Surgical Instrument Knife Position Display Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical stapling and cutting instruments lack effective mechanisms for real-time feedback and control, particularly in displaying the position of the knife during firing strokes and managing operational states to prevent errors and optimize performance.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a displacement member, sensor, and control circuit that detects the position of the displacement member and displays it on a user interface, allowing for real-time monitoring of the knife's position and determining the instrument's firing state to provide alerts and manage power accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time display of knife position is implemented during firing, then operational safety and clinician awareness are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the position of the displacement member (knife) during firing and provides real-time visual feedback through a display. This allows the clinician to monitor knife position continuously, improving operational safety without requiring complex manual monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection or complex mechanical indication systems with an electronic sensor and display system. The sensor optically detects knife position and converts it to visual information on a display, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving reliability.
2Measurement precision
If sensor and display components are added to monitor knife position, then measurement precision and operational control are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optical sensor system to detect knife position, replacing complex mechanical measurement systems. The sensor provides precise measurement of displacement member position through optical means, achieving high measurement precision with relatively simple implementation.
3Loss of information
If the instrument provides comprehensive real-time information and alerts, then loss of information is reduced and operational awareness is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements targeted feedback that provides essential information (knife position, firing state) to the clinician through a display. This selective feedback approach reduces information loss without requiring comprehensive monitoring of all instrument parameters, thereby limiting device complexity.
4Loss of time
If the instrument automatically powers down after completing surgical operations, then loss of time and energy efficiency are improved, but reliability and ability to respond to clinician needs may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the instrument can automatically power down after surgical operations to save time and energy, while maintaining the capability to be quickly reactivated or kept operational when needed. This dynamic approach balances time efficiency with reliability based on actual clinical needs.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument are disclosed. In one aspect, the surgical instrument includes a displacement member movable between a first position and a second position, a sensor configured to detect the position of the displacement member, and a display. The surgical instrument is configured to determine whether the surgical instrument is in a firing state and cause the display to display the position of the displacement member upon the surgical instrument being in the firing state.