Autonomous Surgical Device Actuation via Tissue Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical systems and devices rely heavily on healthcare professionals for control during procedures, lacking the capability for autonomous operation, which limits their effectiveness in performing surgical tasks independently.
Innovation Solution
The development of surgical devices capable of autonomous operation, utilizing discrete and continuous signals based on algorithms for clamping, cutting, and energy application, with adjustments made based on tissue measurements such as tension and collagen-to-elastin ratios, allowing for autonomous decision-making within predefined boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If surgical devices are designed to operate autonomously using algorithms and sensors, then the extent of automation and surgical precision are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into distinct functional modules: a controller that receives discrete signals and executes autonomous operations, sensors that measure tissue properties (collagen-to-elastin ratios, tissue tension), and actuators that perform surgical tasks. This segmentation allows complex autonomous functionality to be achieved through coordinated simple modules, managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical device performs self-adjustment based on real-time tissue measurements. The controller autonomously modifies clamping force, firing sequence, and energy application parameters without continuous human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in optimizing surgical parameters based on measured tissue characteristics.
2Manufacturing precision
If continuous force application is used for tissue clamping, then the manufacturing precision and tissue handling quality are improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously measure tissue properties during clamping and provides feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts the clamping force to maintain optimal tissue handling quality while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding excessive or sustained high-force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adapts the force magnitude based on real-time tissue measurements and surgical conditions, allowing precise force application only when and where needed, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high precision tissue handling.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and measurements are integrated for autonomous decision-making, then the reliability of autonomous operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality, where sensors serve multiple purposes: measuring tissue tension, determining collagen-to-elastin ratios, and providing feedback for force adjustment. This universal approach allows reliable autonomous operation through comprehensive tissue characterization without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are described herein for autonomous operation of a surgical device within a predefined boundary. A discrete signal associated with clamping control (e.g., closure of a clamping jaw) may be received by the surgical device. The discrete signal may be triggered by a healthcare professional or autonomously activated. The surgical device, in response to the discrete signal and based on an algorithm, may generate a continuous signal to cause a continuous application of force or deployment of an operation. The surgical device, based at least on a measurement associated with one of tissue, inrush current, or the distance between the smart energy device and the smart grasper may determine a safety adjustment associated with the operation of the surgical device.