Powered Surgical Stapler Motor Control and Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers require significant manual force for clamping and deploying fasteners, leading to surgeon fatigue, and lack advanced user control and feedback mechanisms, limiting the precision and efficiency of the stapling process.
Innovation Solution
A powered surgical stapler with a motor-driven firing rod, advanced user interface including toggle switches, haptic feedback, and sensors for real-time feedback control, as well as a loading unit identification system and articulation mechanism, enabling precise control and reduced manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If manual force is used to clamp tissue and deploy fasteners, then the surgical stapler can perform basic stapling functions, but the surgeon's hand becomes fatigued after repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system with an electrical motor system. The motor-powered drive mechanism substitutes for the surgeon's hand force, eliminating physical fatigue while maintaining the stapling function. The motor converts electrical energy to mechanical motion to drive the firing rod and deploy fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a pressurized gas supply system to power the stapler. Gas pressure is stored in a reservoir and released through a trigger mechanism to drive the firing rod forward, deploying fasteners into tissue. This pneumatic system provides powerful actuation without requiring manual force from the surgeon.
2Ease of operation
If a simple trigger mechanism is used to release pressurized gas, then the device is easy to operate, but the user has limited control over the stapling process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control through a motor-powered system with variable speed and direction control. The motor can be activated in different directions to perform different surgical functions (e.g., advancing the firing rod, retracting the rod, rotating components). This dynamic control system allows the surgeon to precisely control each phase of the stapling process while maintaining ease of operation through electronic switches and controllers.
3Productivity
If motor-powered staplers with single switch control are used, then the device can be actuated, but the user has only limited control over the stapling process parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional control system where a single motor performs multiple surgical functions through bidirectional control. By switching the motor direction, the system can advance the firing rod, retract it, rotate articulation joints, and deploy different types of fasteners. This universal motor control provides extensive adaptability while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback controllers that sense operational parameters and automatically adjust motor control accordingly. Sensors detect the position of the firing rod, the state of tissue clamping, and the completion of stapling cycles, providing feedback to the controller. This closed-loop control enables precise parameter adjustment and automatic adaptation to surgical conditions, enhancing both productivity and versatility.
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 powered surgical stapler reduces manual force requirements, enhances user control through haptic and visual feedback, and improves operational efficiency by automatically adjusting parameters based on sensed feedback, thereby minimizing fatigue and improving surgical precision.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor disposed at least partially within a housing and a firing rod disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive motor. The firing rod is translated longitudinally and is rotatable by the motor about the first longitudinal axis extending therethrough.
Implementation Method 2
The stapler also includes a main drive switch which includes first and second switches formed together as a toggle switch. The first switch is adapted to activate the drive motor in a first direction and the second switch is adapted to activate the drive motor in a second direction.
Data Source
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AI summary
A powered surgical stapler comprising: an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis; a drive motor disposed within the housing; a firing rod disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive motor; a loading unit configured to be removably coupled to the endoscopic portion, the loading unit including an end effector being in mechanical cooperation with the firing rod and an identifier configured to identify the loading unit; and an interrogator configured to interface with the identifier to obtain an identifying code uniquely associated with the loading unit.