Powered Surgical Stapler Speed Control for Proper Staple Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional powered surgical staplers face issues with malformed staples due to rapid movement through varying tissue types and thicknesses, necessitating improved control over staple deployment and formation.
Innovation Solution
A powered surgical device with a motor, sensor, and controller that monitors and controls the stapling process by determining staple position, force thresholds, and adjusting speeds to ensure proper staple formation, including a strain gauge to measure forces and provide real-time feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rapid movement of actuators is used in powered surgical staplers, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates resulting in malformed staples
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the actuator movement speed based on real-time sensor feedback. The controller monitors sensor data during staple deployment and modifies the actuator speed accordingly, transitioning from rapid initial movement to slower, more controlled movement when staples are ejected, thereby ensuring proper staple formation while maintaining overall efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor is integrated to monitor the actuator position and staple ejection process in real-time. The sensor data is fed back to the controller, which uses this information to adjust the actuator speed and positioning, ensuring that staples are formed correctly despite the overall rapid stapling operation
2Manufacturing precision
If controlled speed adjustments are implemented during staple deployment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is integrated to monitor the actuator position and staple ejection process in real-time. The sensor data is fed back to the controller, which uses this information to adjust the actuator speed and positioning, ensuring that staples are formed correctly despite the overall rapid stapling operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own sensor feedback to automatically adjust its own actuator movement, eliminating the need for external manual control or complex external monitoring systems. The controller self-regulates the actuator based on real-time sensor data, simplifying the overall system architecture
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
The device ensures proper staple formation by controlling staple deployment and formation, reducing the risk of malformed staples through controlled speed adjustments and real-time monitoring, enhancing surgical precision.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may include a strain gauge configured to measure force imparted on the transmission assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A powered surgical device includes a power source and a motor coupled to the power source. The device may include a reload having a plurality of staples. The device may also include a transmission assembly movable by the motor. The device may also include a sensor configured to monitor operation of the transmission assembly and output sensor data. The device may also include a controller configured to: determine a position of the transmission assembly, and operate the motor based on the position of the transmission assembly to advance the transmission assembly to eject the plurality of staples from the reload. The controller is further configured to stop the motor once the plurality of staples is ejected from the reload for a preset period of time.