Motorized Surgical Stapler Articulation for Precise Firing Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in precision and efficiency, particularly in navigating complex tissue structures during procedures like stomach sleeve creation, due to limitations in articulation and staple firing path control.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapling instrument with advanced articulation mechanisms and a display system that allows for real-time control of staple firing paths, enabling precise tissue manipulation and staple placement through a combination of motorized drive systems and a touch-sensitive display for guiding the stapler.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical stapling instruments are used, then the device structure is simple, but the precision of staple placement and tissue manipulation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into multiple independent motorized modules, each controlling a specific degree of freedom (articulation, advancement, staple firing). This segmentation allows precise control of each function while maintaining overall system manageability through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument incorporates dynamic control systems with multiple motors that can independently adjust articulation angles, advancement distance, and firing timing in real-time. This dynamic adaptability enables precise staple placement on complex 3D tissue surfaces while the system responds to surgeon inputs and tissue feedback.
2Measurement precision
If advanced articulation mechanisms are added to improve tissue manipulation precision, then the articulation control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors and control circuits that provide real-time feedback on articulation position, motor status, and tissue engagement. This closed-loop feedback enables precise articulation control while the control system automatically compensates for mechanical tolerances and tissue variability, reducing the impact of mechanical complexity on precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized articulation mechanism serves multiple functions: positioning the end effector at precise angles, maintaining tissue grip, and coordinating with the firing mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms, managing complexity while enhancing precision.
3Productivity
If real-time display control is implemented, then the operational efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces with an electronic display and control system. The display shows real-time instrument position, articulation angle, and firing status, while electronic controls replace mechanical linkages for adjusting parameters. This substitution improves operational efficiency through visual feedback and programmable control, managing complexity through software-based solutions.
4Speed
If multiple motorized drive systems are used to enable dynamic control, then the speed of tissue manipulation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions the end effector and articulates to the required angle before tissue engagement and firing. The control system pre-coordinates the sequence of motor activations, ensuring that all components are ready for rapid tissue manipulation and staple firing. This preliminary action enables high-speed operation while the control system manages the complexity of coordinating multiple motors.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapler for stapling the tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical stapler comprises a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, a plurality of staple clusters, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a tissue compression surface and an anvil movable toward the tissue compression surface during a closing stroke, an anvil closing system configured to move the anvil through the closing stroke, and a staple firing system configured to deploy a staple cluster positioned in the end effector during a staple firing stroke. The surgical stapler further comprises a tissue cutting system configured to cut the patient tissue during a tissue cutting stroke and a propulsion system configured to move the end effector relative to the patient tissue during a propulsion stroke.