Pneumatic Surgical Instrument with Electrical Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatically powered surgical stapling devices face challenges such as complex component transmission, lack of gas pressure monitoring, limited electrical control, and inadequate feedback mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies and potential tissue damage during procedures.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electrical control system with pneumatic actuators to manage gas flow rates and pressure, along with sensors and feedback mechanisms to provide real-time feedback and recording capabilities, ensuring precise tissue engagement and stapling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pneumatic power source is used to actuate cutting and stapling functions, then the instrument can be powered without batteries or manual cranks, but the device requires a large cylinder to store sufficient pressurized gas or operates at undesirably high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source function by connecting the surgical instrument to an external hospital pneumatic supply system, removing the need for an on-board gas cylinder. This allows the instrument to operate without carrying a large pressurized gas storage device while maintaining adequate power supply throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed to interface with the universal hospital pneumatic infrastructure, allowing it to leverage existing facility resources rather than requiring a dedicated portable power source. This multi-functional approach enables the device to operate using the hospital's existing compressed gas systems.
2Ease of operation
If complex component transmission is used to transfer pneumatic motion to the end effector, then the device can be pneumatically actuated, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission components with a more streamlined system that uses flexible coupling and direct pneumatic actuation. This substitution reduces the number of intermediate mechanical parts while maintaining the ability to transfer pneumatic motion effectively to the end effector.
3Device complexity
If no gas pressure monitoring is implemented, then the device structure remains simple, but the surgeon cannot monitor the amount of gas remaining or pressure levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pressure sensors and monitoring systems that provide real-time feedback to the surgeon about gas pressure levels and remaining capacity. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to monitor the pneumatic system status without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
4Ease of operation
If no electrical control mechanisms are integrated, then the pneumatic system remains simple to operate, but the rate of gas release and pressurization cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control capabilities that allow the surgeon to adjust the rate of gas release and pressurization in real-time. This is achieved through controllable valves and flow regulators that respond to surgeon inputs, enabling precise control over the pneumatic actuation speed and force.
Data Source
AI summary
A status module for use with a pneumatically powered surgical instrument includes at least one sensor and a housing structured and arranged to releasably connect to the pneumatically powered surgical instrument. At least one contact is connected to the pneumatically powered surgical instrument. Each individual contact is structured and arranged to be in electrical communication with a different sensor when the housing is connected to the pneumatically powered surgical instrument. The at least one sensor is fluidically coupled to the pneumatically powered surgical instrument. A circuit is in electrical communication with the least one contact and at least one of a plurality of indicators.