Surgical Stapler Cartridge Transponder State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling and cutting instruments face challenges in preventing inadvertent firing without a spent staple cartridge and in limiting the number of firing operations, while avoiding the complexity of hardwired end effector electronics.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a control unit and a staple cartridge featuring a transponder that communicates wirelessly to determine the cartridge's state and limits operations based on a predetermined count, preventing excessive use by altering components to prevent further firing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardwired end effector electronics are used to prevent cartridge reuse and limit firing operations, then reliability of preventing inadvertent firing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transponder as an intermediary component located in the handle rather than the end effector. This transponder serves as a mediator between the control unit and the staple cartridge, enabling the system to determine cartridge state and limit firing operations without requiring complex electronics in the end effector itself. The transponder receives signals from the control unit and provides responses, acting as a simple interface that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electronic components (transponder and associated circuitry) from the end effector and relocates them to the handle. This separation removes the complexity burden from the end effector, allowing it to remain mechanically simple while the handle contains the electronic intelligence needed to prevent cartridge reuse and limit firing operations. The end effector becomes a purely mechanical component, simplifying its design and manufacturing.
2Device complexity
If wireless transponder communication is used to determine cartridge state, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of cartridge state detection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the transponder continuously maintain readiness to communicate its state before the control unit needs to query it. The transponder is pre-configured with cartridge state information and remains in a standby state, ready to provide immediate responses to control unit inquiries. This ensures that when the control unit needs to determine cartridge state, the information is already prepared and available, maintaining detection precision without requiring complex real-time measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder creates a simplified copy or representation of the cartridge state information and transmits this digital copy to the control unit via wireless communication. Rather than requiring the control unit to directly measure or sense the physical cartridge state, the system uses this informational copy provided by the transponder. This approach maintains sufficient precision for determining whether a cartridge is present, spent, or unfired while avoiding the complexity of direct sensing mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the instrument allows unlimited firing operations, then productivity is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential overuse and component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit receives information from the transponder about the current firing operation count and the predetermined limit. After each firing operation, the control unit updates the count and compares it against the stored limit. When the limit is reached, the control unit provides feedback to prevent further firing operations by disabling the motor or blocking the firing mechanism. This closed-loop feedback system ensures productivity is maximized within safe limits while preventing component overuse and failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the predetermined number of firing operations in the control unit's memory before the instrument is used. This limit is established in advance based on component durability considerations. The system proactively prevents exceeding this limit rather than reacting to component wear or failure. By setting the boundary beforehand, the instrument can operate at maximum productivity within safe parameters without risking component failure from overuse.
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
Prevents inadvertent cutting without stapling and limits the number of firing operations, enhancing safety and extending instrument lifespan by ensuring components are not overused.
Implementation Method 1
A surgical instrument with a control unit and a staple cartridge featuring a transponder that communicates wirelessly to determine the cartridge's state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a control unit and a staple cartridge including a transponder. The control unit is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to the transponder and to receive a second wireless signal from the transponder to determine one of a first electronic state and a second electronic state of the transponder based on the second wireless signal.