Smart connector system for surgical machine

• US 7,443,296 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Wen, Fang, Mezhinsky, Victor B., Olivera, Argelio, Hopkins, Mark, Todd, Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US11/491,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20080020714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/505, 340/539.1, 340/539.12, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/10.1, 600/300, 600/301, 606/169, 606/170, 606/171
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00539 hydraulically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00544 pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0805 automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00736 Instruments for removal of intra-ocular material or intra-ocular injection, e.g. cataract instruments A61F9/008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser

Abstract

A smart connector system includes a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine, an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector, an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine, and an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector. The accessory connector has an RFID tag antenna and is capable of attaching a tool to the surgical machine. When the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.

Claims

1. A smart connector system for a surgical machine comprising:

a machine connector disposed on a face of a surgical machine;

an illumination ring located on the face of the surgical machine and disposed around a periphery of the machine connector;

an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the surgical machine; and

an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector, the accessory connector having an RFID tag antenna, the accessory connector for attaching a tool to the surgical machine;

wherein when the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag antenna and the RFID reader antenna.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry disposed in the surgical machine, the circuitry adapted to read information from the RFID tag antenna.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the illumination ring illuminates in response to the communications connection.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the illumination ring is capable of producing at least two different colors of light

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the accessory connector further has an REID tag integrated circuit.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the accessory connector and the machine connector are configured to deliver electric power to the tool.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the accessory connector and the machine connector are configured to deliver pneumatic power to the tool.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the accessory connector and the machine connector are configured to deliver hydraulic power to the tool.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the accessory connector and the machine connector are configured to deliver laser power to the tool.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the accessory connector and the machine connector are configured to deliver light to the tool.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the accessory connector and the machine connector are configured to deliver fluid to the tool.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the illumination ring further comprises:

a light source; and

a light diffusive element.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the illumination ring further comprises:

a light source; and

a light refractive element.

14. A ring illumination system comprising:

a surgical machine having a main surgical console and a display;

a machine connector disposed on a face of the main surgical console, the machine connector adapted to provide power to a surgical tool;

an illumination ring located on the face of the main surgical console and disposed around a periphery of the receiving connector, the illumination ring comprising a light source and an light diffusive and refractive element;

an RFID reader including an RFID reader antenna located in close proximity to the machine connector and the face of the main surgical console; and

an accessory connector adapted to couple with the machine connector, the accessory connector having an RFID tag, the accessory connector for attaching the surgical tool to the main surgical console;

wherein when the accessory connector is brought within close proximity to the machine connector, a communications connection is established between the RFID tag and the RFID reader.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the illumination ring illuminates in response to the communications connection.