Surgical End Effector Force Sensing for Failure Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical instruments often fail due to unknown causes, requiring extensive analysis by manufacturers to determine failure modes, which is costly and challenging, often attributing failures to improper use without clear evidence.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument equipped with sensors and a memory device that records conditions, allowing for the monitoring and recording of sensor outputs to track instrument states and provide data for analysis, including a motor-driven end effector with force feedback capabilities for improved user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical instruments are equipped with sensors and memory devices to record operating conditions, then the ability to analyze failure causes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by recording operating conditions and parameters before failures occur. Sensors continuously monitor and store data about instrument operation, so when a failure happens, the recorded data is already available for immediate analysis without needing to reconstruct the failure scenario later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sensors and memory devices as intermediaries between the instrument's operation and the failure analysis process. These components mediate by capturing and storing operational data, which then serves as evidence for determining failure causes, reducing the need for complex direct analysis of the failure itself.
2Measurement precision
If extensive analysis is performed to determine failure modes, then the accuracy of failure cause identification is improved, but the time and cost required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent records operational data in advance during normal instrument use, so when a failure occurs, the analysis can proceed immediately with pre-captured evidence. This eliminates the time-consuming process of attempting to reconstruct or investigate the failure conditions after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing recorded operational data back to the analysis process. The sensors continuously monitor instrument operation and store this information, which then feeds into the failure analysis system, enabling rapid and accurate determination of failure modes based on objective recorded evidence rather than speculation.
3Ease of operation
If force feedback capabilities are added to motor-driven end effectors, then user control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing force feedback capabilities in the motor-driven end effector. Sensors detect the forces applied during surgical operations and provide real-time feedback to the user through the control system, enabling more precise and intuitive control while maintaining surgical dexterity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the end effector system, combining motor-driven actuation with force feedback capabilities in a single unified device. This multi-functionality allows the instrument to both execute precise motorized movements and provide tactile feedback to the user, enhancing ease of operation without requiring separate independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument. Various embodiments of the surgical instrument include an end effector that has a moveable cutting implement. A main drive shaft assembly operably interfaces with the end effector for transmitting an actuation motion to the movable cutting implement therein. A gear drive train is connected to the main drive shaft assembly. The gear drive train is actuated by a motor that is configured to receive control signals from a robotic system. Various embodiments include a sensor arrangement that operably interfaces the end effector to communicate forces experienced by the end effector to the robotic system.