Surgical Stapler Firing Path Display for Precise Tissue Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in precision and control, particularly in navigating complex tissue structures during procedures like stomach sleeve creation, where existing instruments lack advanced guidance and synchronization systems for staple firing paths.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effector, a tissue drive system, and a synchronized drive mechanism that includes a joystick for real-time control of staple firing paths, allowing for precise tissue manipulation and staple placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a surgical stapling instrument uses a fixed firing path, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision and adaptability in navigating complex tissue structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic firing path system where the staple firing path can be adjusted in real-time during the surgical procedure. The drive mechanism includes multiple drive members that can be independently controlled to modify the firing path dynamically, allowing the instrument to adapt to complex tissue structures while maintaining precision staple placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system is segmented into multiple independent drive members, each capable of controlling specific segments of the firing path. This segmentation allows for precise control of different portions of the staple firing path while keeping each individual drive component relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between precision and overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stapling instrument lacks real-time control capability, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to navigate complex tissue structures and adjust staple firing paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument incorporates dynamic control capabilities that allow real-time adjustment of the staple firing path during the procedure. The control system receives inputs and dynamically modifies the drive member movements to adapt to complex tissue structures, providing versatility without requiring an overly complex predetermined control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements feedback mechanisms that allow the operator to monitor and adjust the firing path in real-time based on tissue conditions. This feedback capability enables adaptability to complex anatomical structures while keeping the control system manageable through intuitive real-time adjustments rather than pre-programmed complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the stapling instrument uses a simple drive mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the synchronization and precision of staple firing paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple drive members into a coordinated system where they work together to achieve synchronized staple firing. The control system integrates the operation of multiple drive members, combining their functions to achieve precise synchronization while presenting a unified, easy-to-operate interface to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization mechanism incorporates feedback that monitors the position and movement of multiple drive members, automatically adjusting them to maintain precise synchronization. This feedback control achieves high manufacturing precision in staple firing synchronization while keeping the operation simple for the user, as the system self-regulates the coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling system for stapling the tissue of a patient is disclosed. The stapling system comprises a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a plurality of staples removably stored therein and, also, an anvil configured to deform the staples. The stapling system further comprises a firing mechanism configured to deploy the staples along a staple firing path longer than 60 mm, a camera configured to capture an image of the patient tissue, a display, and a controller configured to generate an image of the staple firing path, wherein the images are displayed on the display.