Surgical Stapler Interlocks and Timer-Controlled Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered surgical stapling and cutting instruments lack reliable interlock features to prevent inadvertent firing and jaw manipulation during unsafe conditions, such as lack of a staple cartridge, improper installation, or open jaws, which can lead to ineffective stapling, tissue cutting without stapling, and mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of electronic interlocks and sensors in surgical instruments to monitor and record conditions, ensuring safe operation by preventing firing without a staple cartridge, improper closure, or open jaws, and providing user feedback through proportional sensors and motor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic interlocks and sensors are incorporated to monitor and prevent inadvertent firing, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic interlock system performs preliminary monitoring of jaw position and firing conditions before allowing the firing sequence to occur. The sensor detects whether the jaws are in the closed position, and the interlock prevents motor activation unless the predetermined condition (jaws closed) is met, thereby preventing inadvertent firing while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the position of the jaws and provide feedback to the control circuit. This feedback mechanism allows the interlock to dynamically adjust whether firing is permitted based on real-time jaw position, ensuring safe operation while managing system complexity through intelligent control
2Manufacturing precision
If a timer is added to control the firing sequence duration, then precision and control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timer component introduces periodic control to the firing sequence by automatically deactivating the motor after a predetermined time interval. This ensures the firing process completes within a controlled duration, improving precision without requiring complex manual timing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The timer operates autonomously once activated, automatically controlling the motor shutdown after the predetermined interval elapses. This self-service timing function eliminates the need for continuous manual monitoring or complex control algorithms, achieving precision while minimizing added complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical instruments and/or fastener apparatuses comprising an end effector with a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position. At least one of the jaws may comprise a channel for receiving a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. Also, an electrically powered actuator may be for deploying the surgical fasteners and may comprise a power source and a motor. An activation mechanism may be attached to the handle to move the pair of jaws from the open to the closed position and to activate the actuator. A lockout mechanism may be configured to permit current to flow from the power source to the motor when the pair of jaws is in the closed position and to prevent current from flowing to the power source to the motor when the pair of jaws is in the open position.