Surgical Stapler Drive Control for Adaptive Firing Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling systems face challenges in precisely controlling tissue treatment motions, particularly in adapting to varying tissue thickness and closure forces, which can affect the efficiency and accuracy of stapling and cutting operations.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical system that includes a control mechanism to dynamically adjust firing motion parameters based on elapsed time in the clamped state and tissue conditions, using a combination of sensors and algorithms to modify the firing speed and force, ensuring optimal staple deployment and tissue cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical stapling systems use fixed firing motion parameters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of tissue treatment deteriorate due to inability to adapt to varying tissue thickness and closure forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts firing motion parameters (firing speed, firing force, pause timing) based on real-time monitoring of drive system motion and tissue response, transitioning from static fixed parameters to adaptive dynamic parameters that optimize tissue treatment precision across varying tissue thicknesses and conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the drive system's motion characteristics during the firing stroke and uses this feedback to detect variations in tissue properties, then automatically adjusts subsequent firing parameters to maintain optimal tissue treatment precision and consistency
2Reliability
If the system uses real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment of firing parameters, then the reliability of tissue treatment is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to monitor drive system motion characteristics during the firing stroke and provides real-time feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts firing parameters to maintain reliable stapling and cutting operations across varying tissue conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the drive system's own motion characteristics as a proxy for tissue properties, eliminating the need for separate tissue sensing mechanisms while still achieving reliable adaptation to different tissue conditions through self-monitoring of its operational parameters
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed firing speed and force are used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the adaptability to different tissue thicknesses and conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors its own drive system motion and tissue response characteristics during the firing stroke and self-adjusts firing parameters without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability to different tissue conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed firing parameters to dynamic adaptive parameters that automatically adjust firing speed, force, and timing based on real-time detection of tissue properties, enabling the system to adapt to varying tissue thicknesses and conditions while maintaining simple operation
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system is disclosed including a surgical instrument and a control system. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a first drive system, and a second drive system. The control system is configured to detect the actuation of the first drive system of the surgical instrument, drive a first function of the end effector using the first drive system, monitor a first parameter associated with a first function, set a second parameter associated with a second function of the end effector based on the monitored first parameter, and drive the second function of the end effector using the second drive system.