Progressive Closure Drive System for Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently managing tissue closure and firing forces, particularly due to variations in tissue resistance and creep, which affect the consistency and efficiency of staple deployment and cutting.
Innovation Solution
A powered surgical instrument with a progressive closure drive system that employs a combination of springs and camming surfaces to progressively apply closure forces, allowing for adaptive force adjustment during tissue compression and staple firing, while also enabling articulation of the end effector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional surgical stapling instrument is used, then the structure is simple, but the consistency and efficiency of staple deployment is affected by tissue resistance and creep variations
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument employs a progressive closure drive system with camming surfaces that dynamically adjust closure forces during operation. The camming surfaces are configured to provide varying degrees of mechanical advantage at different stages of jaw closure, allowing the system to adapt to tissue resistance and creep variations rather than applying constant force
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the closure force parameter progressively during the stapling operation. The camming surfaces are designed with specific geometric profiles that modify the closure force applied to the tissue as the jaws close, ensuring optimal force levels throughout the deformation and stapling process to maintain consistency despite tissue variations
2Reliability
If a progressive closure drive system with springs and camming surfaces is used, then tissue closure consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure drive system is segmented into multiple functional components: springs for force generation, camming surfaces for force modulation, and articulated linkage for motion transmission. Each component performs a specific function in the progressive closure sequence, allowing complex force profiles to be achieved through coordinated simple elements
Solution Approach 2:
The camming surfaces serve multiple functions: they convert rotational cam motion into linear closure force, provide progressive force adjustment, and coordinate the articulation of the end effector. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby managing overall system complexity
3Measurement precision
If articulation of the end effector is enabled, then surgical precision is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camming surfaces act as intermediaries that couple the closure drive mechanism to the articulated end effector. As the cam rotates during jaw closure, its profile drives the articulation of the end effector, enabling coordinated motion between closure and articulation without requiring independent control systems
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 system ensures consistent and efficient tissue closure and staple deployment, accommodating tissue creep and resistance variations, and facilitates smooth articulation of the end effector, enhancing surgical precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A powered surgical instrument with a progressive closure drive system that employs a combination of springs and camming surfaces to progressively apply closure forces
Implementation Method 2
employs a combination of springs and camming surfaces to progressively apply closure forces, allowing for adaptive force adjustment during tissue compression and staple firing
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a surgical instrument. The method includes linking a second drive member to a first drive member such that the second drive member moves with the first drive member. The method further includes applying first control motions to the first drive member to cause the second drive member to apply actuation motions to a surgical end effector. The method also includes discontinuing application of the first control motions to the first drive member and de-linking the second drive member from the first drive member such that the second drive member is locked in place by a locking system. The method also includes re-applying control motions to the first drive member.