Articulatable Drive Shaft Feedback Mechanism for Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor-driven endocutters lack user feedback for the deployment and force of the cutting instrument, leading to a lack of acceptance among physicians due to the inability to experience proportionate force distribution during the cutting/stapling operation, which is crucial for ensuring the completion of the cycle within safe and controlled limits.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a motor-driven end effector that provides user feedback through a handle mechanism, including a closure trigger and firing trigger, which allows for proportional sensor control to regulate motor rotation based on trigger movement, offering resistance and control during the cutting and stapling process, and includes a mechanical closure system with an anvil and staple cartridge for effective tissue handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If motor-driven endocutters are used to automate the cutting/stapling operation, then productivity is improved, but the surgeon loses tactile feedback and proportional force control, leading to reduced reliability and acceptance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the trigger assembly is mechanically coupled to the drive system through a transmission mechanism. As the motor drives the end effector, the transmission mechanism provides reactive force back to the trigger, allowing the surgeon to feel proportional resistance corresponding to the actual forces applied during cutting and stapling. This closed-loop feedback maintains surgical control and reliability while preserving motor-driven automation.
2Device complexity
If a motor-driven system is implemented without feedback mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but the surgeon cannot experience proportionate force distribution, worsening ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transmission mechanism as an intermediary between the motor-driven drive system and the surgeon's trigger input. This intermediary component serves dual functions: it transmits motor power to the end effector while simultaneously transmitting tactile feedback forces from the end effector back to the trigger. This intermediary enables proportional force sensing without requiring complex separate feedback sensors or systems.
3Reliability
If proportional force feedback is added to motor-driven endocutters, then reliability and surgeon acceptance improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feedback function with the existing trigger assembly and drive transmission mechanism. Rather than adding a separate feedback sensing system, the design combines the trigger's mechanical input function with the feedback transmission function. The same mechanical components that transmit motor power to the end effector also transmit reactive forces back to the trigger, creating an integrated system that provides proportional force feedback without significant additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument. The instrument also includes a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector. The instrument also includes a handle comprising a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a motor for actuating the gear drive train, a closure trigger for causing the end effector to clamp an object positioned in the end effector when the closure trigger is retracted, and a firing trigger separate from the closure trigger for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. The instrument further comprises means for articulating the end effector.