Surgical Instrument Cartridge Circuit for Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments lack sufficient user feedback during cutting and stapling operations, particularly in motor-driven endocutters, which hinders physician acceptance due to the lack of deployment force and position feedback.
Innovation Solution
An electronic sensor system is integrated into the surgical instrument, featuring a resistive member that generates output signals indicative of the firing element's position within the end effector, allowing communication with a memory device and processor to provide user feedback through visual or haptic indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If motor-driven endocutters are used to automate cutting operations, then productivity is improved, but user feedback on deployment force and position is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms including force sensors that measure deployment force and position sensors that track the cutting element's location. These sensors provide real-time data to the control system, which can then provide haptic feedback through the firing trigger or visual feedback through displays, allowing the operator to maintain awareness of the cutting element's position and the force being applied during automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling between the motor and cutting element with an electronic control system that uses sensors and feedback loops. This substitution allows the system to maintain precise control through electronic signals while preserving the ability to provide user feedback, rather than relying solely on direct mechanical connection.
2Ease of operation
If simple button-press actuation is used for motor-driven endocutters, then ease of operation is improved, but surgical precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control where the motor speed and cutting element advancement are adjusted in real-time based on feedback from force and position sensors. The system can automatically slow down when encountering tissue variations or near completion of the cut, providing precision without requiring complex manual control from the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from sensors allows the control system to monitor and adjust cutting parameters dynamically, maintaining precision throughout the automated cutting process while keeping the interface simple for the operator.
3Measurement precision
If electronic sensor systems are added to provide user feedback, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sensor system to serve multiple functions: force measurement for safety control, position tracking for precision, and potentially for both haptic and visual feedback delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each measurement type, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediary components such as a microcontroller or processing unit that consolidates data from multiple sensors and coordinates the feedback delivery. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the complexity in a single manageable component rather than distributing it across multiple independent systems.
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 enhances user feedback, improving the control and acceptance of motor-driven surgical instruments by providing real-time feedback on deployment forces and positions, thus enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a resistive member supported for moving contact by the firing element as the firing element is driven from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongate channel such that the resistive member generates output signals indicative of positions of the firing element within the elongate channel
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a plurality of fasteners, a longitudinal knife slot defined in the cartridge body, and a circuit comprising a plurality of sub-circuits extending across the longitudinal knife slot is disclosed. The longitudinal knife slot is configured to receive a tissue cutting knife. The plurality of sub-circuits comprises a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit. The circuit produces a first voltage in response to an applied current when the first sub-circuit and the second sub-circuit are intact. The circuit produces a second voltage in response to the applied current as the tissue cutting knife is advanced distally through the longitudinal knife slot. The first voltage is different than the second voltage.