Pneumatic Surgical Stapler Manual Retraction and Gas Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatically powered surgical stapling devices face challenges such as complex component transmission, lack of power source monitoring, inefficient gas storage, and limited control over firing and retraction cycles, as well as inadequate feedback to surgeons during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a pneumatically powered drive system that allows for selective application of firing and retraction motions, featuring a handle assembly with a closure drive, elongate shaft, and end effector with a pivotally coupled anvil, enabling manual retraction and articulation, and providing tactile and visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a source of pressurized gas is used to power the surgical stapler, then the device can be actuated, but the power source becomes depleted during the surgical procedure and there is no way of monitoring the amount of gas remaining
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is provided that detects the amount of pressurized gas remaining in the source and provides feedback to the user through a display element on the device. This allows the surgeon to monitor gas levels in real-time during the procedure, preventing unexpected power depletion and allowing for timely replacement of the gas cartridge.
2Ease of operation
If a complex collection of components is used to transmit motion from the handle-mounted piston to the end effector components, then the device can function, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate transmission components from the motion transmission path. The piston in the handle directly transmits motion through a simplified linkage system to the end effector, removing complex gear trains and multiple transmission stages while maintaining full functionality.
3Productivity
If the firing mechanism is actuated pneumatically, then the firing and retraction cycles can be performed, but there is limited control over the actuation rate and timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a variable speed control mechanism that allows the surgeon to dynamically adjust the rate of piston movement and consequently control the speed of firing and retraction cycles. This provides precise temporal control over each surgical action while maintaining pneumatic actuation efficiency.
4Reliability
If no manual retraction apparatus is provided, then the device structure is simpler, but the surgeon cannot manually retract the firing mechanism if pneumatic power is lost or interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides a manual retraction apparatus that can be engaged at any time during the procedure. This backup mechanism is pre-positioned and can be activated immediately if pneumatic power is lost, allowing the surgeon to complete the surgical cycle without interruption. The manual apparatus uses a simple cable-pulley system that provides mechanical advantage for retraction.
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 control and monitoring of the surgical process, allows for efficient gas storage, and provides reliable manual retraction of the firing mechanism, improving surgical precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A surgical instrument is provided that employs a bellows assembly that is actuated by a source of pressurized gas
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument for use in connection with a pneumatically powered tool having a firing mechanism operably supported therein that is movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. In various embodiments, a drive system operably communicates with the pneumatically powered tool and is configured to selectively apply at least a drive system generated firing motion to the firing mechanism of the pneumatically powered tool to cause the firing mechanism to move from the unactuated position to the actuated position in response to a flow of gas from a source of gas fluidically coupled to said drive system. A retraction member communicates with the drive system to enable a manually generated retraction motion to be applied thereto to manually move the firing mechanism in a distal direction from the actuated position to the unactuated position.