Surgical End Effector Firing Speed Control From Motor Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling systems face challenges in efficiently articulating end effectors to accommodate varying tissue sizes and in managing high firing forces, which can lead to increased friction and reduced instrument lifespan due to erosion of steel components and higher operational costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a dynamic clamping assembly with angled channel and anvil engagement features and ceramic coatings to reduce friction, combined with a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized firing, enhances jaw aperture and maintains component durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If steel components are used in the firing mechanism, then high firing forces can be generated, but friction increases and component erosion occurs reducing instrument lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by coating steel firing components with ceramic material. The ceramic coating reduces friction and wear between contacting surfaces while the underlying steel structure maintains the necessary strength and firing force generation capability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining the advantages of both materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes pure mechanical steel-on-steel contact with a ceramic-coated surface that reduces mechanical friction. The ceramic coating acts as a low-friction interface that replaces the high-friction steel-steel contact, thereby reducing wear and extending component lifespan while maintaining firing force.
2Reliability
If ceramic coatings are applied to reduce friction, then component durability increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface property parameter of the steel components by applying a ceramic coating. This modifies the friction and wear characteristics of the component surfaces without fundamentally changing the bulk material properties or the overall manufacturing process flow, making the implementation more feasible.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized firing, then firing control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a locking mechanism that automatically engages and disengages based on the state of the end effector. The mechanism self-regulates by preventing firing when the end effector is not properly positioned or when safety conditions are not met, without requiring additional active control systems or complex electronic components.
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 allows for improved articulation and reduced friction, extending the lifespan of surgical instruments while maintaining high firing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
ceramic coatings to reduce friction
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system is disclosed comprising a firing member, a motor configured to advance the firing member, a current sensor, and a control system configured to set a target firing speed range of the firing member based on a current draw of the motor sensed by the current sensor, set a threshold current draw range corresponding to the target firing speed range of the firing member, advance the firing member at a firing speed within the target firing speed range, monitor a current draw of the motor as the firing member is driven, compare the monitored current draw to the threshold current draw range, and adjust the firing speed of the firing member based on the monitored current draw crossing below a first non-zero current value corresponding to the threshold current draw range or above a second non-zero current value corresponding to the threshold current draw range.