Surgical Instrument Actuation Sensing for Precise Stapling Stroke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments face challenges in accurately determining the position and movement of actuation members during stapling and cutting operations, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies due to system backlash, wear, and variations in mechanical components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a sensing system utilizing stretchable optical waveguides and Hall Effect sensors to monitor the displacement and movement of actuation members, allowing for real-time adjustments and corrections to ensure precise control of the stapling and cutting functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional mechanical linkages are used to transmit actuation force, then the device structure is simple, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to backlash and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkages with a sensing system comprising optical waveguides and Hall Effect sensors to detect actuation member position. This substitution eliminates mechanical backlash and wear that degrade positioning accuracy, while the added sensing components provide precise real-time position data for control feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where Hall Effect sensors continuously monitor actuation member position and feed this information to a control circuit. The control circuit uses this feedback to adjust actuation parameters in real-time, compensating for any positioning deviations and ensuring accurate stapling and cutting operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed actuation stroke is used, then the device operation is simple, but adaptability deteriorates when encountering tissue variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed actuation stroke to a dynamic, adjustable actuation stroke. The control circuit modifies the actuation stroke length based on real-time position feedback from Hall Effect sensors and detected tissue properties, allowing the system to adapt to varying tissue thicknesses and densities while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation stroke parameter dynamically based on detected tissue characteristics. The control circuit adjusts stroke length, speed, and other parameters in real-time according to feedback from position sensors and tissue property detection, enabling the system to optimize performance for different tissue types without requiring manual intervention.
3Reliability
If real-time position monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical waveguides and Hall Effect sensors for position monitoring, which consume significantly less energy compared to traditional mechanical sensing methods. The optical waveguide transmits light signals for position detection without requiring high power consumption, while Hall Effect sensors provide precise magnetic field-based position measurement with low energy requirements, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing energy usage.
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 accuracy and reliability of surgical instruments by dynamically adjusting the actuation strokes based on sensed parameters, reducing the risk of damage and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing system utilizing stretchable optical waveguides and Hall Effect sensors to monitor the displacement and movement of actuation members
Implementation Method 2
a sensing system utilizing stretchable optical waveguides and Hall Effect sensors to monitor the displacement and movement of actuation members
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical instrument comprising an adjustment system is disclosed.