Motorized Surgical Stapler Feedback for Firing Position Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical staplers lack user feedback mechanisms for the cutting/stapling operation, making it difficult for clinicians to verify the deployment and loading force of the cutting instrument, which can lead to incomplete or improper stapling and severing of tissue.

Innovation Solution

A motor-driven surgical stapling system with a handle containing a motor and battery, a firing member sensor to detect the position of the firing member, and a shaft to support a stapling assembly, providing user feedback through a proportional sensor system that controls the motor's rotation based on the force applied by the clinician.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a motor-driven surgical stapling system is used, then productivity and precision of the cutting and stapling operation are improved, but device complexity increases due to the addition of motor, battery, and sensor components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting and stapling operation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an electric motor-driven system. The motor receives electrical signals from the control circuit and converts them into mechanical motion to drive the cutting and stapling operations, eliminating the need for purely manual mechanical actuation and improving operational precision and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a sensor system that detects the position of the firing member and provides real-time feedback to the control circuit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and adjust its operation dynamically, ensuring precise control over the cutting and stapling process while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If user feedback mechanisms are added to detect firing member position, then measurement precision and operational accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiring member position detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor and control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a sensor system that detects the position of the firing member and provides real-time feedback to the control circuit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and adjust its operation dynamically, ensuring precise control over the cutting and stapling process while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual monitoring and estimation of firing member position with an automated sensor-based detection system. The sensor electronically detects the precise position of the firing member, converting mechanical position information into electrical signals that can be processed by the control circuit for accurate measurement and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If tactile feedback is provided to the user through the handle, then ease of operation and user control are improved, but device complexity increases due to the feedback control system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control and verification capabilityVSAvoidfeedback control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a sensor system that detects the position of the firing member and provides real-time feedback to the control circuit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and adjust its operation dynamically, ensuring precise control over the cutting and stapling process while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the handle as an intermediary between the user and the motor-driven system. The handle transmits tactile feedback forces to the user's hand, allowing the user to sense and verify the operation status through touch while the motor performs the actual cutting and stapling actions, bridging the gap between automated operation and user control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9326769B2Surgical instrument

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

A surgical stapling system is disclosed. The surgical stapling system comprises a housing comprising a motor and a battery configured to supply power to the motor. The surgical stapling system further comprises a firing actuator operably coupled with the motor and a stapling assembly comprising a plurality of staples and a distal end. The surgical stapling system further comprises a shaft configured to support the stapling assembly, a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion from the motor to the stapling assembly, and a firing member sensor system configured to detect the position of the firing member within a detectable range of positions relative to the end of the stapling assembly.