Surgical Stapler Motor Control for Consistent Tissue Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently controlling motor functions during surgical procedures, particularly in ensuring precise tissue compression and staple formation, due to limitations in motor control systems that do not adequately account for tissue variability and staple cartridge alignment.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapler with a downstream current-based motor control system that includes a segmented circuit and daisy-chained power converters, allowing for sequential energization of critical functions and adaptive control based on tissue parameters, ensuring consistent staple formation and tissue compression across various tissue types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional motor control system is used in surgical staplers, then the device structure is simpler, but the precision of tissue compression and staple formation is insufficient due to inability to account for tissue variability
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control system is divided into multiple independent segments including a controller, current sensor, and power converter. The controller receives downstream current signals from the current sensor and independently adjusts motor parameters based on tissue feedback, allowing precise control of staple formation without requiring complex integrated systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements downstream current-based feedback control where the current sensor continuously monitors motor current and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts motor parameters in real-time based on this feedback to maintain consistent staple formation across varying tissue types, resolving the precision-complexity contradiction
2Reliability
If motor control does not account for tissue variability, then the control system is simpler to operate, but the reliability of surgical outcomes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control system performs self-adjustment based on downstream current feedback without requiring manual intervention. The controller automatically compensates for tissue variability by adjusting motor parameters in real-time, maintaining reliable surgical outcomes while keeping the operation simple for the surgeon
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated electronic control based on current feedback. The controller uses electrical signals to adjust motor parameters, eliminating the need for manual mechanical tuning while improving reliability across different tissue types
3Speed
If all motor functions are energized simultaneously, then the system responds faster, but the power consumption increases and control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter is configured to energize motor functions in a predetermined sequence rather than simultaneously. Critical functions are activated first based on their importance to staple formation, allowing the system to respond efficiently while managing power consumption and maintaining control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic energization of motor functions through sequential operation of power converters. This periodic action pattern allows the motor to achieve necessary speed while reducing peak power consumption and improving control precision by activating functions in controlled intervals
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The drive system includes an actuation member. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system includes an H-bridge circuit electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is configured to control the electric motor based on a sensed parameter associated with the electric motor, a position of the actuation member and a velocity of the actuation member.