Surgical Stapling Instrument Speed Control for Adjustable Firing Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in precision and control, particularly in navigating complex tissue structures during procedures like stomach sleeve creation, where existing instruments lack advanced guidance and display systems for optimal staple firing paths.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapling instrument with a sophisticated drive system and display interface that includes a joystick for altering staple firing paths, an articulatable end effector with a dampener for reduced movement, and synchronized drive mechanisms for precise tissue manipulation and staple deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a sophisticated drive system with synchronized mechanisms is implemented, then precision and control of staple placement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is divided into multiple independent motors (first motor, second motor) that can be controlled separately. Each motor drives specific components (cutter, anvil, end effector) independently, allowing precise control of each function while maintaining overall system coordination through the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic speed control capabilities where the controller can adjust the speed of individual motors based on surgical requirements. The end effector speed can be modified relative to the cutter speed, and the system can transition between different operational modes (stapling only, cutting only, or combined) dynamically during the procedure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If real-time adjustment of staple firing paths is enabled through display interface, then adaptability to complex tissue structures is improved, but ease of operation increases due to better guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The display interface provides real-time visual feedback to the surgeon, showing the current staple firing path and allowing adjustment through joystick control. The system monitors and displays the position and status of various components (end effector, cutter, anvil) enabling the surgeon to make informed decisions about path adjustments based on actual tissue conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The display interface acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's intentions and the instrument's actions. The joystick provides a intuitive mechanical interface that translates surgeon input into precise digital control signals, while the visual display serves as an intermediary representation of the internal instrument state and firing path geometry.
3Measurement precision
If articulatable end effector with dampener is used, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dampener mechanism acts as a counterbalancing element that opposes unwanted movements of the articulatable end effector. By providing controlled resistance to movement, the dampener stabilizes the end effector position and reduces oscillations or unintended displacement during stapling operations, thereby improving control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation mechanism allows the end effector to change its angular parameter relative to the instrument shaft. The dampener controls the rate and extent of this angular change, effectively modifying the movement parameters to achieve smoother, more precise positioning while reducing abrupt or excessive articulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument system is disclosed which comprises a control screen usable to control the surgical instrument system in real time.