Motorized Surgical Stapler Lockout Sensing for Complete Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers lack user feedback mechanisms for the cutting and stapling operation, making it difficult for clinicians to verify the proper deployment and loading force of the cutting instrument, which can lead to incomplete or improper stapling and cutting.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven surgical stapler with a control system that includes sensors and a motor to provide user feedback on the deployment and loading force of the cutting instrument, preventing the firing motion when a lockout condition is detected, ensuring proper stapling and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a motor-driven surgical stapler is used to automate the cutting and stapling operation, then productivity and precision are improved, but device complexity increases due to the addition of motors, sensors, and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect lockout conditions and provide information to the control system. The control system processes this feedback and adjusts motor operation accordingly, enabling automated verification of proper deployment and loading force, which resolves the technical contradiction by automating quality verification without requiring manual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument performs self-verification of its own operation through integrated sensors and control systems. The lockout mechanism automatically detects whether the cutting instrument is properly deployed and whether adequate loading force is applied, and the system prevents incomplete firing without external intervention, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through automation
2Reliability
If lockout conditions are implemented to prevent incomplete firing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary verification through lockout conditions that check whether the cutting instrument is properly deployed and whether adequate loading force is applied before allowing the stapling operation to proceed. This preliminary action ensures reliability by preventing incomplete firing, and the complexity is managed by integrating these checks into the existing motor-driven control system rather than adding separate verification mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors detect lockout conditions and provide feedback to the control system, which then prevents motor actuation until proper deployment and loading force are confirmed. This feedback loop ensures reliable operation by automatically verifying critical parameters before firing, with the control system managing the complexity of coordinating multiple verification steps
3Measurement precision
If user feedback mechanisms are added to verify deployment and loading force, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that measure deployment position and loading force, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback enables precise verification of whether the cutting instrument is properly deployed and whether adequate loading force is applied, thereby improving measurement precision. The control system integrates these measurements into the firing decision process, managing the complexity by coordinating sensor data with motor control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual verification mechanisms with electronic sensors and control systems that automatically measure deployment position and loading force. This substitution improves measurement precision by providing objective, quantifiable data rather than relying on manual assessment, while the electronic control system manages the complexity of processing and acting on this data
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapler comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a firing member configured to move at least partially through the end effector, a stop configured to create a lockout condition by impeding an advancement of the firing member through the end effector, and a sensor configured to detect the lockout condition. The surgical stapler further comprises a handle. The handle comprises an electric motor configured to transmit a force to the firing member. The handle further comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor. The sensor is in communication with the control system. The control system controls the electric motor to adjust the force transmitted to the firing member when the lockout condition is communicated to the control system.