Powered Stapler Anvil Release Strain Monitoring

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circular staplers often fail to fully release the anvil from the anastomosis during extraction, which can compromise tissue integrity and staple line health, requiring careful manual monitoring and removal to avoid damage.

Innovation Solution

A powered circular stapler with a handle assembly, adapter assembly, and end effector that includes a breakable retainer mechanism and strain sensors to monitor forces during clamping, stapling, cutting, and unclamping phases, ensuring proper anvil release and preventing tissue damage by detecting abnormal forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual monitoring and slow removal are used to ensure anvil release, then tissue integrity is preserved, but surgical time increases and operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanvil release reliabilityVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensors (strain gauges, torque sensors, or force sensors) to provide real-time feedback on forces during anvil extraction. The controller monitors this feedback and automatically determines when the anvil has been fully released, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while ensuring complete release and preventing tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The stapler system performs self-monitoring and self-determination of anvil release status through its integrated sensors and controller. The system automatically detects when extraction forces indicate proper anvil release and can autonomously complete the extraction process without requiring continuous surgical intervention or manual assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual monitoring and slow removal are used to ensure anvil release, then tissue integrity is preserved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanvil release reliabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensors (strain gauges, torque sensors, or force sensors) to provide real-time feedback on forces during anvil extraction. The controller monitors this feedback and automatically determines when the anvil has been fully released, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while ensuring complete release and preventing tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with automated sensor-based detection systems. Instead of relying on surgical visual inspection and manual manipulation, the system uses electronic sensors to detect extraction forces and automatically determine anvil release status, simplifying the operational process while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If automated sensor monitoring is implemented, then anvil release reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanvil release reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensors (strain gauges, torque sensors, or force sensors) to provide real-time feedback on forces during anvil extraction. The controller monitors this feedback and automatically determines when the anvil has been fully released, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while ensuring complete release and preventing tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system serves multiple functions: monitoring extraction forces, detecting anvil release status, identifying abnormal forces that may indicate retained anvil, and providing data for automatic extraction control. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple monitoring tasks into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 powered stapler ensures safe and controlled anvil release during unclamping, preventing tissue damage and maintaining the integrity of the anastomosis by using sensors to monitor and manage forces, thus enhancing surgical precision and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a strain sensor configured to measure strain imparted on the transmission assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain measurement: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11832823B2Determination of anvil release during anastomosis

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical device includes a reload assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly movable relative to the reload assembly. The device also includes a power source and a motor coupled to the power source. The device further includes a transmission assembly movable by the motor and configured to move the anvil assembly relative to the reload assembly. The device additionally includes a strain sensor configured to measure strain imparted on the transmission assembly. The device also includes a controller configured to determine whether the anvil assembly is adhered to tissue grasped between the reload assembly and the anvil assembly based on the measured strain.