Motorized Surgical Stapler Power Boost and Winding Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers often require sequential use of tools for severing and stapling, which can lead to complications, and motor-powered surgical instruments face limitations in power management and torque-speed flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The development of cordless motorized surgical instruments with a charge accumulator device for additional power, motor windings that can be connected in series or parallel for high-speed low-torque or low-speed high-torque operations, and a replaceable battery pack with a charge management circuit for efficient power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential use of separate tools for severing and stapling is employed, then simplicity of individual tools is maintained, but surgical complications increase and procedure time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines severing and stapling functions into a single integrated surgical instrument. The instrument includes a stapling system with staple drivers and a severing system with a cutting element that can simultaneously or sequentially perform both stapling and cutting operations on tissue, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing surgical complications
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument is designed with multi-functionality to perform both stapling and severing operations. The instrument includes interchangeable or selectable end effectors that can execute different surgical functions, allowing a single instrument to replace multiple specialized tools while maintaining operational reliability
2Speed
If motor windings are connected in series, then high-speed operation is achieved, but torque output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a motor with windings that can be dynamically reconfigured between series and parallel connections. A switching mechanism allows the motor to operate in series mode for high-speed applications and parallel mode for high-torque applications, providing adaptive performance based on real-time surgical requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The motor's electrical parameters are changed by altering the winding connection configuration. By switching between series and parallel connections, the motor's speed-torque characteristics are adjusted to match the specific operational demands of different surgical tasks, enabling optimal performance across varying conditions
3Force
If motor windings are connected in parallel, then high-torque operation is achieved, but speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor with reconfigurable windings allows dynamic switching between parallel connection for high-torque operations and series connection for high-speed operations. This dynamic adaptation enables the motor to provide appropriate torque and speed characteristics for different surgical phases, such as high torque during tissue compression and high speed during rapid stapling deployment
4Power
If battery alone provides power, then device simplicity is maintained, but power availability is insufficient for high-demand operations
Solution Approach 1:
The power system merges a battery with a charge accumulator device to create a hybrid power supply. The battery provides baseline power for low-demand operations, while the charge accumulator device supplements power during high-demand operations such as motor activation, ensuring sufficient power availability without requiring a continuously large battery
Solution Approach 2:
The charge accumulator device is pre-charged during periods of low power demand and then discharged during high-power requirements. This preliminary charging action allows the system to deliver high power pulses when needed without requiring the battery to be continuously oversized, optimizing power delivery across varying operational demands
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
Enables simultaneous severing and stapling with improved power management and flexibility in torque-speed output, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a battery and a charge accumulator device, such as a capacitor or a secondary battery, connected in parallel with each other and capable of independently powering the motor
Implementation Method 2
The motor may have a first set of windings and a second set of windings. In a first mode of operation, the first and second sets of windings are connected in parallel. In a second mode of operation, the first and second sets of windings are connected in series
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.