Surgical Stapler Assembly Verification via Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical stapling systems lack effective methods to confirm proper assembly of the trocar assembly to the adapter assembly, which can lead to improper attachment and subsequent surgical errors, such as under-crimped staples and incomplete tissue cutting.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling system that includes a processor and memory with instructions to determine the proper attachment of the trocar assembly to the adapter assembly by measuring the force applied between the two components using a strain gauge sensor, generating an output indicating proper or improper attachment based on a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trocar assembly is manually attached to the adapter assembly without verification, then the assembly process is simple and quick, but the attachment may be improper leading to surgical errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect whether the trocar assembly is properly attached to the adapter assembly and provide feedback signals to the control circuit. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable attachment verification while maintaining ease of operation, as the system automatically determines proper assembly without requiring manual verification steps from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification of assembly with an automated sensing system. Sensors detect the attachment state and convert it to electrical signals that the control circuit processes, substituting the need for manual mechanical checks with an automated electromechanical verification system.
2Reliability
If a sensor system is added to detect assembly status, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary elements between the mechanical assembly components. These sensors act as mediators that detect the attachment state and transmit information to the control circuit, enabling reliable verification without requiring complex direct mechanical interlocking or manual verification procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification of assembly status through integrated sensors and control circuits that automatically detect and confirm proper attachment. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external verification tools or complex manual checking procedures, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system prevents operation until proper assembly is verified, then surgical safety is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional verification time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs assembly verification as a preliminary action before allowing operation. The sensors and control circuit automatically check attachment status prior to enabling the surgical instrument, ensuring safety is confirmed in advance. This preliminary verification prevents surgical errors while minimizing time loss, as the check occurs automatically before the surgical procedure begins.
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
Prevents the stapling system from operating until proper assembly is verified, ensuring that staples are not under-crimped and tissue cutting is complete, thereby enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the force applied between the two components using a strain gauge sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A surgical stapling system includes an adapter assembly (100), a trocar assembly (114) attachable to the adapter assembly, a processor (12e), and memory (12d). The memory (12d) includes instructions executable by the processor (12e) to cause the trocar assembly (114) to move relative to the adapter assembly (100) and determine whether the trocar assembly (114) is properly attached to the adapter assembly (100). Such determination is based on an amount of force applied between the trocar assembly and the adapter assembly, an amount of current detected in the surgical stapling system, or an amount of time the trocar assembly moves relative to the adapter assembly without an indication that the amount of force is within a predetermined range.