Surgical Instrument End Effector Resetting for Precise Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments face challenges in efficiently articulating and resetting end effectors to precise positions during minimally invasive procedures, leading to potential tissue damage and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a control system that includes a microcontroller and motorized articulation mechanism, allowing for precise articulation and automatic resetting of the end effector to a home state position using a combination of switches, motors, and feedback mechanisms, ensuring safe insertion and removal from the surgical site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual articulation and resetting of end effector is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates and tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms including switches (e.g., first and second switches) that detect the position of articulation components and provide signals to the control system. This feedback enables the microcontroller to determine when the end effector has reached the desired articulated position or home state, ensuring precise positioning while maintaining manageable device complexity through intelligent control rather than purely mechanical precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation resetting mechanism operates autonomously under control system direction. The microcontroller automatically commands the articulation motor to return the end effector to its home state position without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains positioning precision while reducing the need for complex manual manipulation mechanisms.
2Productivity
If automatic resetting mechanism is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it controls articulation of the end effector, manages the resetting mechanism, monitors switch positions, and coordinates motor operations. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single microcontroller-based system, the patent achieves high procedural efficiency without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the control system replaces multiple separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated motorized system controlled by a microcontroller. The articulation motor, controlled through the electronic control system, automatically positions and resets the end effector, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation mechanisms and significantly improving procedural efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If precise articulation control is used, then tissue damage is minimized, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the position of articulation components through switches and provides feedback to the microcontroller. This feedback mechanism ensures that the end effector is articulated only to the extent necessary for the surgical procedure and automatically returns to the home state position, minimizing tissue exposure and damage while simplifying operator control through automated positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector articulation and resetting system operates autonomously under control system direction. The microcontroller automatically commands the articulation motor to position the end effector precisely and then autonomously resets it to the home state, minimizing tissue damage while reducing the operational burden on the surgeon.
4Measurement precision
If motorized articulation mechanism is implemented, then positioning precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized articulation mechanism operates in periodic cycles: articulating the end effector to the required position, performing the surgical function, and then automatically resetting to the home state. This periodic operation allows the motor to remain inactive during non-movement periods, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining positioning precision when movement is required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical system comprisea a surgical instrument 1600, which can be formed from a plurality of modular components. As described in greater detail herein, a handle component can be compatible with a plurality of different shaft components and the handle component and/or the shaft components can be reusable. Moreover, a microcontroller of the surgical instrument 1600 can include a locking circuit. The locking circuit prevents actuation of the surgical instrument until the locking circuit has been unlocked. The operator can enter a temporary access code into the surgical system to unlock the locking circuit of the microcontroller.