Surgical Instrument Feedback Control via Optical Waveguide Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments face challenges in accurately monitoring and controlling the position and displacement of actuation members during stapling and cutting procedures, leading to potential inconsistencies and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a stretchable optical waveguide sensing system that stretches as the actuation member moves, allowing for real-time monitoring of light transmission changes to determine displacement and position, with a control circuit adjusting the actuation program to ensure precise firing strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional mechanical sensing systems are used to monitor actuation member position, then the device structure is simpler, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient due to backlash and mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensing systems with an optical sensing system. The optical waveguide runs through the actuation member and detects position changes through light transmission variations, eliminating mechanical contact and backlash while achieving high measurement precision without significant increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical waveguide as an intermediary element that runs through the actuation member. This waveguide mediates between the moving actuation member and the sensing system, allowing non-contact detection of position and displacement through optical signal transmission while the actuation member moves.
2Reliability
If mechanical sensing systems are used, then device complexity is lower, but reliability deteriorates due to backlash and inconsistent firing strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the optical sensing system continuously monitors actuation member position and provides real-time feedback to the control circuit. The control circuit processes this feedback information and adjusts the actuation program to ensure consistent and reliable firing strokes, eliminating the reliability issues of mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing with optical sensing to improve reliability. The optical waveguide provides consistent, wear-free measurement of actuation member position, eliminating mechanical backlash and wear that cause inconsistent firing strokes in traditional mechanical systems.
3Measurement precision
If optical waveguide sensing system is implemented, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity increases due to additional optical components and control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical waveguide to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a structural element running through the actuation member and a sensing element for detecting position and displacement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensing components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the optical sensing function with the existing actuation member structure by running the optical waveguide through it. This integration combines the mechanical actuation function and optical sensing function into a unified system, reducing the number of separate components and minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides accurate and consistent displacement monitoring, correcting for system backlash and ensuring full firing strokes, thereby enhancing the precision and reliability of surgical stapling and cutting operations.
Implementation Method 1
stretches as the actuation member moves, allowing for real-time monitoring of light transmission changes to determine displacement and position
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, a drive component positioned with the shaft, and a surgical control circuit comprising a motor control program configured to run a motor configured to drive the drive component is disclosed. The control circuit is configured to receive a first measurement of a parameter of the motor, receive a second measurement of a parameter of the drive component, compare the first measurement and the second measurement, determine an actual relationship of the first measurement and the second measurement based on the comparison, compare the actual relationship to an expected relationship, and adjust the motor control program based on the comparison of the actual relationship and the expected relationship to align the actual relationship with the expected relationship.