Surgical Stapler Feedback Control for Defect-Aware Firing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized surgical stapling and cutting instruments lack the ability to adjust firing parameters such as speed, timing, and clamp pressure in real-time based on the continuous determination of defect density in staple formation.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument with a control circuit that adjusts closing and firing motions based on sensor feedback from arrays detecting staple malformation, allowing for real-time adjustments to improve staple formation and tissue cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If real-time adjustment of firing parameters is implemented, then staple formation quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaple formation qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensors to detect staple formation quality in real-time and feeds this information back to the control circuit, which automatically adjusts firing parameters such as speed, timing, and clamp pressure. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables dynamic optimization of staple formation without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit dynamically modifies multiple firing parameters including speed of firing, timing of pauses, duration of firing pauses, and clamp pressure based on real-time sensor data. These parameter changes allow the system to adapt to varying tissue conditions and achieve optimal staple formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring of defect density is implemented, then staple integrity is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaple integrityVSAvoiddefect density detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors continuously monitor staple formation and provide real-time feedback on defect density to the control circuit. This enables the system to detect and respond to quality issues as they occur, ensuring consistent staple integrity through automated parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual inspection with automated sensor-based detection to assess defect density. This substitution of mechanical/visual inspection with electronic sensing enables more precise, continuous, and objective measurement of staple quality parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250241642A1Surgical instrument with multiple program responses during a firing motion

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel, a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge, an electric motor and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor. The control circuit is configured to change a firing motion of the surgical instrument based on a combination of events.