Circular Stapler Pressure Sensor Feedback Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers for treating rectal and colorectal cancers rely heavily on operator experience, leading to issues like leakage and stenosis due to inadequate or excessive contact pressure, and there is a lack of effective methods to adjust pressure during enteroanastomosis procedures.
Innovation Solution
A circular stapler equipped with a pressure sensor system that measures contact pressure using a sensor drive and pressure sensor, providing visual, tactile, or audible outputs when the pressure reaches a predetermined range (40 kPa to 44 kPa) to ensure optimal pressure application during surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact pressure is increased to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability improves, but risk of stenosis and necrosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pressure sensor that provides real-time feedback on contact pressure between the cartridge and tissue. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to monitor pressure levels and adjust them to remain within the optimal range (40-44 kPa), preventing both leakage (insufficient pressure) and stenosis/necrosis (excessive pressure). The feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment rather than static pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of contact pressure from an uncontrolled variable to a precisely controlled parameter through the pressure sensor. By measuring and displaying pressure values, the system enables the operator to maintain pressure within specific numerical ranges (40-44 kPa), transforming pressure control from a qualitative estimate to a quantitative, controllable parameter that prevents both insufficient and excessive pressure conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If contact pressure is decreased to prevent stenosis and necrosis, then tissue damage risk reduces, but leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides real-time feedback that allows the operator to verify adequate contact pressure is being applied. The visual display of pressure values (40-44 kPa) confirms that sufficient pressure is present to prevent leakage, while the ability to adjust and monitor prevents excessive pressure that would cause tissue damage. This feedback eliminates the need to choose between the two risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms pressure control from a binary choice (high pressure for sealing vs. low pressure to avoid damage) to a precise parameter control system. By measuring and displaying pressure values, the system identifies and maintains an optimal pressure window (40-44 kPa) that simultaneously achieves both sealing reliability and tissue safety, resolving the apparent contradiction between these two requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If pressure sensor system is added to measure contact pressure, then pressure control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressure sensor as an intermediary device between the cartridge and the operator. This sensor acts as a mediator that translates physical contact pressure into readable visual feedback, enabling precise pressure control without requiring the operator to directly sense or estimate pressure. The intermediary device bridges the gap between mechanical force application and human perception/control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the operator's intuitive mechanical sense of pressure with an electronic sensing and visual display system. Instead of relying on the operator's tactile feedback or experience-based estimation, the system uses a pressure sensor to electronically measure and display pressure values, substituting mechanical intuition with precise electronic measurement and visual information.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The stapler effectively adjusts contact pressure to prevent leakage, stenosis, and necrosis by providing real-time feedback, ensuring accurate pressure application during enteroanastomosis, thereby improving surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor provided inside the head cover to measure a pressure applied to the cartridge by receiving the pressure from the sensor drive
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a circular stapler. The circular stapler includes a head cover (100) formed in a tubular shape so that a space is defined therein, a cartridge (200) provided in one end of the head cover (100) to accommodate a staple therein, a staple drive (300) provided inside the head cover (100) to extrude the staple from the cartridge (200) while moving toward the cartridge (200), a sensor drive (400) provided inside the head cover (100) and configured to come into contact with the cartridge (200), and a pressure sensor (500) provided inside the head cover (200) to measure pressure applied to the cartridge (200) by receiving the pressure from the sensor drive (400).