DE20110944U1 - Surgical machine - Google Patents

Description

A 56 079 u Aesculap AG & Co. KG

&zgr; - 279 Am Aesculap-Platz

28 June 2001 78532 Tuttlingen

SURGICAL MACHINE

The invention relates to a surgical machine with a motor, with a mains-independent energy source for supplying energy to the motor via a motor circuit and with a control and regulating unit assigned to the motor via a control circuit.

Such machines, for example surgical drills, saws or the like, are often operated in an operating room with an independent energy source, in particular with a rechargeable battery, in order to keep the number of supply lines required for the devices and machines used as low as possible, since these restrict the operating area in an undesirable manner.

A disadvantage of machines of the type described above is that self-discharge of the mains-independent energy source occurs when the machine is not used for a long period of time.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a surgical machine of the type described above and a method for operating such a machine in such a way that self-discharge of the mains-independent energy source is avoided as far as possible.

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This object is achieved in a surgical machine of the type described at the outset in that a closing unit is provided, that the closing unit closes the control and/or the motor circuit in an operating position in which the motor can be operated, that the closing unit interrupts the control and/or the motor circuit in an interruption position in which the motor cannot be operated, that a closing position holding device is provided and that with the closing position holding device the closing unit transferred from the interruption position to the operating position can be held in the operating position during a holding interval (At _Halt ).

The locking unit makes it possible to close the control and/or motor circuit when the machine is to be operated. In this operating position, the motor can be operated or can also be at a standstill. To avoid self-discharge, the control and/or motor circuit can be interrupted in the interruption position, so that self-discharge of the mains-independent energy source, for example through a constant power supply to the control and regulating unit, is excluded. The closed position holding device maintains the operating position for the duration of the holding interval, even if the locking unit is not operated. This avoids constant opening and closing of the control and/or motor circuit, which means that the machine is not running for the duration of the holding interval.

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vails remains responsive to an operating request, for example the specification of a target speed of the engine.

It is advantageous if the locking unit can be actuated when the locking unit assumes the interruption position in an unactuated state and when the locking unit assumes the operating position in an actuated state for an operating interval (At _operation ) in which the motor is operated. Such a locking unit can be actuated in any way, whereby it is ensured that it assumes the interruption position in an unactuated state and thus prevents self-discharge of the mains-independent energy source.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an actuating element can be provided for actuating the closing unit in an actuating position and the actuating element automatically returns from the actuating position to a rest position in which the closing unit is not actuated. This makes it possible to transfer the machine to the operating position by actuating the actuating element after a single actuation of the same at least for the duration of the holding interval. Continuous actuation of the closing unit by the actuating element is therefore no longer necessary.

It is advantageous if the actuating element comprises a magnetically actuated switch. With such a

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The closing unit can be operated without contact, which is particularly advantageous with regard to cleaning the machine.

Preferably, the magnetically actuated switch is a reed switch, which is particularly wear-resistant.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the locking unit comprises at least a first switch and that the switch closes the control and/or motor circuit in the operating position and interrupts the control and/or motor circuit in the interruption position. With such a switch, the mains-independent energy source can be separated particularly easily from the motor and/or the associated control and regulating unit.

Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the closed position holding device comprises at least one second switch for holding the closing unit in the operating position. With the at least one second switch, the closing unit can be held in the operating position particularly easily, for example by the second switch holding the first switch in its switching position.

It is advantageous if at least the second switch can be operated by the control and regulation unit. In this way, the second switch can be activated by very different signals arriving from the control and regulation unit.

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and thus the locking unit is held in the operating position.

The at least one first and/or the at least one second switch could be formed by electromagnetic switches, for example. In order to implement the present invention even in a small space, the at least one first and/or the at least one second switch are formed by an electronic switch, in particular by a transistor. This allows particularly short switching times to be achieved with an extremely low power requirement.

For example, in order to allow a variable duration of the holding interval, it may be advantageous if the locking unit comprises a timer for specifying the holding interval (At _Halt ).

Preferably, the timing element can be activated by the control and regulating unit. In this way, the timing element can be operated particularly easily depending on the activation signals received by the control and regulating unit.

To further reduce the size of the machine, it is advantageous if the control and regulation unit includes the timer. This can be formed, for example, by a time-controlled processor output. Furthermore, the duration of the hold interval can be set directly on the

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Adjust and/or program the control and regulation unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the timing element is assigned to the closed position holding device. This allows the closed position holding device to be acted upon directly so that it holds the closing unit in the operating position for the duration of the holding interval.

It is advantageous if the timer can be activated by the actuating element. This allows the locking unit to be moved into the operating position and the timer to be activated at the same time, so that the holding interval begins as soon as it is actuated for the first time.

Preferably, the timing element can be activated by a transition of the actuating element from the actuating position to the rest position. The holding interval begins once with this activation or each time after a transition of the actuating element from the actuating position to the rest position, i.e. it is always restarted.

In principle, it can be advantageous if the actuating element comprises at least one speed sensor unit assigned to the control and regulating unit for specifying a target speed of the motor. In this way, the motor can be actuated and the closing unit can be moved into the operating position at the same time.

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It is particularly advantageous if the control and regulation unit includes a microprocessor control. This allows several control and regulation processes to be carried out separately or together in connection with the operation of the machine.

In principle, it is advantageous if the off-grid energy source comprises a current and/or voltage source, in particular an accumulator. In principle, other energy sources, such as fuel cells, would also be possible, but an accumulator is particularly easy to handle and inexpensive.

According to the invention, it is further provided to operate a surgical machine in such a way that the control and/or the motor circuit are closed in an operating position with a closing unit in which the motor can be operated, and that the control and/or the motor circuit are interrupted in an interruption position with the closing unit in which the motor cannot be operated, and that the closing unit, which has been transferred from the interruption position to the operating position, is held in the operating position during a holding interval (At _Halt ) by means of a closed position holding device.

By interrupting one or both circuits, the mains-independent energy source is separated from the motor and/or the control and regulation unit, so that self-discharge of the energy source is prevented. The closed position holding device enables

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the control and/or motor circuit remain closed so that the motor can be operated. In addition, after the holding interval has elapsed, the locking unit goes into the interruption position so that the control and/or motor circuit are interrupted, thereby preventing self-discharge of the energy source.

It is particularly advantageous if the locking unit, which in an unactuated state assumes the interrupted position, is actuated and in the actuated state assumes the operating position for an operating interval (At _operation ), in which the motor is operated as long as the locking unit is actuated. A prerequisite for operating the motor is that the locking unit assumes the operating position. The duration of the operating interval can therefore correspond to the time in which the locking unit is in the operating position, or it can be shorter. It is also possible for several operating intervals to be adjacent to one another or separated from one another while the locking unit is in the operating position. This ensures that the motor can only be operated in the operating position, whereas the energy source is protected from self-discharge in the interrupted position.

It is advantageous if the locking unit is operated magnetically. Such contactless operation prevents the locking unit from becoming dirty.

&iacgr; ·

·« «art

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Advantageously, it can be provided that at least one first switch closes the control and/or motor circuit in the operating position and interrupts it in the interruption position. With such a switch, the two circuits can be separated individually or separately in a particularly simple manner.

According to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one first switch is held in the operating position by at least one second switch. In this way, two functions can be separated from one another, on the one hand the interruption of one or both circuits and the maintenance of the operating position.

It is advantageous if the at least one switch is actuated by the control and regulating unit. In this way, the at least one first switch can be actuated indirectly via the at least one second switch via the control and regulating unit.

It is advantageous if the stopping interval (At _Halt ) is specified. In this way, any duration of the stopping interval can be specified and special requirements related to the use of the machine can be taken into account.

Preferably, the stopping interval (At _Halt ) is specified by the control and regulation unit. For example,

- 10

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The length of the holding interval can be set via the control and regulation unit.

According to the invention, it is advantageous if the start of the holding interval (At _Halt ) is predetermined by the start of the operating interval (At _Betrleb ). In this way, the operating position can be maintained for the duration of the holding interval at the same time as the engine of the machine is running.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the beginning of the holding interval (At _Halt ) is predetermined by the end of the operating interval (At _Operation ). In this way, after an operating interval, the machine is held in the operating position for a maximum of the duration of the holding interval. The machine then goes into the interruption position, which prevents the energy source from discharging.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawing. They show:

Figure 1: A schematic diagram of a surgical machine;

Figure 2: a schematic diagram of a

Closing unit in conjunction with a closing position holding device;

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Figure 3: a circuit diagram section of a machine control system; and

Figures 4a to 4d:

temporal progression of switching states depending on a speed setting signal.

Figure 1 shows the block diagram of a control system for a battery-operated surgical machine. The machine comprises a 9.6 volt battery 10 as a mains-independent energy source, which is connected via an electronic switch 14 with a time-controlled self-holding function to a 5 volt power supply 16 and via this to a microprocessor 18 and also serves as an energy source for this.

The accumulator 10 is connected directly to a power control 22 via a supply line 20 or can be connected indirectly to the same via a supply line 21 shown in dashed lines in Figure 1 via the switch 14. The power control 22 comprises a power field effect transistor output stage 26 which is operated by a driver stage 24 which is controlled by the microprocessor 18.

A motor 12 is connected to the power control 22. To operate the motor 12, a speed sensor 28 for clockwise rotation of the motor 12, a speed sensor 29 for anti-clockwise rotation of the motor 12 and a sensor 30 for oscillating operation of the

• · «ti

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Motor 12 is provided. The speed sensors 28 and 29 transmit a speed setting signal for clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation to the microprocessor 18 via signal lines 32 and 33.

The speed sensors 28 and 29 are coupled to the electronic switch 14 via magnetic couplings 34 and 35, respectively. Due to the magnetic couplings 34 and 35, for example, by magnets arranged on one of the speed sensors 28 or 29, when the speed sensors 28 or 29 are actuated, their actuation is forwarded to the switch 14 and this is actuated.

Furthermore, a neutralization unit 36 is connected between the switch 14 and a neutralization input of the microprocessor 18, which on the one hand monitors an operating voltage and on the other hand, as a result of the switch 14 being switched through, establishes a neutral or basic state of the microprocessor 18 in the latter.

The microprocessor 18 comprises a timing element 38 which is associated with a control line 40 via which the microprocessor 18 influences the switch 14.

Furthermore, Hall sensors 42 are arranged in the area of the motor 12 in order to transmit its speed via signal lines 44, 45 and 46 to a speed detection unit 48, with which a motor speed is determined and a

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Engine speed signal is transmitted to the microprocessor 18 via data lines 50, 51 and 52.

The functionality of the machine control is explained using the block diagram in Figure 1.

As a result of an actuation of one of the two speed sensors 28 or 29, this process is forwarded via the magnetic couplings 34 or 35 to the switch 14, whereupon the latter connects the accumulator 10 via the 5 volt power supply 16 to the microprocessor 18, which is transferred to its basic position by the neutralization unit 36.

At the same time, the power control 22 is connected to the accumulator 10 either directly via the supply line 20 or indirectly via the supply line. The motor 12 then rotates either clockwise or counterclockwise according to the specified speed.

If a speed setting is withdrawn via the speed sensor 28 or 29, the switch 14 remains in its actuated state until a holding interval (At _Halt ) that is set by the timer 38 and stored therein has expired. The expiration of the holding interval (Ät _Halt ) is transmitted to the switch 14 via the control line 40, whereupon the latter returns to its basic state, i.e. it disconnects the accumulator 10 from the 5 volt power supply 16, the neutralization unit and the power control 22.

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Due to this circuit arrangement, the microprocessor 18 is only supplied with energy from the accumulator 10 until the holding interval (At _Halt ) has expired. In this way, self-discharge of the accumulator 10 is prevented.

The structure of the switch 14 and its mode of operation are explained in more detail in connection with the block diagram shown in Figure 2.

The accumulator 10 is connected to the microprocessor 18 via a first electronic switch, namely a transistor 54. It is assigned to a reed switch 56 via a connection 58, via which it can be actuated. This works together with the magnets arranged on the speed sensors 28 and 29 to realize the magnetic couplings 34 and 35, respectively.

The microprocessor 80 is connected to the timer 38 via control lines 60 and 61. For example, the timer 38 can be operated by the microprocessor 18 via the control line 61, and the expiration of a time interval At that can be preset in the timer 38 is reported back to the microprocessor 18 via the control line 61. In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the timer 38 is an integral part of the microprocessor 18 and the time interval At can be specified and triggered by program control.

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The microprocessor 18 is connected via the control line 40 to a holding transistor 64, which can also actuate the transistor 54.

By operating the reed switch 56, the transistor 54 becomes conductive, so that a connection is established between the accumulator 10 via the transistor 54 and the microprocessor 18. At the same time, the microprocessor 18 switches the holding transistor 64 through, which then keeps the transistor 54 in the conductive state until the timer 38 reports the expiration of the holding interval Δt to the microprocessor 18, whereupon the latter transfers the holding transistor 64 to the non-conductive state, which in turn leads to a transition of the transistor 54 from the conductive to the non-conductive state via the control line 62.

According to the circuit diagram section of a motor control shown in Figure 3, a positive pole of the accumulator 10 is connected to the negative pole via two series-connected resistors 66 and 67 via the reed switch 56. The two resistors 66 and 67 form a voltage divider with a further resistor 68 connected in series with the holding transistor 64. The positive pole of the accumulator 10 is connected to the 5 volt power supply 16 via the switching path of the transistor 54, which in turn is connected to a contact point 70, to which 5 volts are applied when the control is in operation. The values of the resistors 66, 67 and 68 are selected so that when the reed switch 56 is switched through, a voltage is applied to the gate 72 of the transistor 54.

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to turn the transistor 54 on. The reed switch 56 and the holding transistor are therefore connected in parallel.

The 5 volt power supply 16 is connected to ground via two ground connections 74, just as the contact point 70 is connected via two capacitors 76 and 77 connected in parallel. The microprocessor 18 is connected to the 5 volt power supply 16 via a contact point 78. It has six control lines 80 for controlling the power control 22. It also has three inputs for the data lines 50, 51 and 52 and is connected to ground via a ground line 82. The microprocessor 18 is connected via the control line 40 to a resistor 84 connected upstream of a base of the holding transistor 64. A resistor 85 and a capacitor 86 are connected in parallel to the base-emitter path of the holding transistor 64.

Actuation of the reed switch 56 leads to the switching of the transistor 54 through the appropriate selection of the voltage divider, whereupon the microprocessor 18 is connected to the 5 volt power supply 16 and goes into its basic position. With the speed sensors 28 and 29, a speed target signal can be sent to the microprocessor via signal lines 32 and 33, which controls the motor 12 via the control lines 80.

The connection to the 5 volt power supply simultaneously leads to the control of the holding transistor 64 via the control line 40. This holds the transistor 54

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even when the reed switch 56 is not actuated due to their parallel connection in the conductive state, until a holding time At _Halt preset in the microprocessor 18, for example 10 minutes, has elapsed.

After the holding time At _Halt has elapsed, the holding transistor 64 changes to a non-conductive state, which in turn causes the transistor 54 to change to its non-conductive state if the reed switch 56 is not actuated at that time. As a result, the 5 volt power supply 16 is disconnected from the accumulator 10 and thereby the power supply to the microprocessor 18 is also interrupted. The surgical machine is now in the interruption position. In order to change to its operating position in which the motor 12 can be actuated via the speed sensors 28 and 29, the reed switch 56 serving as the actuating element must first be actuated, which results in a transition to the operating position, and this continues until the predetermined holding time At _Halt has elapsed.

The functionality of the motor control is explained in more detail in connection with the time courses shown in Figures 4a to 4d.

Figure 4a shows a speed sensor signal 88, which is provided by the two speed sensors 28 and 29.

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As soon as the speed sensor signal 88 returns to zero, a holding time At _Halt is started.

In Figure 4b, the motor speed signal 90 is plotted as a function of time, both for a counterclockwise and a clockwise rotation of the motor 12. The motor speed signal is temporally correlated with the speed sensor signal 88 and similar thereto.

Figures 4c and 4d show the switching states of the transistor 54 and the transistor 56, respectively. The speed sensors 28 and 29, each provided with a magnet, actuate the reed switch 56 as soon as the speed sensor signal 88 is different from zero, whereupon, as already explained in more detail above, the transistor 54 changes to its conductive state, which in turn activates the holding transistor 56, which holds the transistor 54 in its conductive state.

Each time the speed sensor signal 88 returns to zero, the holding time At _Halt is started. After the holding time At _Halt has elapsed, the holding transistor 56 becomes non-conductive, whereupon the transistor 54 also changes from its conductive to a non-conductive state. Only when the speed sensors 28 and 29 are actuated again does the motor control system activate, i.e. the two transistors 54 and 56 become conductive again and after the holding time At _Halt has elapsed after the last actuation of the speed sensors 28 and 29, they become non-conductive.

Claims (18)

1. Surgical machine with a motor, with a mains-independent energy source for supplying energy to the motor via a motor circuit and with a control and regulating unit assigned to the motor via a control circuit, characterized in that a closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) is provided, that the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) closes the control and/or the motor circuit in an operating position in which the motor ( 12 ) can be operated, that the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) interrupts the control and/or the motor circuit in an interruption position in which the motor ( 12 ) cannot be operated, that a closed position holding device ( 18 , 38 , 64 ) is provided and that with the closed position holding device ( 18 , 38 , 64 ) the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) transferred from the interruption position to the operating position can be held in the operating position during a holding interval (Δt _Halt ). 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) is operable, that the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) assumes the interruption position in an unactuated state and that the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) assumes the operating position in an actuated state for an operating interval (Δt _operation ) in which the motor ( 12 ) is operated. 3. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuating element ( 28 , 29 , 56 ) is provided for actuating the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) in an actuating position and that the actuating element ( 28 , 29 , 56 ) returns automatically from the actuating position to a rest position in which the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) is not actuated. 4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuating element comprises a magnetically actuable switch ( 56 ). 5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the magnetically actuable switch is a reed switch ( 56 ). 6. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) comprises at least one first switch ( 54 ) and that the switch ( 54 ) closes the control and/or the motor circuit in the operating position and interrupts the control and/or the motor circuit in the interruption position. 7. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed position holding device ( 18 , 38 , 64 ) comprises at least one second switch ( 64 ) for holding the at least one first switch ( 54 ) in the operating position. 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one second switch ( 64 ) can be actuated by the control and regulating unit ( 18 ). 9. Machine according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one first and/or the at least one second switch is formed by an electronic switch ( 54 , 64 ), in particular by a transistor. 10. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing unit ( 18 , 38 , 54 , 64 ) comprises a timer ( 38 ) for specifying the holding interval (Δt _Halt ). 11. Machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the timer ( 38 ) can be activated by the control and regulating unit ( 18 ). 12. Machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the control and regulating unit ( 18 ) comprises the timing element ( 38 ). 13. Machine according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the timing element ( 38 ) is associated with the closed position holding device ( 18 , 38 , 64 ). 14. Machine according to one of claims 10 to 13, insofar as these are directly or indirectly related to claim 4, characterized in that the timer ( 38 ) can be activated by the actuating element ( 56 ). 15. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the timer ( 38 ) can be activated by a transition of the actuating element ( 56 ) from the actuating position to the rest position. 16. Machine according to one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that the actuating element ( 28 , 29 , 56 ) comprises at least one speed sensor unit ( 28 , 29 ) assigned to the control and regulating unit ( 18 ) for specifying a target speed of the engine ( 12 ). 17. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control and regulating unit comprises a microprocessor control ( 18 ). 18. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mains-independent energy source comprises a current and/or voltage source ( 10 ), in particular an accumulator.