Strain-Gauge Clip Applier Control for Consistent Crimping Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for applying clips to tissue lack efficient mechanisms for sequential and precise deployment of clips, leading to difficulties in consistent clamping force application and tissue manipulation during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clip applier with a rotary drive system that includes a firing drive and crimping drive, utilizing a clip cartridge with a biasing member and lockout mechanism to advance and deform clips, ensuring consistent deployment and clamping force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rotary drive system with firing and crimping drives is used, then clip deployment precision and consistency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the firing drive and crimping drive into a single rotary drive system that operates through sequential rotational movements. The drive shaft integrates both functions, where rotation first advances the clip via the firing drive, then deforms it via the crimping drive, reducing the need for separate actuation mechanisms and simplifying overall device architecture while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary drive system employs dynamic sequential activation where the drive shaft rotates to first engage the firing mechanism for clip advancement, then continues rotation to engage the crimping mechanism for deformation. This dynamic sequencing allows a single rotating component to perform multiple precise functions that would otherwise require separate static mechanisms
2Reliability
If a lockout mechanism with biasing member is used, then reliability of clip deployment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is pre-loaded in a compressed state within the lockout mechanism, storing potential energy ready for deployment. When triggered, this pre-biased member automatically advances the clip through the firing channel and deforms it, ensuring reliable deployment without requiring complex active actuation systems or multiple control steps
Solution Approach 2:
The lockout mechanism with biasing member operates autonomously once initiated. The stored elastic energy in the biasing member self-propels the clip advancement and deformation processes, and the lockout feature automatically prevents premature or accidental deployment, providing built-in reliability without external control systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables precise and consistent application of clips to tissue, improving surgical precision and efficiency by ensuring reliable clip deployment and clamping force, reducing manual effort and minimizing tissue manipulation errors.
Implementation Method 1
the control system includes a strain gauge circuit operably coupled to the shaft and configured to detect strain on the shaft
Implementation Method 2
The adaptive control system can be configured to adjust operation of the motor in response to the output from the strain gauge circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical clip applier comprising an electric motor system is disclosed. The electric motor system is configured to drive a clip firing system of the surgical clip applier. The surgical clip applier further comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor system. The control system is configured to monitor a strain gauge circuit to assess the crimping force experienced by the clip firing system. In at least one instance, one or more strain gauges are mounted to a drive shaft and/or jaw of the clip firing system. The control system modifies the operation of the surgical clip applier when the voltage of the strain gauge circuit exceeds and/or falls below a threshold. In at least one instance, the control system modulates the width, or duration, of voltage pulses applied to the electric motor system to control the speed of the electric motor system.