Surgical End Effector Short Circuit Detection and Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical stapling and cutting instruments face challenges in efficiently stapling and cutting tissue while ensuring precise control and minimizing tissue trauma.

Innovation Solution

The development of a surgical instrument with an end effector that includes a staple cartridge and an anvil, equipped with a firing mechanism that allows for controlled stapling and cutting, along with articulation joints for enhanced maneuverability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a surgical instrument is designed with a firing mechanism for stapling and cutting, then tissue stapling and cutting efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue stapling and cutting efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stapling and cutting functions into a single firing mechanism. The anvil is configured with both stapling surfaces and cutting edges, allowing both functions to be performed by one action. This merging of functions increases productivity while avoiding the complexity of separate stapling and cutting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anvil is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both stapling and cutting operations. The single anvil structure includes multiple stapling surfaces for different row configurations and integrated cutting edges, making it a universal component that handles multiple surgical functions without requiring separate specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If articulation joints are added for enhanced maneuverability, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument shaft is divided into multiple segments that can articulate relative to each other. The articulation joints are positioned at specific locations along the shaft, allowing each segment to move independently. This segmentation enables the distal end effector to reach into difficult-to-access anatomical spaces while keeping the proximal handle portion stable and easy to control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulation joints introduce dynamic movement capability to an otherwise rigid shaft structure. The joints allow controlled flexion and extension movements, transforming the static shaft into a dynamic, adaptable structure that can change its configuration based on the surgical task and anatomical requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12232796B2Electrosurgical techniques for sealing, short circuit detection, and system determination of power level
Publication Date: 2025.02.25 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
  • US12232796B2 patent drawing
  • US12232796B2 patent drawing
  • US12232796B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a method of detecting a short circuit in the jaws of an end effector of a surgical instrument. The method includes applying a sub-therapeutic electrical signal to an electrode located in the jaws of the end effector. The sub-therapeutic electrical signal comprises a sequence of exploratory waveforms comprising pulsed current and voltage waveforms. The method includes detecting a shorted electrode when a measured electrical parameter in the jaws of the end effector is less than a predetermined value and modifying electrical current applied to the shorted electrode by the RF generator.