Articulating Powered Surgical Instrument Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers require significant manual force for clamping and deploying surgical fasteners, leading to surgeon fatigue, and lack advanced user control and feedback mechanisms, especially in articulating tool assemblies used in endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A powered surgical instrument with an articulating tool assembly and an articulation mechanism controlled by a motor, switches, and sensors, allowing for precise articulation and lock-out features to prevent accidental activation, and providing multiple commands for controlling the stapling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If manual force is used to clamp tissue and deploy surgical fasteners, then the surgical instrument can perform basic stapling functions, but the surgeon's hand becomes fatigued after repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system with an electric motor-powered system. The motor drives the clamping and fastener deployment mechanisms, eliminating the need for the surgeon to apply repeated manual force. This substitution directly addresses the fatigue problem while maintaining the stapling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered surgical instrument performs the clamping and fastening actions autonomously once activated by the surgeon. The motor automatically executes the mechanical work of tissue clamping and fastener deployment without requiring continuous manual intervention, allowing the instrument to serve itself in performing the repetitive mechanical tasks.
2Ease of operation
If a single switch is used to activate the motor, then the device is simple to operate, but the user has limited control over the stapling process
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent switches, each controlling a specific function or stage of the stapling process. This allows the surgeon to control clamping, fastener deployment, and other functions separately, providing fine-grained control while maintaining simple switch-based operation for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system transitions from a static single-switch design to a dynamic multi-switch configuration that adapts to different surgical needs. The multiple switches enable the surgeon to dynamically adjust the operation sequence and control parameters based on the specific surgical situation, enhancing versatility while keeping each control element simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the articulating tool assembly can be articulated to various angles, then access to surgical sites is improved, but accidental activation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary protective actions through multiple switch requirements and interlock mechanisms before activation. The articulation and firing functions are protected by requiring specific switch combinations or sequences, preventing accidental activation while maintaining full articulation capability for accessing difficult surgical sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the state of switches and articulation position before allowing activation. This feedback ensures that the instrument only fires when properly positioned and intentionally activated, preventing accidental deployment while preserving the full range of articulation motion for surgical access.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a handle portion and a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument includes an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end. The articulating tool assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion and is configured to be articulated with respect to the body portion, namely, the articulating tool assembly is movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly.