Staple Cartridge Sensor Calibration for Wireless Surgical Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling and cutting instruments face challenges in optimizing sensor data collection, transmission, and processing, particularly in terms of power management and signal interference, which affect the efficiency and reliability of tissue stapling and cutting operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of advanced communication systems and control algorithms for surgical instruments, including adjustable RLC circuits and antenna configurations, to optimize power transfer and data transmission, manage bandwidth, and calibrate sensor arrays, thereby enhancing the monitoring and control of staple cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor arrays are used for monitoring surgical instruments, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A controller serves as an intermediary between the sensor arrays and the processing system. The controller receives data from multiple sensors, performs initial processing and filtering, then transmits processed information to the control circuit. This intermediary approach maintains high measurement precision while reducing the complexity burden on the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor mounting and wiring systems with electronic signal processing approaches. Instead of physically complex sensor arrays requiring intricate mechanical integration, the system uses electronic controllers to manage sensor data, substituting mechanical complexity with manageable electronic control logic.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is implemented for data transmission, then ease of operation is improved, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors communication quality and adjusts transmission parameters accordingly. When signal interference is detected, the system can request retransmission, adjust modulation schemes, or switch communication frequencies, thereby maintaining ease of wireless operation while mitigating interference effects through active monitoring and adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages wireless communication protocols and handles interference mitigation. Rather than direct sensor-to-processor communication that would be vulnerable to interference, the controller intermediates by implementing error correction, data validation, and communication protocol management to reduce harmful interference effects.
3Duration of action of moving object
If power transfer is optimized for sensor operation, then duration of action is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sampling of sensor data rather than continuous monitoring. The controller activates sensors and data transmission at intervals, allowing the battery-powered surgical instrument to conserve energy during idle periods while maintaining adequate monitoring capability. This periodic operation extends battery life without completely sacrificing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system dynamically adjusts operation modes based on surgical needs. During critical surgical phases, the system increases power consumption for enhanced monitoring and transmission. During stable or idle phases, it reduces power usage by lowering sampling rates or entering sleep modes. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between duration of action and energy consumption.
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
This approach improves the efficiency and reliability of surgical stapling and cutting instruments by optimizing power consumption, reducing signal interference, and ensuring precise tissue handling.
Implementation Method 1
adjustable RLC circuits and antenna configurations, to optimize power transfer and data transmission
Implementation Method 2
antenna configurations, to optimize power transfer and data transmission
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a surgical end effector for use with a surgical instrument. The surgical end effector comprises a jaw, and a staple cartridge seatable in the jaw. The staple cartridge comprises a sensor array configured to take measurements corresponding to a parameter associated with a function of the surgical instrument, a processor, and a memory storing program instructions. The memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform an initial calibration of the sensor array, determine an initial adjustment to the measurements based on the initial calibration, perform an in-use calibration of the sensor array, and modify the initial adjustment based on the in-use calibration.