Surgical Adapter Axial Position Sensing and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling systems face challenges in efficiently articulating and controlling the position of end effectors during minimally invasive procedures, leading to potential tissue damage and instrument jamming due to inadequate articulation control and debris accumulation within the adapter's components.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electromechanical surgical system with an articulation control system that includes a rotary drive shaft and articulation member, which moves axially in response to rotation to articulate the end effector, and incorporates sensors to monitor and communicate the axial position, ensuring precise control and preventing internal damage or tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an articulation control system with sensors is added to the adapter, then the precision of end effector positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is integrated within the existing adapter housing, with the sensor positioned inside the adapter body and the drive shaft passing through the housing. This nesting approach allows the sensing functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the external dimensions or overall complexity of the adapter assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical position indication mechanisms with electronic sensors that directly measure the axial position of the drive shaft. The sensor assembly includes a sensor positioned to detect the position of a feature on the drive shaft, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages or visual indicators.
2Reliability
If the adapter components are made more compact to reduce debris accumulation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is designed as a separate, removable unit that can be extracted from the adapter housing. The sensor assembly includes a sensor positioned within the adapter body, but the entire sensing mechanism can be removed as a single unit for manufacturing, calibration, or replacement without disassembling the entire adapter.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is divided into distinct functional modules: the adapter housing, the drive shaft assembly, and the sensor assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes, then assembled together, improving both manufacturability and reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the axial movement of the drive shaft is precisely controlled, then the tissue damage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly provides real-time feedback on the axial position of the drive shaft to the control system. The sensor detects the position of a feature on the drive shaft and generates signals that are processed by the control system, which can then adjust the drive shaft position to maintain precise control and prevent tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the drive shaft and the sensor. The drive shaft includes a magnet, and the sensor assembly includes a sensor that detects the magnetic field position without direct mechanical contact. This intermediary approach enables precise position sensing while maintaining mechanical simplicity and preventing tissue damage.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for use with an electromechanical surgical instrument. The adapter includes a shaft assembly and a surgical end effector that is selectively articulatable and rotatable relative to the shaft assembly through a range of articulated and rotated positions. The adapter includes sensing and control arrangements for monitoring and maintaining the end effector in articulated and/or rotated positions.