Robotic Surgical End Effector State Logging for Failure Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical instruments often fail, making it challenging and costly for manufacturers to analyze failures and determine the cause, as current methods rely on reconstructing failure conditions from damaged instruments, often attributing failures to improper use without clear data.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument equipped with sensors and an externally accessible memory device that records the conditions of the end effector and robotic system, allowing for real-time monitoring and data logging of instrument states during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manufacturers rely on manual reconstruction of failure conditions from damaged instruments, then analysis cost and time are reduced (no sensors/memory needed), but measurement precision and reliability of failure analysis deteriorate due to lack of actual operational data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing sensors and memory devices in advance within the instrument before failure occurs. These components continuously monitor and record operational parameters (temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc.) so that when failure happens, the data is already captured and stored, eliminating the need for post-failure reconstruction and providing accurate failure condition information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sensors as intermediary devices that mediate between the physical operational conditions and the data storage system. The sensors convert physical parameters (temperature, pressure, flow) into electrical signals that can be stored in memory, creating an intermediary layer that bridges the gap between physical failure conditions and analyzable data.
2Loss of information
If no data recording system is implemented, then device complexity remains low, but loss of information occurs as failure conditions cannot be accurately determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring and storing operational data before failure occurs. The memory device is pre-configured to capture critical parameters, ensuring that when failure happens, the information is already recorded and preserved, preventing any loss of failure condition data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having sensors continuously monitor operational parameters and feed this information to the memory storage system. This closed-loop feedback ensures that real-time operational data is captured and stored, providing complete information about the conditions leading up to and during failure events.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and memory devices are added to the instrument, then reliability of failure analysis improves through accurate data collection, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional integrated system where sensors serve multiple purposes: monitoring operational parameters during normal operation, detecting failure conditions, and providing diagnostic data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high reliability.
4Productivity
If real-time monitoring and data logging are implemented, then productivity of failure analysis improves by eliminating manual reconstruction, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the instrument to automatically monitor, record, and store its own operational data without external intervention. The instrument serves itself by capturing failure condition information, eliminating the need for manufacturers to manually reconstruct failure scenarios, thereby significantly improving failure analysis productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.