Electrically Powered Surgical Stapler with Manual Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling devices are hand-powered, lacking electrical power to efficiently position and fire staples, and do not provide real-time feedback on tissue compression, which can lead to inadequate or excessive tissue compression during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fully electrically self-powered surgical stapler with a manual release mechanism, capable of optimizing tissue compression through feedback control and indicating the optimal compression force, allowing for precise staple firing and tissue cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hand-powered mechanism is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity and precision of staple firing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional hand-powered mechanical actuation system with an electrically-powered system. A motor-driven mechanism substitutes for manual operation, enabling automated positioning and firing of staples. This substitution increases productivity and precision while introducing electrical power sources, motors, and control circuits, thereby increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument incorporates a self-powered mechanism where the electric motor and power supply enable the device to perform its own functions without continuous manual intervention. The system can autonomously position components, apply compression force, and fire staples based on pre-programmed parameters or sensor feedback, reducing the need for manual operation while maintaining high precision.
2Measurement precision
If real-time feedback control is added, then measurement precision of tissue compression is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that measure tissue compression parameters in real-time during the stapling process. This feedback information is transmitted to a control system that monitors compression levels and can adjust the motor actuation or trigger alerts if optimal compression is not achieved. This feedback mechanism significantly improves measurement precision while adding complexity through sensors, control circuits, and data processing 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
Enables efficient and precise staple firing with optimal tissue compression, reducing the risk of tissue damage and improving surgical outcomes by providing real-time feedback and manual release functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a motor disposed within the handle and electrically powered by the power supply, a transmission connecting the motor to the moving part and operational to displace the moving part anywhere between the first and second positions when the motor is operated
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly operable to effect a surgical procedure when actuated, a part of the actuation assembly being movable between a first position and second position, and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the actuation assembly, the handle having a power supply disposed within the handle, a motor disposed within the handle and electrically powered by the power supply, a transmission connecting the motor to the moving part and operational to displace the moving part anywhere between the first and second positions when the motor is operated, and a manual release mechanism that selectively interrupts the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the first position independent of operation of the motor.