Surgical Stapling Apparatus Pressure Monitoring Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling apparatuses lack effective monitoring of fastener deployment and formation pressure, leading to potential mechanical and hemostatic integrity issues during laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a pressure responsive element with staggered pressure sensors in the surgical stapling apparatus, communicating signals to a controller for real-time feedback and error prevention, including a circuit on the jaw surface or within the cartridge channel, and an encoder for recognizing irregular component positions to prevent cutting if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pressure monitoring is added to the surgical stapling apparatus, then fastener deployment and formation quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pressure monitoring sensors within the stapling apparatus that provide real-time feedback on fastener deployment and formation forces. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and correct formation issues, ensuring high manufacturing precision of fastener formation while managing the added complexity through intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical fastener formation monitoring with an integrated sensor-based system that uses pressure sensors to detect formation forces. This substitution of mechanical monitoring with sensor-based detection enables more precise monitoring of fastener formation quality while the controller processes this information to maintain operational integrity.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are positioned to monitor clamping force, then reliability of fastener deployment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function into multiple segments by positioning individual pressure sensors at specific locations within the stapling apparatus. Each sensor monitors specific aspects of fastener deployment forces, allowing the system to achieve high reliability through distributed sensing while managing complexity through modular sensor placement and independent data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the sensor system to serve multiple functions: monitoring clamping force during fastener deployment, detecting formation quality, and providing feedback for real-time control adjustments. This multi-functionality approach increases reliability through comprehensive monitoring while reducing overall system complexity by consolidating monitoring tasks into a unified sensor network.
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
Enhances the mechanical and hemostatic integrity of surgical stapling by providing real-time monitoring and feedback on fastener deployment and formation, preventing errors and ensuring proper tissue treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure responsive element disposed in one of the jaws, the pressure responsive element communicating a signal to a controller coupled to the surgical stapling apparatus, the signal representative of pressure applied to the pressure responsive element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A surgical stapling apparatus having a housing with an actuator and an elongated member extending from the housing. An end effector is disposed on one end of the elongated member. The end effector houses a plurality of fasteners that are operatively coupled to a plurality of pusher members. An actuation mechanism is operatively coupled to the actuator; the actuation mechanism includes a longitudinally translatable drive member and an actuation sled. The actuation sled is configured for engaging the plurality of pusher members. A pressure responsive element is also disposed in one of the jaws. The pressure responsive element communicates a signal to a controller. The signal is representative of pressure applied to the pressure responsive element. The controller is configured to activate a feedback response.