Electronic Actuated Reciprocating Surgical Instrument
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumatically actuated surgical instruments lack positional control of their reciprocating components, limiting precision and control during delicate ophthalmic surgeries like vitreoretinal procedures, where precise manipulation of small tissues is required.
Innovation Solution
An electronically actuated reciprocating surgical instrument using a magnetic drive unit with a voice coil actuator, which includes positional feedback sensors, allowing for precise control of the cutter element's position and port size, enabling more precise tissue manipulation and cutting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pneumatic actuation is used to drive the reciprocating cutter, then the surgical instrument can perform cutting functions, but positional control of the cutter element is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic actuation system with an electromagnetic actuation system consisting of a voice coil actuator and permanent magnet. This substitution enables precise electronic control of the cutter element's position while maintaining the reciprocating cutting motion, thereby resolving the contradiction between cutting functionality and positional control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates positional feedback sensors that provide real-time information about the cutter element's position to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables closed-loop control, allowing the system to maintain precise positional control of the reciprocating cutter while performing cutting functions.
2Productivity
If dual pneumatic actuation inputs are used to control duty cycle, then the reciprocating motion can be generated, but precision and accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the dual pneumatic actuation system with a single electromagnetic voice coil actuator that provides both the reciprocating motion and precise positional control. This eliminates the limitations of pneumatic duty-cycle control and enables high-precision surgical operations while maintaining productive reciprocating cutting motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex equipment is used for vitreoretinal surgery, then surgical functions can be performed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation system, positional control system, and cutting mechanism into an integrated handheld vitrectomy probe. The electromagnetic actuator and feedback sensors are incorporated directly into the instrument, eliminating the need for external pneumatic actuators and compressors, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full surgical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-contained control within the handheld instrument, where the feedback sensors and electromagnetic actuator work together autonomously to provide precise positional control of the cutter element without requiring external pneumatic 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 electronic actuation provides positional control of the reciprocating component, allowing for precise control of the port size and region of influence, enhancing precision and reducing tissue damage during ophthalmic surgeries by enabling finer control over the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic coil operable to reciprocate the reciprocating surgical instrument along a longitudinal axis in response to actuation of the magnetic drive unit
Implementation Method 2
magnetic drive unit... including a permanent magnet and one or more electromagnetic coils
Data Source
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AI summary
A handheld reciprocating surgical instrument may be an electronically actuated reciprocating surgical instrument. The actuation may be provided by a magnetic drive unit. The magnetic drive unit may be a voice coil actuator (VCA). The magnetic drive unit may include positional feedback to enable positional control of a cutter element. In this manner, port-based flow control may be used to more precisely control movement of the cutter element.