Surgical Tissue Sensing Device with Integrated Piston and Shuttle
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Solution Overview
Problem
During minimally invasive surgical procedures, clinicians face challenges in accurately identifying and evaluating tissue properties due to limited visibility, particularly in procedures like colorectal surgeries, where interior tissue inspection is necessary but difficult without additional assistance.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device with an adapter assembly, actuation assembly, shuttle, and piston assembly that couples to surgical handheld devices, allowing for the measurement of tissue properties such as temperature, impedance, permittivity, permeability, elasticity, and force applied, using sensors and motors to compress and clamp tissue for precise data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection is performed via imaging devices positioned within the colon, then tissue properties can be evaluated, but the visibility remains limited and additional clinicians are required to assist in imaging and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device enables self-service by integrating all necessary functions (imaging, sensing, actuation) into a single unit that can be operated by one clinician. The device autonomously performs tissue compression through the piston assembly and captures images through the imaging device, eliminating the need for additional assistants to manage separate imaging equipment and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the imaging device, sensing device with multiple sensors, and actuation assembly into a single integrated unit. This consolidation allows one clinician to perform all required functions simultaneously, reducing the need for multiple clinicians to assist with separate imaging and sensing operations.
2Loss of information
If the clinician visually inspects the exterior of the colon, then tissue can be observed, but interior tissue areas that require resection cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device is segmented into multiple functional components: imaging device for visual inspection, multiple sensors (temperature, impedance, permittivity, permeability, elasticity) for tissue property measurement, and actuation assembly for tissue compression. This segmentation allows comprehensive tissue evaluation including interior areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from two-dimensional exterior visual inspection to three-dimensional interior tissue evaluation by inserting the sensing device into the colon. The piston assembly can compress interior tissue against the sensors, enabling measurement of tissue properties in the third dimension (depth into the colon lumen).
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are integrated into the sensing device, then comprehensive tissue properties can be measured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device achieves universality by integrating multiple sensors that can measure different tissue properties (temperature, impedance, permittivity, permeability, elasticity) within a single device. This multi-functional design allows the device to adapt to various surgical needs and tissue types without requiring separate specialized instruments for each measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors are nested within the sensing device structure, with the piston assembly and clamp mechanism containing the sensor array. This nested configuration allows multiple sensors to be compactly arranged within the device housing, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If the piston assembly compresses tissue to enable sensing, then accurate tissue property measurement is achieved, but the force applied must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates force sensing capability through the sensors that detect the force applied by the piston assembly to the tissue. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and control the compression force in real-time, ensuring accurate tissue property measurement while preventing excessive force that could cause tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston assembly is designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing the compression force to be adjusted during the sensing process. The actuation assembly can modulate the piston movement to apply optimal force for each specific tissue type and measurement requirement, making the force control adaptable rather than fixed.
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 accurate and efficient measurement of tissue properties, improving the ability to identify diseased tissue areas during surgical procedures, reducing the need for additional assistance and enhancing the precision of surgical decisions.
Implementation Method 1
tissue temperature
Implementation Method 2
tissue impedance
Implementation Method 3
tissue permittivity
Implementation Method 4
tissue permeability
Implementation Method 5
tissue elasticity
Implementation Method 6
force applied by the sensing device to target tissue
Implementation Method 7
the piston assembly is coupled to the second drive shaft and configured to compress target tissue between the piston assembly and the clamp of the shuttle
Implementation Method 8
The trip spring is coupled to the coupling and the shuttle. The trip spring may exert a tensile force to urge the coupling toward a proximal-most position relative to the shuttle
Implementation Method 9
Rotation of the first drive shaft may cause the shuttle to advance proximally to clamp target tissue. Rotation of the second drive shaft may cause the piston assembly to advance distally to compress target tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device for sensing one or more tissue properties includes an adapter assembly, an actuation assembly, a shuttle, and a piston assembly. The adapter assembly is configured to couple to surgical handheld devices. The actuation assembly extends distally from the adapter assembly and is configured to operably couple to and be engaged by handheld devices coupled thereto. The actuation assembly includes a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft. The shuttle has a clamp and a shuttle sensor, and is coupled to the first drive shaft via a coupling. The shuttle sensor is disposed on the clamp. The piston assembly is coupled to the second drive shaft and configured to compress target tissue between the piston assembly and the clamp of the shuttle.