Spherical Load Sensor Pivot for Tolerance-Stable Surgical Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load sensors in surgical stapling devices are sensitive to manufacturing tolerances, leading to variations in sensitivity and performance due to non-coplanar assembly of components.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a spherical disc between the support block and load sensor in the force sensor arrangement, which accommodates for manufacturing tolerances and ensures proper alignment, thereby maintaining sensor sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flat interfaces are used for load sensor assembly, then manufacturing is simpler, but tolerance variations cause load sensor to not sit coplanar resulting in load variations and reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spherical ball pivots with spherical surfaces that mate with corresponding spherical recesses in the load sensor assembly. This curved surface geometry allows the load sensor to self-align and accommodate tolerance variations in the assembled components, ensuring coplanar positioning and accurate force measurement while maintaining ease of manufacture through the simple spherical interface design.
2Measurement precision
If spherical ball pivots are used, then tolerance variations are accommodated improving measurement precision, but device complexity increases due to additional spherical components
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical ball pivots serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as mechanical connectors between components, provide self-alignment to accommodate tolerance variations, enable rotational movement for degree of freedom, and ensure coplanar positioning of the load sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional alignment features or adjustment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved measurement precision.
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 spherical disc compensates for manufacturing variations, ensuring consistent and accurate force sensing in surgical stapling devices, enhancing clinical outcomes by maintaining desired clamping and stapling forces.
Implementation Method 1
a spherical disc interposed between the support block and the load sensor, and in contact with the support block surface and the sensor surface, wherein the second side of the spherical disc has a spherical profile and the support block surface has a complimentary spherical profile
Data Source
AI summary
A force sensor arrangement for use in a surgical device includes a support block supported within the surgical device and defining a support block surface; a load sensor disposed axially adjacent the support block, the load sensor defining a sensor surface; and a spherical disc interposed between the support block and the load sensor, and in contact with the support block surface and the sensor surface, wherein the spherical disc defines a first side in contact with the sensor surface, and a second side in contact with the support block surface, wherein the second side of the spherical disc has a spherical profile and the support block surface has a complimentary spherical profile.