Surgical End-Effector Control Updates for Adaptive Jaw Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical imaging systems often fail to recognize and convey concealed structures, physical contours, and dimensions within a three-dimensional space, and may be unable to communicate certain information to clinicians during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A powered surgical end-effector with a controllable jaw, updatable memory, and processor that operates in different modes based on default and alternative actuation algorithms, and a surgical hub that determines the mode of operation and sends updated data to the end-effector for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional imaging system is used to view the surgical site, then the system structure remains simple, but the system fails to recognize and convey concealed structures, physical contours, and dimensions within a three-dimensional space
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical end-effector is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a surgical tool for tissue manipulation and as an imaging device with sensors that capture three-dimensional spatial information. The processor integrates both surgical control and image recognition functions, allowing the system to convey concealed structures, physical contours, and dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the processor operates according to a default actuation algorithm, then the system maintains stable and predictable operation, but the system cannot adapt to new surgical information or improve performance based on received data
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is designed to dynamically switch between different operational modes. It can operate in a first mode using a default actuation algorithm for stable, predictable operations, and switch to a second mode using an alternative actuation algorithm when new surgical information is received. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to improve performance while maintaining reliability through the availability of a proven default algorithm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where surgical information is continuously received and processed. Based on this feedback, the processor can determine whether to switch between the default and alternative actuation algorithms, allowing the system to adapt to changing surgical conditions while maintaining operational stability through controlled transitions between modes.
3Manufacturing precision
If the end-effector operates with fixed functionality, then the device complexity remains low, but the system cannot enhance precision and effectiveness by adapting to received surgical information
Solution Approach 1:
The end-effector integrates multiple functions including surgical manipulation, image capture through sensors, and adaptive control through the processor. This multi-functionality enables the device to enhance surgical precision by adapting to received information while consolidating these functions into a single integrated tool, thereby managing complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples herein describes a powered surgical end-effector that may include a controllable jaw configured to operate on a tissue, an updatable memory having stored therein a default actuation algorithm, and and a processor. The processor may be configured to operate in a first mode at a first time, wherein in the first mode the processor may be configured to operate an aspect of the controllable jaw according to the default actuation algorithm. The processor may receive data at a second time, after the first time, that may cause the processor to operate in a second mode, wherein in the second mode the processor may be configured to operate an aspect of the controllable jaw according to an alternative actuation algorithm.