Surgical Instrument Control System for End Effector Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments face challenges in providing precise articulation and locking mechanisms for end effectors, which can lead to difficulties in performing complex surgical procedures with consistency and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical instrument with an articulation joint and lock system that utilizes a band mechanism for articulation control, allowing the end effector to be articulated relative to the shaft and locked in position, combined with an electric motor-driven firing mechanism for stapling and cutting, enabling precise tissue manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a band mechanism is used for articulation control, then the end effector can be precisely articulated and locked in position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation control system is divided into separate functional modules: a band mechanism for articulation control, a lock system for positioning, and an electric motor-driven firing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with high precision while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If an electric motor-driven firing mechanism is used, then stapling and cutting tasks are performed more effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual or mechanically-driven firing mechanism is replaced with an electric motor-driven system. This substitution provides more effective and consistent stapling and cutting performance through controlled motor actuation while the modular integration keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
3Reliability
If an articulation lock system is implemented, then the end effector can be securely locked in position, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock system is designed to automatically engage and secure the end effector in the articulated position without requiring additional manual intervention. The mechanism self-activates based on the articulation movement, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical instruments and control systems therefor are disclosed. A surgical instrument can comprise: a power circuit comprising a power source and a switch, a microcontroller coupled to the power circuit, a handle comprising an attachment portion, and a control circuit in signal communication with the microcontroller. The attachment portion can comprise a first electrical contact in signal communication with the microcontroller. The control circuit can comprise a sensor configured to detect an attachment state of the attachment portion. The control circuit can communicate the detected attachment state to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller can ignore signals from the first electrical contact when the control circuit communicates a detached state. The attachment portion can comprise a second electrical contact coupled to a second power circuit, and the second power circuit can decouple the second electrical contact and the second power source when the sensor detects the detached state.