Sensor film for endoscopic instruments

Abstract

An endoscopic instrument for use with a trocar, said endoscopic instrument comprising an elongate shaft body having a proximal end and a distal end; an end effector assembly at said distal end operable by manipulation of actuator mechanism at said proximal end; a substrate core having a first surface and a second surface; at least one sensing element on said first surface, said at least one sensing element located adjacent to said distal end; an electronics module for receiving sensed signals from said at least one sensing element, said electronics module located adjacent to said proximal end;a first conductive layer residing on said first surface, said first conductive layer having first solder mask coated thereon; a second conductive layer residing on said second surface, second conductive layer having a second solder mask coated thereon, and wherein said second conductive layer coupled to said at least one sensing element relays said sensed signals from said at least one sensing element to said electronics module and said a first conductive layer is grounded.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to endoscopic surgery, and more particularly to endoscopic instruments associated with one or more sensors. Background technique [0002] Traditional open surgery uses surgical tools and techniques that place the surgeon in direct contact with tissue at the surgical site. Thus, the surgeon is able to estimate the amount of force it applies to the often delicate tissue while operating with the aid of the surgical tool. Often, applying too much force to the tissue can result in injury (such as bruising, tearing, or worse). While traditional open surgery gives the surgeon some control over the forces on the tools, this type of surgery requires extensive dissection to reach the internal surgical site. To significantly reduce the amount of dissection required to access the surgical site, traditional surgery is being replaced by endoscopic surgery. [0003] Endoscopic surgery is a surgical procedure in which a long, thin tool...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, these sheaths are too thick to fit between existing endoscopic instruments and trocars of their intended size, so the next larger size trocar must be used, or the trocar must be redesigned or instruments to accommodate the increased volume

Also, the sheath is an additional item that must be sterilized, and since the sheath is not in full contact with the shaft of the instrument, sensor readings may not be recorded, and therefore some time periods may be missing sensor readings

This inconsistency in sensor readings makes this method unreliable and inappropriate

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