Surgical Instrument Electronic Interlocks for Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling and cutting instruments lack reliable electronic interlocks to prevent inadvertent firing and jaw manipulation when the staple cartridge is not installed, improperly installed, or spent, or when the instrument is not in a safe condition for operation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical cutting and stapling instrument with an end effector comprising a channel, a pivotally attached anvil, a moveable cutting instrument, and a staple cartridge, featuring a first interlock circuit that enables motor operation based on the staple cartridge's position and a second interlock circuit with an electromechanical actuator to prevent anvil movement during cutting, ensuring safe and optimal stapling and cutting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motorized actuation is added to reduce force-to-fire, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of inadvertent firing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary interlock circuit between the motor control system and the firing mechanism. This circuit acts as a mediator that verifies proper cartridge installation and anvil positioning before allowing motor actuation, thereby preventing inadvertent firing while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock circuit provides feedback about the system's ready state by monitoring cartridge presence and anvil position. This feedback mechanism ensures that the motor is only activated when safety conditions are met, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety.
2Reliability
If mechanical interlocks are used to prevent inadvertent firing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical interlock systems with an electronic interlock circuit that uses electrical switches and control logic. This substitution maintains reliability for preventing inadvertent firing while significantly reducing mechanical complexity and improving ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If electronic interlocks are added to verify cartridge installation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple electrical switches and circuit logic to verify cartridge installation and anvil position, replacing what would otherwise require complex mechanical verification mechanisms. This approach improves reliability while keeping the added complexity minimal and manageable.
4Reliability
If multiple safety checks are implemented, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple safety checks through electronic circuitry rather than mechanical components, making the system easier to manufacture. Electronic switches and control circuits can be more readily integrated and tested during assembly compared to complex mechanical interlock systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes an end effector and a handle. The end effector includes a channel, an anvil pivotally attached to the channel, a moveable cutting instrument for cutting an object positioned between the anvil and the channel, and a staple cartridge configured for removable receipt by the channel. The staple cartridge includes a sled that is engaged by the cutting instrument during a cutting stoke. The handle includes a motor for actuating the cutting instrument via a main drive shaft assembly. The instrument further includes a first interlock circuit for enabling initiation of motor operation based upon a position of the staple cartridge.