Compression Gauge Cartridge for Surgical Stapler Tissue Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapler instruments lack the ability to consistently compress tissue to a predetermined thickness and measure reactionary loads, making it difficult for physicians to select the optimal staple cartridge, leading to potential under- or over-compression and inadequate hemostasis.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a compression gauge cartridge and force gauge assembly is integrated into the surgical stapler, allowing for consistent tissue compression and measurement of reactionary loads, enabling accurate selection of staple cartridges based on optimal compression forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standardized set of staple cartridges with fixed compression forces is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of tissue compression force is insufficient leading to unreliable staple selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical standardized staple cartridge system with an integrated sensor system that uses electronic measurement (force sensors, strain gauges) to detect and quantify tissue compression forces, enabling precise measurement while providing data to the control system for intelligent staple selection recommendations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor tissue compression forces during the stapling procedure, and the control system processes this data to provide real-time feedback to the operator about optimal staple cartridge selection, creating a closed-loop system that improves measurement precision
2Reliability
If the physician relies on experience or educated guess to select staple cartridge, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of achieving optimal compression force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives real-time data from force sensors about actual tissue compression forces and provides feedback recommendations to the physician about the optimal staple cartridge selection, transforming subjective experience-based decision-making into an evidence-based process that improves reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the physician's subjective experience and educated guessing with objective electronic measurement and data-driven recommendations from the control system, replacing human judgment variability with consistent sensor-based measurements that improve reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If the jaw members deflect under reactionary load from compressed tissue, then the adaptability to different tissue types is improved, but the manufacturing precision of consistent gap distance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensors detect variations in reactionary loads and gap distances caused by jaw deflection, and the control system uses this feedback to compensate for the deflection effects, maintaining precise measurement capabilities despite the mechanical flexibility needed to adapt to different tissue types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces force sensors and control algorithms as intermediaries between the mechanical jaw members and the staple cartridge selection decision, allowing the system to account for and compensate for jaw deflection effects while maintaining manufacturing precision in the measurement and recommendation process
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
This solution ensures consistent tissue compression and accurate selection of staple cartridges, reducing the risk of under- or over-compression, thereby improving hemostasis and minimizing tissue damage during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head
Data Source
AI summary
A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge bay of a cartridge jaw member of a surgical stapler instrument to compress a tissue consistently to a predetermined thickness and measure a reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body; a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head having a tissue compression ace, wherein the force gauge assembly is supported by the cartridge body, and wherein the compression head is configured and disposed so that the tissue compression face thereof lies substantially closer to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil jaw member than the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body; and a spacer member extending from the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body, wherein the force gauge assembly is positioned distally with respect to the spacer member.