Flex Circuit Sensing for Adaptive Surgical Instrument Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments lack advanced control systems that can adapt to real-time surgical conditions and patient data, leading to inefficiencies and potential complications during procedures.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sensing circuit within surgical instruments, such as strain gages, to modify their operation based on real-time feedback, combined with a control algorithm that adjusts default settings for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical instruments are used without advanced control systems, then device simplicity is maintained, but surgical precision and adaptability to real-time conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested architecture where the flex circuit board is integrated within the elongated body of the surgical instrument. The flex circuit contains multiple sensing circuits (strain gages, temperature sensors, humidity sensors) that are embedded within the instrument structure, allowing advanced sensing capabilities to be nested within the existing instrument form factor without significantly increasing external complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flex circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, electrical connectivity, and houses various sensing circuits (strain gages for force measurement, temperature sensors for thermal monitoring, humidity sensors for environmental conditions). This multi-functionality allows a single component to deliver enhanced surgical precision across multiple parameters without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Reliability
If sensing circuits are integrated into surgical instruments, then real-time adaptability and surgical safety are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single flex circuit board assembly. Strain gages, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors are all integrated onto the same flex circuit, which is then installed as one component within the surgical instrument. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations compared to implementing separate sensing systems for each parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing circuits monitor multiple physical parameters (strain, temperature, humidity) and convert them into electrical signals that can be processed by the control system. By changing various physical parameters into a统一的可处理信号形式，the system achieves comprehensive monitoring without requiring fundamentally different sensing mechanisms for each parameter, simplifying the overall manufacturing approach
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensing circuits are implemented, then measurement precision and real-time feedback capability are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places specific sensing circuits at strategic locations within the surgical instrument based on where they are most needed. For example, strain gages are positioned at the end effector where tissue manipulation forces are applied, temperature sensors are located near energy delivery components, and humidity sensors are placed in the operating cavity. This localized placement provides high measurement precision where critical while avoiding unnecessary sensors elsewhere, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
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
Enhances the precision and safety of surgical procedures by allowing instruments to adapt to changing conditions, improving tissue manipulation, grasping, clipping, and suturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The control circuit may include a strain gage
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a surgical instrument is disclosed. In at least one instance, the surgical instrument comprises a shroud and the operation of the surgical instrument is modified based on input from a sensing circuit configured to sense a parameter of the shroud. In certain instances, the surgical instrument comprises a strain gage circuit and the operation of the surgical instrument is modified based on input from the strain gage circuit.