Surgical End Effector Dampener for Articulation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in precision and efficiency, particularly in navigating complex tissue structures and varying anatomical features during procedures like stomach sleeve creation, due to limitations in articulation and staple firing path control.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapling instrument with advanced articulation capabilities and a display system that allows for real-time control of the staple firing path, enabling precise tissue manipulation and staple placement through a combination of mechanical and electronic components, including a drive system with synchronized end effector drives and a user interface for guiding the instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If surgical stapling instruments use fixed articulation mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but precision in navigating complex tissue structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dampener mechanism that dynamically adjusts the articulation joint's movement characteristics. The dampener allows the articulation joint to move smoothly along a curved path while controlling the speed and precision of articulation, enabling the instrument to adapt to complex tissue structures without requiring an overly complex fixed mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampener changes the physical parameters of the articulation joint by introducing controlled resistance and damping forces. This modifies the joint's movement characteristics, allowing for precise control over articulation speed and position, thereby improving navigation precision through complex tissue while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If surgical stapling instruments use traditional staple firing mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but precision in staple placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the dampener's resistance to articulation joint movement provides real-time information about tissue characteristics and joint position. This feedback allows the control system to adjust firing parameters dynamically, improving staple placement precision without requiring an excessively complex firing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional purely mechanical firing mechanisms with a hybrid system that incorporates controlled damping forces. The dampener introduces a controllable mechanical resistance that works in conjunction with electronic control, substituting simple mechanical linkages with a more sophisticated but precisely controllable system.
3Productivity
If surgical stapling instruments operate at high speed, then productivity is improved, but precision in tissue manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dampener introduces periodic damping forces that regulate the articulation joint's movement. This creates a rhythm of controlled acceleration and deceleration during articulation, allowing the instrument to move quickly overall while maintaining precision at critical moments such as staple placement and tissue manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampener applies preliminary counteracting forces to prevent excessive speed and loss of control. By introducing damping resistance before precision maneuvers are required, the system maintains the ability to operate at high speed overall while ensuring precision is preserved when needed, effectively anticipating and preventing speed-related precision losses.
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
This solution enhances precision and efficiency by allowing for precise control over staple placement and tissue manipulation, improving the outcomes of procedures like stomach sleeve creation by enabling better adaptation to complex anatomical features.
Implementation Method 1
the dampener may be configured to reduce unintentional movement of the end effector upon articulation of the articulation joint
Implementation Method 2
the dampener may include a piston and a cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint is disclosed. The end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the shaft comprises a longitudinal axis and the end effector comprises a tissue gap, wherein the tissue gap faces the longitudinal axis when the end effector is in its first orientation, and wherein the tissue gap extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis when the end effector is in its second orientation. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation drive system configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft and a dampener configured to prevent the end effector from being back-driven from its second orientation into its first orientation.