Electric Stapler Tissue Compression Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers are hand-powered, requiring significant physical force and lack an active compression indicator to optimize tissue compression, leading to potential tissue degradation and inconsistent stapling results.
Innovation Solution
An electric surgical stapler with an offset-axis configuration for comfortable handling, a power-on feature for testing, and an optimal tissue compression (OTC) measurement and feedback control mechanism to ensure staples are fired within a desired pressure range, preventing over-compression of tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand-powered staplers are used, then the device structure is simple, but significant physical force is required and tissue compression cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hand-powered mechanical system with an electric motor-driven system. The electric surgical stapler uses a motor to power the anvil closing mechanism, eliminating the need for manual physical force while maintaining the mechanical stapling function. This substitution resolves the contradiction by reducing operational effort without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a force sensor that automatically detects tissue compression force and provides feedback control. The system self-regulates the anvil closing process by monitoring the compression force and adjusting accordingly, eliminating the need for operator judgment and experience. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by automating the compression optimization without requiring complex manual control systems.
2Reliability
If active compression control is added, then tissue compression can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a force sensor measures the compression force applied to the tissue during anvil closing. The measured force is compared against a predetermined optimal compression force, and the system automatically adjusts the closing process to achieve the desired compression. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable tissue compression optimization while keeping the control system relatively simple through direct force measurement and comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical compression control mechanisms with an electric motor-driven system coupled with electronic force sensing and control. The motor provides precise control over the anvil closing force, while the force sensor and control circuitry monitor and adjust the compression in real-time. This substitution resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable compression optimization through electronic control rather than complex mechanical linkages.
3Ease of operation
If electric motor is added, then physical force requirement is reduced, but device complexity and power supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical actuation system with an electric motor-driven system. The motor powers the anvil closing mechanism and staple firing mechanism, completely eliminating the need for manual physical force. This substitution resolves the contradiction by reducing operational effort to minimal button presses while accepting the necessary addition of power supply components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single electric motor to perform multiple functions: closing the anvil onto the tissue and firing the staples. The motor is controlled to first drive the anvil closing mechanism, then subsequently drive the staple firing mechanism. This multi-functionality approach resolves the contradiction by consolidating multiple mechanical functions into one power source, reducing the overall power supply requirements compared to having separate motors for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optimal tissue compression surgical device comprises a handle and a surgical end effector connected to the handle. The surgical end effector comprises an electrically controlled tissue-compression device and a mechanical binary-output electrical switch, wherein a force acting on the mechanical binary-output electrical switch is proportional to a compressing force directed upon the compressed tissue. The mechanical binary-output electrical switch has first and second electrical switching states, a biasing device retaining the switch in the first switching state with a bias force until a force imparted upon the switch overcomes the bias force to change the switch to the second switching state, and a switching-state-status output for providing information identifying the current switching state.