Motorized Surgical Stapler Lockout for Cartridge Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face challenges in determining the cause of failures, leading to costly and time-consuming analyses, often attributing failures to improper use without clear evidence, and lack user feedback for the cutting/stapling operation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical fastening instrument with an electronic lockout system that ensures the fastener cartridge is present before allowing the electric motor to apply a firing motion, and provides user feedback through a motor-driven mechanism with sensors to control the deployment and loading force of the cutting instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronic lockout system is implemented to ensure fastener cartridge presence, then reliability is improved by preventing accidental firing, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic lockout system performs preliminary verification of fastener cartridge presence through sensors before allowing the firing operation to proceed. The system checks for the cartridge and proper installation of components before enabling the motor-driven firing mechanism, thereby preventing accidental firing without requiring complex post-firing analysis systems.
2Measurement precision
If sensors and user feedback mechanisms are added to monitor deployment and loading force, then measurement precision is improved for controlling cutting instrument, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that provide real-time feedback on deployment position and loading force during the cutting operation. This feedback enables precise control of the motor-driven end effector, allowing the surgeon to monitor and adjust the firing process. The feedback mechanism uses straightforward sensor outputs that integrate with the existing motor control system rather than requiring complex additional processing.
3Reliability
If comprehensive condition monitoring is implemented to determine failure causes, then reliability is improved by reducing improper use, but loss of time increases due to detailed analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic lockout system performs preliminary verification of proper instrument setup and cartridge installation before allowing firing. By checking conditions in advance and providing user feedback during operation, the system prevents improper use before failures occur, rather than requiring lengthy post-failure analysis to determine causes of problems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents accidental firing without a fastener cartridge and provides user feedback, enhancing control and reducing the likelihood of instrument failures by ensuring proper usage and condition monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The surgical fastening instrument comprises a handle including an electric motor... the electric motor is configured to impart a firing motion to the firing member
Implementation Method 2
The surgical fastening instrument comprises a handle including... a battery configured to supply power to the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical fastening instrument is disclosed. The instrument comprises an end effector cartridge assembly, a handle, and a firing member, wherein an electric motor is configured to impart a firing motion to the firing member to eject fasteners from a fastener cartridge of the end effector cartridge assembly. The instrument further comprises an electronic lockout system configured to ascertain whether the fastener cartridge is present in the end effector, permit the motor to apply the firing motion to the firing member when the presence of the fastener cartridge has been ascertained, and prevent the motor from applying the firing motion to the firing member when the presence of the fastener cartridge has not been ascertained.