Hardware-Only Motor Control Circuit for Surgical Instrument Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments lack efficient modular designs and advanced control systems for precise tissue manipulation and real-time feedback, leading to limitations in surgical precision and procedural efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising a handle with modular shaft assemblies and advanced control systems, including a drive module with a motor and speed reduction gear, and an end effector with articulation and rotation capabilities, integrated with sensors and feedback mechanisms for real-time control and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical instruments use modular designs with multiple components, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into modular components including a handle assembly, shaft assembly, and end effector that can be selectively attached and detached. This segmentation allows the system to be configured for different surgical procedures while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions by integrating the control circuit, power source, and control inputs in a single unit. The system can perform various surgical operations including grasping, cutting, and stapling using different end effectors attached to the same handle, reducing the need for multiple separate instruments.
2Measurement precision
If surgical instruments integrate advanced control systems with sensors and feedback mechanisms, then measurement precision and control accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit receives input from sensors located in the shaft and end effector that provide real-time feedback on tissue interaction forces, position, and operational status. This feedback enables precise control of the motor-driven mechanisms while maintaining safety through automated monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit integrates multiple functions including motor control, sensor data processing, safety monitoring, and communication protocols in a single electronic unit within the handle. This consolidation improves measurement precision while managing complexity by centralizing control functions rather than distributing them across multiple separate systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If surgical instruments use motorized drive systems with speed reduction gears, then manufacturing precision and operational control are improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cable-driven actuation with motorized drive systems that use electric motors and planetary gear mechanisms. This substitution provides more precise control of the end effector movements and eliminates the need for complex cable routing and manual actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system uses planetary gear mechanisms where gears are nested within each other, with the sun gear at the center, planetary gears around it, and a ring gear enclosing them. This nested configuration achieves high gear reduction ratios in a compact space, improving motion precision without proportionally increasing the overall size or complexity of the mechanical transmission system.
4Reliability
If surgical instruments implement real-time feedback and monitoring systems, then reliability and safety are improved, but loss of information and communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit continuously monitors operational parameters including motor current, temperature, and sensor readings from the shaft and end effector. This real-time feedback enables the system to detect anomalies, prevent unsafe operations, and provide haptic feedback to the operator, thereby improving reliability without requiring external monitoring systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electric motor and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of logic gates and a monostable multivibrator. The monostable multivibrator is connected to a first one of the logic gates. The control circuit is configured to alter a rate of action of a function of the surgical instrument by controlling a speed of rotation of the electric motor based on a sensed parameter.