Surgical Stapling Asymmetric Closure Rotary Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical stapling systems face challenges in efficiently articulating and controlling the end effector, particularly in maintaining precise tissue manipulation and staple deployment, due to limitations in the separation of closure and firing systems and lack of advanced sensing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A powered surgical stapling system with a rotary driven closure and firing mechanism, featuring an articulation joint and advanced sensing capabilities, including a Hall Effect sensor for position detection, to enhance precision and control during surgical procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a rotary driven closure and firing mechanism is used, then articulation precision and control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticulation precisionVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate closure and firing systems, each with independent rotary driven mechanisms. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system precision, resolving the contradiction between improved articulation precision and increased device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rotary driven mechanism acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the end effector, providing precise control through rotational motion conversion. This intermediary mechanism enables accurate articulation while distributing mechanical complexity across multiple components rather than concentrating it in a single complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If Hall Effect sensors are implemented for position detection, then control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidsensing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Mechanical position detection methods are replaced with Hall Effect sensors that use magnetic field detection. This substitution provides non-contact, high-precision position sensing without the mechanical wear and complexity of traditional encoders or potentiometers, improving measurement precision while actually reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing approach changes from mechanical parameter detection to magnetic field parameter detection. Hall Effect sensors detect position through changes in magnetic field strength and direction, providing accurate position feedback with simpler mechanical integration compared to traditional mechanical sensing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If separate rotary closure and firing systems are used, then tissue manipulation precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue manipulation precisionVSAvoidsystem separation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure and firing functions are segmented into separate rotary driven systems, each independently controlled. This allows precise tissue manipulation by optimizing each subsystem for its specific task while using standardized mechanical interfaces to manage the complexity of having separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary driven mechanism design incorporates universal features that can serve both closure and firing functions. By using similar mechanical principles and component types for both systems, the patent reduces the complexity increase that would otherwise result from complete system separation, while still maintaining the precision benefits of specialized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system enables precise articulation and control of the end effector, improving tissue manipulation and staple deployment, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of surgical stapling procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A powered surgical stapling system with a rotary driven closure and firing mechanism, featuring an articulation joint and advanced sensing capabilities, including a Hall Effect sensor for position detection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall Effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3545860B1Surgical stapling devices with asymmetric closure features
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 ETHICON INC
  • EP3545860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3545860B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3545860B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector that defines a central end effector plane. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw that is configured to mate with the first jaw along the end effector plane. The second jaw is pivotally coupled to the first jaw for pivotal travel about a pivot axis that is transverse to the end effector plane between an open position and a closed position. A closure assembly is operably coupled to the second jaw at first and second attachment points. The first attachment point is located a first lateral distance from the central end effector plane and the second attachment point is located a second lateral distance from the central end effector plane. The closure assembly is configured to generate axial and pivotal control motions in response to rotary closure motions applied thereto.