Fluid-Actuated Endoscopic Stapler with Pressure Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue-stapling devices lack precise control over tissue acquisition, compression, and stapling, making it difficult to achieve reproducible and optimized stapled plications, especially in remote intra-oral procedures like stomach tissue folding, where manual intervention is limited.
Innovation Solution
A controller system for a surgical stapler that uses fluid sources and sensors to control the movement of staple and anvil members, including a first switch for initiating fluid supply to move the members toward each other, a pressure sensor for ensuring preselected pressure, and a second switch for driving staples through tissue, ensuring precise tissue acquisition and stapling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual operation is used for tissue acquisition and stapling, then the device can be operated with simple control mechanisms, but it is difficult to achieve reproducible and optimized stapled plications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using pressure sensors to detect tissue compression pressure and volume displacement sensors to monitor tissue acquisition. The controller receives these sensor signals and automatically adjusts fluid delivery to maintain optimal compression pressure and tissue acquisition volume, ensuring reproducible stapled plications without requiring complex manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation through automatic control algorithms that monitor sensor feedback and independently adjust fluid delivery parameters. The controller automatically manages the compression and stapling process based on real-time sensor data, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention while maintaining high reproducibility.
2Measurement precision
If fluid pressure control is used to move staple and anvil members, then precise tissue compression can be achieved, but the system requires multiple fluid sources and complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single fluid delivery system that serves multiple functions: it controls both the movement of the staple member and the anvil member, and it manages both tissue acquisition and compression phases. The controller intelligently directs fluid to appropriate actuators based on the operational phase, reducing the need for separate complex fluid systems while maintaining precise pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic actuators driven by controlled fluid delivery to translate fluid pressure into precise mechanical movement of staple and anvil members. The fluid pressure control system is integrated with sensor feedback to automatically regulate compression force, achieving precise measurement control through hydraulic actuation without requiring overly complex mechanical linkages.
3Reliability
If automatic control is implemented with sensors and fluid sources, then reproducible stapling can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates multiple sensor feedback loops including pressure sensors for tissue compression monitoring and volume displacement sensors for tissue acquisition monitoring. These feedback signals enable the controller to automatically adjust fluid delivery parameters in real-time, ensuring reliable and consistent stapling outcomes while maintaining a manageable system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with a fluid-based actuation system controlled by electronic feedback loops. Instead of using complex mechanical linkages and manual controls, the system uses controlled fluid delivery to actuators, regulated by electronic sensors and a microcontroller, achieving high reliability with reduced mechanical 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
The controller system enables precise control over tissue acquisition and stapling, allowing for reproducible and optimized tissue plications with automatic or user-initiated functions, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving the reliability of the stapling process.
Implementation Method 1
first and second fluid sources adapted to supplying pressurized fluid from the first and second fluid-carrying conduits in the shaft to the first and second pistons, respectively
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
An endoscopic stapler 22 is disclosed. The stapler includes a staple member 50 and an anvil member 58. The staple member may include a staple housing 52 and the staple holder 54 may include one or more staples. The anvil member may be spaced apart from the staple member and may configured to relatively move towards one another. A controller 170 may be fluidly coupled to the staple member through a plurality of conduits. The controller may be configured to (a) direct a pressurized fluid to the staple member through a first conduit of the plurality of conduits to relatively move the staple member and the anvil member towards one another, and (b) direct the pressurize fluid through a second conduit of the plurality of conduits to eject one or more staples from the staple holder.