connection and on the first and second parts for passing optical energy communicating the information in the form of the identity of the instrument to the source of medical treatment;

a light supply in the source of medical treatment, the light supply connected to the qualifying connection for transmitting across the communicating optical couplings, the light supply within a predetermined wavelength;

mechanical attachments across the qualifying connection for juxtapositioning the first and second parts thereof, the mechanical attachments having geometric mechanical conjugations for delivering medical treatment through the qualifying connection from the source of medical treatment to the instrument, the mechanical attachments for positioning geographically the optical couplings in proximity to communicate between the first part of the instrument and the second part on the source of medical treatment when the mechanical attachments conjugate so the optical couplings may communicate the information as an indication of the identity of the instrument connected to the source of medical treatment;

an identifying circuit in the source of medical treatment, the identifying circuit connected to the second part and responsive to the information as the indication of light optically communicated through the optical couplings thereby differentiating the type of instrument connected by the mechanical attachments through the qualifying connection to the source of medical treatment, the identifying circuit for signaling verification to the source of medical treatment, and

a switch connected to the identifying circuit in the source of medical treatment, the switch responsive to the signaling of the identifying circuit, the switch further connected within the source of medical treatment for enabling the passage of medical treatment from the source of medical treatment through at least one of the mechanical attachments and to the instrument.

2. The qualifying connection of claim 1 wherein conjugating male and female portions form the mechanical attachments, the male and female portions physically extend between the first and second parts across the qualifying connection for mating engagement.

3. The qualifying connection of claim 1 wherein the optical couplings positioned on the first and second parts are aligned in proximate relation for communication therebetween upon the mating engagement of the mechanical attachments, the optical coupling on the first part including a light modifier.

4. The qualifying connection of claim 3 wherein the light modifier includes a diffuse surface, a coating, a matrix of holes or a preselected light responsive material to modify the radiation passing through the light modifier for thereafter receipt by the optical coupling on the second part for signaling the source of medical treatment.

5. The qualifying connection of claim 2 wherein the mechanical attachments include one or more male portions on the first part for conjugation.

6. The qualifying connection of claim 2 wherein the mechanical attachments include one or more female portions on the second part for conjugation.

7. The qualifying connection of claim 4 wherein the first part optical couplings include the light modifier indicative of the type of instrument connected to the first part.

8. The qualifying connection of claim 7 wherein infrared transmitters are positioned on the second part proximal the light modifier for optical communication of the light therethrough.

9. The qualifying connection of claim 8 wherein the source of medical treatment is a source of high frequency energy, the identifying circuit including a memory to receive the information as the indication in the form of modified light energy from the optical couplings, the memory for comparing the light transmitted through the optical couplings and modified thereby with information, the memory for receiving the information and controlling the activation or deactivation the source of high frequency energy.

10. The qualifying connection of claim 1 wherein the optical couplings include a diffuse surface infrared reflector on the first part and non contact coded proximity detectors on the second part responsive to the light returned from the diffuse surface infrared reflector communicated as information indicative of the instrument identification for the identifying circuit.

11. A system including a source of high frequency energy and qualifying connection for an instrument attached to the source of high frequency energy for electrosurgery and surgical signals from the source of high frequency energy delivered through the qualifying connection to and from the instrument, the qualifying connection having a first part connectable to the instrument and a second part connected to the source of high frequency energy, the qualifying connection comprising;

optical couplings on the qualifying connection for transmitting invisible optical energy thereacross for communicating instrument identity to the source of high frequency energy, the optical couplings positioned on the first and second parts in proximate relation for communication thereacross;

a light modifier on the first part of the optical coupling, the light modifier positioned proximally to the second part for modification of radiation in the infrared wavelengths;

transmitters of infrared wavelengths encoded signals and non contact coded proximity detectors as the optical couplings positioned on the second part, the non contact coded proximity detectors responsive to infrared modification from the light modifier for providing information indicative of instrument identification;

an invisible light supply in the source of high frequency energy for delivery from the transmitters and across the communicating optical couplings of the infrared wavelength encoded signal for modification by the light modifier to communicate coded signals thereacross;

mechanical attachments including conjugating male and female portions physically extending between the first and second parts across the qualifying connection for mating engagement, the mechanical attachments across the qualifying connection for juxtapositioning the first and second parts, the mechanical attachments geometrically conjugating thereby geographically positioning the optical couplings proximate for communicating, the mechanical attachments including one or more conductors for delivery of high frequency energy from the source of high frequency to the instrument;

a cable extending from the first part of the qualifying connection for connecting the qualifying connection and the instrument, the cable including electrical conductors for carrying high frequency energy passing through the first part of the qualifying connection from the source of high frequency energy to the cable and the instrument;

an identifying circuit in the source of high frequency energy, the identifying circuit coupled to the second part, the identifying circuit responsive to invisible light optically communicated across the optical couplings for verifying the type of instrument connected by the cable, through the qualifying connection to the source of high frequency energy, the identifying circuit for signaling the verification to the source of high frequency energy;

a memory coupled within the identifying circuit, the memory for receiving and comparing verification signals to predetermined instrument identification therewithin, and

a switch in the source of high frequency energy and connected to the memory, the switch connected within the source of high frequency energy for controlling activation and deactivation of the flow of high frequency energy therefrom through at least one of the mechanical attachments, the cable and to the instrument, the switch responsive to the signals of the identifying circuit thereby activating or deactivating the source of high frequency energy.

12. A system including a source of high frequency energy and a qualifying connection for an instrument attached to the source of high frequency energy for electrosurgery and surgical signals from the source of high frequency energy delivered through the qualifying connection to and from the instrument, the connection having a first part connectable to the instrument and a second part on the source of high frequency energy, the qualifying connection comprising:

mechanical attachments on the first and second parts for geometrically conjugating, the mechanical attachments extending across the qualifying connection for juxtapositioning the first and second parts of thereof, the mechanical attachments on the second part connected to the source of high frequency energy, the mechanical attachments on the first part coupled to the instrument for delivery of high frequency energy;

optical couplings on the first and second parts for passing invisible optical energy thereacross to communicate instrument identity, the optical couplings geographically oriented proximate relative to the juxtaposed first and second parts for communicating when the mechanical attachments conjugate;

an infrared light supply in the source of high frequency energy, the infrared light supply connected to the optical couplings in the second part for transmission across the communicating optical couplings;

an infrared light modifier on the optical couplings on the first part, the infrared light modifier positioned proximal for coding of the transmitted infrared light communicated across the optical couplings;

a cable extending from the first part for connecting the qualifying connection and the instrument, the cable for carrying high frequency energy from the mechanical attachments to the instrument, the cable for allowing movement of the instrument relative to the source of high frequency energy;

an identifying circuit in the source of high frequency energy second part and connected to respond to infrared light optically coded by the infrared light modifier, the identifying circuit for verifying the type of instrument connected by the cable through the qualifying connection to the source of high frequency electrosurgical energy, the identifying circuit connected for signaling the verification to the source of high frequency energy, and

a switch in the source of high frequency energy coupled to the identifying circuit for responding to the signals of the identifying circuit, the switch connected within the source of high frequency energy for enabling and disabling the flow of high frequency energy from the source of high frequency energy through at least one of the mechanical attachments, the cable and to the instrument.

13. A system including a source of medical treatment and a qualifying connection between an instrument and the source of medical treatment, the qualifying connection for passage of treatment from the source of medical treatment through the qualifying connection to the instrument, the qualifying connection for selectively permitting passage of information from the instrument to the source of medical treatment, the qualifying connection comprising:

a first part of the qualifying connection connectable to the instrument;

a second part of the qualifying connection carried on and connected to the source of medical treatment;

a transmitter on the source of medical treatment second part for delivery of informational energy to the first part on the instrument;

a modifier on the first part proximately positioned relative to the transmitter, the modifier able to change the energy from the transmitter;

one or more receivers on the second part located for receipt of the changed energy from the modifier;

mechanical attachments across the qualifying connection for juxtapositioning the first and second parts thereof, the mechanical attachments having geometric conjugations for delivering medical treatment through the qualifying connection from the source of medical treatment to the instrument, the mechanical attachments for positioning proximally and geographically the first part on the instrument and the second part on the source of medical treatment when the mechanical attachments conjugate so that the first and second parts may communicate across the qualifying connection between the first and second parts for transmitting and receiving information and changed energy thereacross thus communicating the identity of the instrument to and medical treatment from the source of medical treatment;

an identifying circuit connected to the second part thus located in the source of medical treatment for receiving communicated information from the receiver, the identifying circuit responsive to communicated information for differentiating the type of instrument connected by the mechanical attachments through the qualifying connection to the source of medical treatment, the identifying circuit for generating a signal of verification to the source of medical treatment, and

a switch in the source of medical treatment responsive to the signaling of the identifying circuit, the switch connected to the identifying circuit within the source of medical treatment, the switch connected within the source of medical treatment for controlling the passage of medical treatment from the source of medical treatment through at least one of the mechanical attachments and to the instrument.

14. The qualifying connection of claim 13 wherein the switch in the source of medical treatment is connected to an energy provider in the source of medical treatment responsive to the automatic activation of the source of high frequency energy by the identifier circuit for setting the nature of the energy conveyed in accord with the instrument identified and for differentiating the instrument attached through the qualifying connection from other unqualified instruments.

15. The qualifying connection of claim 14 wherein the transmitter delivers light in the infrared wavelengths and the modifier is a surface on the first part positioned proximal the transmitter on the second part, the surface configured to modify the delivered light by absorption, diffraction, reflection or a combination thereof.

16. The qualifying connection of claim 15 wherein the mechanical attachments include one or more electrical conductors and the energy provider includes an electrosurgical generator for delivery of modes of radio frequency electrosurgery across the mechanical attachments.

17. The qualifying connection of claim 15 wherein the mechanical attachments include one or more wave guides and the energy provider is a laser for delivery of light energy through the mechanical attachments.

18. The qualifying connection of claim 15 wherein the mechanical attachments include one or more fluid passages and the energy provider is a fluid movement apparatus for delivery of suction or irrigation through the mechanical attachments.

19. The qualifying connection of claim 15 wherein the mechanical attachments include one or more energy couplings and the energy provider is a microwave generator for delivery of microwaves through the mechanical attachments.

20. The qualifying connection of claim 15 wherein the mechanical attachment include male and female portions.

21. The qualifying connection of claim 15 wherein the modifier is located in the first part sandwiched between the transmitter and receiver on the second part.

22. The qualifying connection of claim 15 wherein the surface includes a matrix for modifying the light in the infrared wavelengths.

23. The qualifying connection of claim 13 wherein the receivers include fiber optics extending between the second part and the source of medical treatment, and detectors located in the source of medical treatment are connected to the fiber optics so that the space required for the detectors is uninhibited by the second part.

24. The qualifying connection of claim 13 wherein the receivers include fiber optics extending between the second part and the source of medical treatment, the fiber optics have several groups of multiple redundant fibers for simultaneously passage of the information from the modifier in the form of modified light, a plurality of cells within the source of medical treatment so each group of the multiple redundant fibers may extend to a particular cell and deliver thereto modified light as coded identity information.

25. A non-contact recognition system for identifying a connection between a surgical instrument and a generator for applying energy to the surgical instrument, the system comprising:

a first connection part connected to the surgical instrument;

a second connection part connected to the generator;

the first connection part including a first optical coupling, the first optical coupling including a light modifier in the form of a diffuse surface, the diffuse surface including a light responsive medium having an identification code indicative of the surgical instrument, the first connection part insertable into the second connection part;

the second connection part including a light supply and a light receptor, the light supply transmitting a non-focused light beam to the diff-use surface of the first connection part and the diffuse surface modifying the light received from the second part, the light receptor receiving the non-focused light beam modified by the diffuse surface; and

an identifying circuit in the generator responsive to the modified light communicating through the first and second connection parts to identify the surgical instrument connected to the generator.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the light responsive medium includes a coating for modifying the light energy.

27. The system according to claim 25, wherein the light responsive medium includes a matrix of holes for modifying the light energy.

28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the light supply includes a plurality of infrared transmitters and the light modifier changes the energy transmitted from the transmitters.

29. The system according to claim 25, wherein the light includes a plurality of non-contact detectors.

30. The system according to claim 29, further comprising a memory in the generator for receiving and processing the modified light reflected by the diffuse surface controlling the activation and deactivation of the generator.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein the memory compares the coded signals of the diffuse surface to a predetermined instrument identification therein.

32. The system according to claim 25, wherein the generator provides high frequency energy to the surgical instrument.

33. The system according to claim 25, wherein the first connection part further includes a male mechanical attachment for reception in a female portion on the second connection part to position the first optical coupling of the first connection part and a second optical coupling of the second connection part in proximity.

34. The system according to claim 33, further comprising a switch electrically connected to the identifying circuit in the generator, the switch enabling the passage of energy from the generator through the mechanical attachment and to the surgical instrument.

35. The system according to claim 25, wherein the optical energy is invisible infrared optical energy.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein the identifying circuit responds to infrared light optically coded by the infrared light modifier.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein the second connection part includes a plurality of transmitters and the light modifier changes the light energy from the transmitters.

38. The system according to claim 34, wherein the switch allows setting the nature of the energy conveyed to the surgical instrument.

39. The system according to claim 25, further comprising a plurality of receivers on the second connection part and the light supply includes a plurality of transmitters, the light modifier being located proximate the transmitters and receiver.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein the receivers include a plurality of optical fibers.

41. A system according to claim 25, further comprising a display to provide a visual indication that the correct instrument is attached to the generator.

42. The system according to claim 25, wherein the identification code of the first connection part has Nth bit code identification unique to the type of surgical instrument.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein upon receiving the surgical instrument identity the information is hardware and software processed to determine if the identity code is correct and whether the electrosurgical energy should be supplied.

44. The system according to claim 43, wherein the first connection portion is in the form of a plug and Nth bit code identity is located on the plug.

45. A method of identifying a surgical instrument for determination of application of energy comprising:

providing a first connection part having a light modifier in the form of a diffuse surface corresponding to a predetermined code particular to the type of instrument;

providing a generator having a second connection part having a plurality of transmitters for transmitting an unfocused beam of light to the diff-use surface;

inserting the first connection part into the second connection part so the diffuse surface and the transmitters are in proximity;

transmitting optical energy from the transmitters of the second part to the diff-use surface of the first part;

processing the modified light in the generator to determine the type of surgical instrument connected to the generator; and

controlling the activation and deactivation of the generator in response to the determination of the type of surgical instrument.

46. A system according to claim 45, further comprising the step of providing a visual indication that the correct instrument is attached to the generator.

47. A system according to claim 45, wherein the step of transmitting optical energy includes transmitting optical energy to a coating on the diffuse surface.

48. A system according to claim 45, wherein the step of transmitting optical energy includes transmitting optical energy to a matrix of holes.