Multi-Sensor Firing Lockout for Powered Surgical Stapler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers in robotic surgical systems lack effective multi-feature monitoring systems to ensure safe and accurate firing, often relying on single-point electronic lockouts that can lead to unsafe conditions due to incorrect signals or sensor failures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple independent monitoring features, such as RFID, electrical continuity, and wedge sled sensors, to corroborate the status of staple cartridges and prevent firing in unsafe conditions, ensuring proper seating, compatibility, and spent cartridge detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent monitoring features (RFID, electrical continuity, wedge sled sensors) are implemented to corroborate cartridge status, then safety and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into multiple independent sensor assemblies, each monitoring a specific condition (RFID for cartridge identification, electrical continuity for seating status, wedge sled sensors for position verification). This segmentation allows each sensor to perform a specialized function while collectively providing comprehensive safety monitoring, resolving the contradiction between improved reliability through multiple sensors and the potential increase in device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple independent sensor assemblies are used to monitor cartridge conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple sensor assemblies that provide feedback signals to a control circuit, which processes the information and determines whether safe firing conditions exist. The RFID sensor provides feedback on cartridge identification, electrical continuity sensors provide feedback on seating status, and wedge sled sensors provide feedback on position. This multi-layered feedback mechanism enhances measurement precision by cross-verification of conditions while managing complexity through centralized control circuit processing.
3Device complexity
If a single-point electronic lockout is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to incorrect signals or sensor failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by incorporating multiple independent monitoring features that anticipate and prevent potential failures before they occur. Instead of relying on a single sensor that might fail, the system uses redundant monitoring (RFID, electrical continuity, wedge sled sensors) to catch potential issues in advance. The control circuit is designed to require corroboration from multiple sensors before permitting firing, creating a safety buffer that prevents incorrect signals from causing unsafe conditions.
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 safety and accuracy of surgical stapling procedures by minimizing unsatisfactory performance and preventing errors, ensuring that staple cartridges are properly seated and not spent before firing, thereby maintaining tissue integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an RFID sensor assembly configured to detect a status of the staple cartridge
Implementation Method 2
an electrical continuity sensor assembly configured to detect whether the staple cartridge is seated on the lower jaw
Implementation Method 3
a wedge sled sensor assembly configured to detect a position of the movable member
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly and having a first jaw with an anvil and a second jaw operable to cooperate with the first jaw to clamp tissue, and a cartridge inserted into the second jaw. The cartridge includes staples, a movable member translatable distally during a firing stroke to discharge the staples into tissue, a first sensor assembly configured to monitor a first condition of the cartridge, and a second sensor assembly configured to monitor a second condition of the cartridge. A first processor is coupled with the first and second sensor assemblies and is configured to receive first and second signals from the sensor assemblies, respectively, where each signal is indicative of the respective condition of the cartridge. The first processor is configured to selectively permit or restrict the firing stroke based upon the signals.