Surgical Staple Height Selection via Tissue Compression Force Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapler instruments lack a means to consistently control tissue compression force, leading to inadequate hemostasis and potential tissue damage due to the inability to accurately select the appropriate staple cartridge, especially in tissues with varying thickness or unknown mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a compression gauge cartridge and force transducer assembly that allows for consistent tissue compression to a predetermined thickness and measurement of reactionary load, aiding in the selection of the optimal staple cartridge by comparing the measured load to known optimal values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standardized staple cartridges with fixed gap distances are used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the ability to control tissue compression force precisely is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a force transducer measures the actual tissue compression force during stapling and provides real-time feedback to the control system. The control system then adjusts the drive mechanism to compensate for variations in tissue thickness and mechanical properties, enabling precise control of compression force despite using standardized staple cartridges with fixed gap distances.
2Manufacturing precision
If the gap distance between staple cartridge and anvil is fixed, then manufacturing precision is improved and device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to tissues with varying thickness is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capability where the gap distance between the staple cartridge and anvil can be varied during the stapling process. The control system adjusts the relative positions of the staple cartridge and anvil based on real-time feedback from the force transducer, allowing the fixed manufacturing precision of individual components to be overridden by dynamic positioning to accommodate tissues of varying thickness.
3Ease of operation
If color-coded staple cartridges with discrete height increments are used, then ease of operation is improved and device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of tissue compression is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical selection system (color-coded cartridges with discrete heights) with an electronic control system that uses a force transducer to measure actual compression forces. The control system processes this data and provides precise feedback, replacing the imprecise mechanical selection method with an electronic measurement and control system that can detect and respond to subtle variations in tissue compression.
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
Enables precise selection of staple cartridges based on tissue compression, reducing the risk of under- or over-compression, thereby improving hemostasis and minimizing tissue damage during surgical stapling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a force transducer to transfer a reactionary load from the compressed tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical compression gauge instrument comprising a compression gauge jaw member and an anvil jaw member for measuring a reactionary force from tissue captured and compressed to a predetermined gap distance between the two jaw members is disclosed herein. The compression gauge jaw member comprises a force gauge assembly for measuring the tissue reactionary force, and a gap sensor for generating an electrical signal indicative of the gap distance between the two jaw members.