Staple Cartridge Contacts for Tissue Compression Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling and cutting instruments lack effective methods to ensure stable tissue compression and compatibility with different tissue types, leading to potential inefficiencies and suboptimal stapling results.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of LEDs at the edges of the tissue-contacting surface of the staple cartridge, which emit ultraviolet or infrared light, and staples coated with fluorescing dye, along with a processor to compare tissue parameters against acceptable parameters, indicating tissue stability and compatibility, and providing visual feedback through LED sequences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LEDs are positioned at the edges of the tissue-contacting surface to provide visual feedback, then tissue stability indication is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses LEDs that emit different colors or patterns to indicate tissue stability status. The visual feedback system employs color changes to communicate compression stability to the surgeon, allowing intuitive understanding of tissue parameters without complex displays or interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors tissue compression stability and provides visual feedback through the LEDs without requiring manual intervention. The processor continuously evaluates sensor data and autonomously determines when to activate or change the LED indication, enabling self-monitoring and self-reporting functionality.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated to monitor tissue parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (force sensors, Hall effect sensors, optical sensors) into a single integrated monitoring system. These sensors are merged into one cohesive system that collectively evaluates tissue compression stability, allowing comprehensive measurement while sharing common processing and control infrastructure to manage complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to monitor multiple tissue parameters simultaneously using a unified architecture. The same sensor array and processing unit handle various measurements including force, position, and tissue characteristics, enabling multi-functional monitoring without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If real-time visual feedback is provided through LEDs, then tissue compression stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LED visual feedback operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when tissue stability evaluation is required or when parameter changes occur. The system uses intermittent updates and event-triggered illumination to provide necessary visual information while minimizing continuous energy drain from the LED components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback where LED activation is directly tied to actual tissue stability conditions. The visual feedback is triggered by processor determination of stability status, ensuring energy is consumed only when information needs to be communicated to the surgeon, rather than operating continuously regardless of operational need.
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
Ensures stable tissue compression and compatibility by providing real-time visual feedback, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of stapling operations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more LEDs positioned at the edges of the tissue-contacting surface
Implementation Method 2
the staples are coated in a fluorescing dye
Data Source
AI summary
A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler and surgical stapling systems are disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a proximal end. A plurality of staples. A plurality of electrical contacts positioned at the proximal end of the cartridge body and electrically coupleable to the electrical connector upon the installation of the replaceable staple cartridge assembly in the end effector along a distal-to-proximal installation motion and electrically decoupleable from the electrical connector upon removal of the replaceable staple cartridge assembly from the end effector along a proximal-to-distal removal motion.