Smart Surgical Stapler Closure Sensing for Unsafe Function Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical systems lack effective mechanisms to prevent unsafe operations based on sensed closure parameters, potentially leading to tissue damage or other complications during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising a control circuit and a surgical instrument with an end effector assembly that includes a sensor to detect closure parameters. The control circuit analyzes these parameters based on system-defined constraints and prevents specific functions of the surgical instrument if the analysis indicates unsafe conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical systems perform operations without effective safety mechanisms, then operational freedom and productivity are maintained, but tissue damage and surgical complications occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is pre-programmed with system-defined constraints and safety thresholds for closure parameters. Before surgical operation begins, the system establishes predetermined safe operating limits, enabling real-time safety enforcement without requiring complex adaptive decision-making during surgery. This preliminary configuration allows the system to automatically prevent unsafe functions while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor continuously monitors closure parameters and feeds this data back to the control circuit in real-time. The control circuit compares detected parameters against pre-defined constraints and automatically prevents unsafe surgical functions when threshold violations are detected. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures surgical safety through automated monitoring and intervention without requiring complex manual oversight.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If real-time monitoring of closure parameters is implemented, then tissue damage is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety monitoring function is extracted as a separate control circuit that independently evaluates sensor data against pre-defined constraints. This modular approach allows the monitoring system to operate autonomously from the surgical instrument's primary functions, simplifying integration while providing comprehensive safety oversight. The control circuit focuses solely on detecting parameter violations and preventing unsafe operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring through integrated sensors that continuously detect closure parameters without requiring external monitoring equipment. The control circuit automatically processes this data and enforces safety constraints without needing external intervention or complex additional systems. This self-service capability reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective tissue damage prevention.
3Reliability
If safety constraints are enforced on surgical instrument functions, then surgical safety is improved, but operational efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit dynamically adjusts system operation based on real-time sensor feedback. When closure parameters remain within safe constraints, the surgical instrument operates without restriction, maintaining full efficiency. Only when parameters approach or exceed predefined thresholds does the system intervene to prevent unsafe functions. This dynamic response ensures safety enforcement minimizes impact on overall surgical efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system comprises a control circuit, a surgical instrument and a user interface is disclosed. The end effector assembly may comprise a sensor configured to detect a parameter associated with a function of the end effector, and transmit the detected parameter to the control circuit. Further, the control circuit may be configured to analyze the detected parameter based on a system-defined constraint and prevent at least one function of the surgical instrument based on a result of the analysis. The user interface may be configured to provide a current status regarding at least one prevented function of the surgical instrument.