Surgical Tool Pressure Sensor for Pancreatic Hardness Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tools lack objective methods to determine the softness or hardness of pancreatic tissue, relying on subjective assessments by surgeons, which are inaccurate and variable, especially for less experienced surgeons, and conventional durometer gauges provide only localized point-contact measurements.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tool with opposing jaws and a pressure sensor, connected to an electronic controller, that calculates organ hardness by compressing a wide area of the pancreas, providing repeatable and objective measurements through automated calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional durometer gauges are used to measure pancreatic hardness, then localized point-contact measurements are obtained, but measurement precision and repeatability deteriorate due to surgeon variability and subjective assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical durometer gauge system with an electronic pressure sensor system that provides objective, automated measurements. The pressure sensor (101) electronically detects force applied to the pancreas, eliminating the need for subjective mechanical assessment by the surgeon and providing precise, repeatable measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical tool performs self-measurement through integrated pressure sensors and automated calculation systems. The electronic controller (73) automatically calculates pancreatic hardness based on pressure sensor data, eliminating the need for surgeon expertise in subjective assessment and providing consistent, objective results regardless of surgeon experience level.
2Reliability
If a small contact area is used for pancreatic compression, then localized measurements are obtained, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to point-loading effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-contact measurement (zero-dimensional) to distributed surface measurement (two-dimensional). The pressure sensor distributes the measurement across a larger contact area on the jaw surface, providing more reliable measurements by capturing pressure distribution rather than relying on a single point measurement.
3Productivity
If manual subjective assessment is used to determine pancreatic softness, then surgeon experience is required, but productivity and accuracy deteriorate due to surgeon variability and extended evaluation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through the electronic controller that automatically processes pressure sensor data and provides immediate pancreatic hardness assessment. This eliminates the need for prolonged manual evaluation by the surgeon, reducing surgery duration while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy through automated real-time feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual surgical assessment with an automated electronic measurement system. The electronic controller automatically calculates hardness metrics from pressure sensor readings, eliminating surgeon variability and reducing the time required for assessment while improving measurement precision through consistent, objective data processing.
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 tool offers accurate, real-time pancreatic hardness measurements, reducing surgery duration and minimizing surgeon variability, with the ability to be sterilized for reuse or inexpensively manufactured for single use, providing a large surface area for compression.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure sensor mounted to the pancreas-compressing surface of one of the opposing jaws
Implementation Method 2
a displacement transducer or sensor is mounted to and/or located within a handle coupled to the surface
Implementation Method 3
an electronic controller is mounted to and/or located within the handle for calculating a hardness of a pancreas
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool includes opposing jaws, handles and at least one pressure sensor. Another aspect of a surgical tool includes opposing jaws with each having an organ-contacting surface area of at least 50 mm2. A further aspect of a surgical tool includes an electronic controller connected to at least one pressure sensor and automatically adapted to calculate or determine an organ-hardness from a sensor when jaws are moved to an organ-compressing position. In yet another aspect of a surgical tool, a pressure sensor is mounted to a pancreas-compressing surface and a displacement transducer or sensor is mounted to and/or located within a handle coupled to the surface, and an electronic controller is mounted to and/or located within the handle for calculating a hardness of a pancreas and/or other organ.