Surgical Stapler Firing Control With Predictive Force Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling and cutting instruments face challenges in efficiently controlling motor-driven firing and closure mechanisms to adapt to varying tissue conditions and user inputs, leading to inconsistent performance and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing localized firing parameter adjustments based on real-time feedback and adaptive algorithms to optimize motor control, allowing for precise and responsive tissue treatment motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional motor control methods are used for surgical stapling and cutting instruments, then the device structure remains simple, but the precision and consistency of tissue treatment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where local firing parameters (such as tissue characteristics, force measurements, or position data) are continuously monitored during the firing process. This feedback is then used to dynamically adjust motor control parameters, ensuring precise and consistent tissue treatment while adapting to varying surgical conditions. The feedback loop enables real-time optimization of staple deployment and cutting motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic motor control where firing parameters are adjusted in real-time based on local conditions during the surgical procedure. Rather than using fixed control parameters, the system adapts motor speed, torque, and positioning dynamically according to tissue characteristics and procedural progress, thereby achieving high precision while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed motor control parameters are used, then the control system remains simple, but the adaptability to varying tissue conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes motor control parameters dynamically based on local firing conditions. This includes adjusting parameters such as motor speed, torque, acceleration, and positioning based on real-time measurements of tissue characteristics, force feedback, or procedural stage. By modifying control parameters adaptively, the system achieves versatility across different tissue types and surgical scenarios without requiring overly complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-adjustment based on local feedback from the surgical field. The motor controller automatically modifies firing parameters in response to measured conditions (such as tissue resistance, force feedback, or position deviations) without requiring external intervention, thereby enabling adaptability while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time feedback and adaptive algorithms are implemented, then the precision of tissue treatment is improved, but the computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of control parameters and algorithms before the surgical procedure begins. This includes pre-programming adaptive control strategies, establishing baseline parameters, and preparing lookup tables or decision matrices that guide real-time adjustments. By performing this preparation in advance, the system minimizes computational burden during actual tissue treatment, thereby maintaining high precision without significant processing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument is disclosed including an end effector, a firing member movable from an unfired position toward a fired position during a firing stroke, a firing system comprising a motor, and a control system. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw, and a staple cartridge. The firing system is configured to drive the firing member through the firing stroke. The control system is configured to drive the firing member from the unfired position toward the fired position with the firing system, detect a force to fire the firing member toward the fired position, predict a future force to fire the firing member, based on the detected force to fire, and dynamically adjust a firing algorithm of the firing system, based on the prediction.