Power-Assisted Surgical Jaw Closure with Tissue Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices require high manual forces for tissue compression and have limitations in achieving optimal compression levels, which can lead to tissue damage or inadequate hemostasis, and struggle to accurately sense tissue type and adjust parameters accordingly.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with power-assisted jaw closure system, incorporating a motor and springs to increase compression force beyond manual capabilities, and a tissue-determining sensor to measure mechanical parameters for adjusting cutting speed and energy application based on tissue type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical linkages are used between closure actuator and jaws, then user control and tactile feedback are improved, but high manual forces are required and compression limits are reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical linkage system with a hybrid system that incorporates an actuator (motor or other power source) to assist jaw closure. The actuator applies force to the jaws through a mechanical advantage system, reducing the manual force required by the user while maintaining mechanical linkages for control and feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an actuator as an intermediary between the user's manual input and the jaws. This actuator serves as a force amplifier, taking the user's control input and translating it into sufficient closing force on the jaws without requiring the user to directly apply high forces.
2Reliability
If compression force is increased to improve hemostasis, then blood flow limitation is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect tissue characteristics (such as impedance, force, or other physiological parameters) and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the compression force applied by the jaws, increasing force when needed for hemostasis and reducing force when tissue damage risk is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the compression force dynamic rather than static. The force applied by the jaws can vary over time based on tissue response, allowing the system to apply higher forces initially for hemostasis and then reduce forces to maintain tissue integrity, or adjust forces in real-time based on sensor feedback.
3Reliability
If compression force is increased to improve hemostasis, then blood flow limitation is improved, but impedance measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts compression force based on the measurement needs. The system can reduce compression force temporarily when impedance measurements are required to ensure accuracy, then restore higher compression force when hemostasis is the priority, creating a dynamic balance between measurement accuracy and hemostatic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic measurement cycles where compression force is temporarily reduced or held constant during measurement phases to ensure accurate impedance readings, then restored or increased during treatment phases to maintain hemostasis, creating a rhythmic alternation between measurement and treatment modes.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If manual compression is used to avoid tissue damage, then tissue integrity is maintained, but hemostasis effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reliance on purely manual compression with an actuated system that can generate and control high compression forces automatically. This eliminates the limitation of human strength, allowing the system to apply forces sufficient for effective hemostasis while using sensors and control algorithms to prevent tissue damage.
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
The device reduces the manual force required for tissue compression, enhances hemostasis by optimizing compression levels, and accurately adjusts energy application to suit different tissues, minimizing tissue damage and improving surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring disposed therein, the motor being operatively coupled to the first spring such that the motor is configured to move the first spring from a first position to a second, compressed position to increase a force the jaws apply to the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical devices are provided having power-assisted or fully powered jaw closure. The devices herein generally include a handle portion, an elongate shaft, and an effector having first and second jaws configured to engage tissue. A motor and one or more compression springs can be operatively coupled, and activation of the motor can compress the spring(s) to reduce the amount of user supplied force to compress tissue between the jaws. In some embodiments, the devices can be configured to regulate an amount of compression applied by the jaws prior to, during, and/or after cutting of the tissue to promote hemostasis. For example, the devices can include sensors, processors, and/or other components that analyze data indicative of tissue type and tissue load. Based on this feedback, the device can automatically adjust the amount of compression or energy applied to the tissue to seal the tissue.