Surgical Stapler Force Control via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently stapling and cutting tissue with precise control and minimal tissue gap variation, particularly in laparoscopic and minimally invasive procedures, where the stapling system's ability to articulate and adjust staple spacing is limited.
Innovation Solution
The surgical stapling system incorporates an interchangeable shaft assembly with an end effector that includes a staple cartridge and an anvil, allowing for articulation and adjustable tissue gap control through a firing member with cam mechanisms, enabling precise staple placement and tissue cutting with a knife blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motor-driven drive system is used in a surgical stapler, then automation and precision of stapling and cutting are improved, but control over force applied to tissue becomes difficult to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The control system includes a sensor that detects force applied to the yoke by the drive system and provides feedback to the controller, which adjusts motor commands in real-time to maintain optimal force levels during tissue stapling and cutting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical force transmission systems with an electric motor and electronic control system that uses sensor feedback to regulate force, enabling precise control while maintaining mechanical simplicity through electronic regulation
2Ease of manufacture
If staple spacing is fixed in the staple cartridge, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different tissue types and surgical needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable staple spacing through a mechanism that allows the staple cartridge to be reconfigured or adjusted during use, transforming a static manufacturing simple design into a dynamic system that adapts to different surgical requirements while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular components
Solution Approach 2:
The staple cartridge is divided into modular sections or rows that can be independently adjusted or reconfigured, allowing different staple spacings to be achieved through combination of standardized segments, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while providing adaptability
3Manufacturing precision
If the surgical stapler uses a complex articulation mechanism to adjust tissue gap, then precision of staple placement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a yoke as an intermediary component between the drive system and the staple cartridge, which simplifies the articulation mechanism by providing a single point of force application and movement control, thereby maintaining precision while reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, a handle assembly, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The drive system includes a movable drive member. The handle assembly includes a frame configured to support the movable drive member. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is electrically connected to the electric motor and includes a sensor positioned on the frame. The control system is configured to control the electric motor based on a force applied to the frame by the movable drive member.