Surgical End Effector Closure Control for Consistent Tissue Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust closure parameters in real-time based on perioperative information and sensed tissue conditions, leading to suboptimal tissue compression and stapling performance.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system with a motor-driven end effector that adjusts closure rate and threshold parameters based on real-time sensor feedback and perioperative data, utilizing a control circuit connected to a cloud-based system for data processing and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If closure parameters are fixed and not adjusted in real-time, then the device complexity is reduced, but the tissue compression consistency and stapling precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestapling precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure rate of change parameter and closure threshold parameter are made dynamically adjustable during the surgical procedure. The control circuit receives real-time sensor signals indicating tissue compression conditions and automatically adjusts these parameters to optimize stapling precision for different tissue types and surgical scenarios, transitioning from static to dynamic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor is integrated into the end effector to detect real-time closure parameters and tissue compression conditions. The sensor transmits signals to the control circuit, which processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the closure rate of change parameter and closure threshold parameter to maintain optimal stapling precision throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If closure parameters are adjusted dynamically based on sensor feedback, then the tissue compression consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue compression consistencyVSAvoidsensor and control circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit is configured to automatically adjust closure parameters based on sensor feedback without requiring manual intervention from the surgeon. The system self-regulates by receiving sensor signals indicating tissue compression conditions and autonomously modifying the closure rate of change parameter and closure threshold parameter to maintain consistent tissue compression throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical adjustment of closure parameters by the surgeon is replaced with an automated electronic control system. The control circuit processes sensor signals and electronically adjusts motor-driven closure parameters, substituting manual mechanical control with automated electro-mechanical control to achieve more precise and consistent tissue compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If real-time parameter adjustment is implemented, then the adaptability to varying tissue conditions is improved, but the loss of time for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to tissue conditionsVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit is pre-programmed with algorithms and decision logic that enable it to process sensor signals and determine appropriate parameter adjustments automatically during the surgical procedure. This preliminary configuration of control logic allows for rapid real-time adaptation to varying tissue conditions without requiring complex on-the-fly calculations or manual decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3506273B1Systems for adjusting end effector parameters based on perioperative information
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 ETHICON INC
  • EP3506273B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3506273B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3506273B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A surgical system includes a surgical instrument, an end effector, a control circuit, and a sensor configured to transmit a sensor signal indicative of a closure parameter of the end effector. The control circuit is configured to adjust a closure rate of change parameter and the closure threshold parameter based on perioperative information received from one or more data sources and a sensor signal received from the sensor.