Surgical Suturing Control Circuit for Adaptive Needle Advancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments face challenges in efficiently and accurately suturing tissues due to limitations in needle tracking and control, leading to variable stitch quality and potential tissue damage from uneven needle advancement.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical suturing instrument with an adaptive needle driving system and advanced sensing mechanisms, including resistive sensing circuits and needle sensing systems, that monitor needle position and movement to adjust the firing stroke and ensure consistent tissue penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical instruments are used for suturing, then the procedure can be performed, but the needle tracking and control are inefficient and inaccurate, leading to variable stitch quality and potential tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reactive control system that continuously monitors needle position and tissue resistance during the firing stroke, using sensor feedback to dynamically adjust motor commands. This closed-loop control ensures accurate needle tracking and consistent stitch quality by compensating for variations in tissue properties in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts needle advancement speed and force based on real-time tissue resistance measurements. The control algorithm modifies motor commands during the firing stroke to maintain optimal penetration rates, adapting to varying tissue thickness and density to prevent both excessive force and insufficient penetration
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional surgical instruments are used, then the procedure can be performed, but tissue damage occurs from uneven needle advancement
Solution Approach 1:
Sensor feedback during the firing stroke provides real-time information about tissue resistance and needle position, enabling the control system to adjust advancement parameters dynamically. This prevents excessive force application and ensures uniform needle penetration through varying tissue depths
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as motor speed, torque, and firing stroke duration based on real-time tissue properties. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes needle penetration while minimizing tissue trauma and ensuring consistent stitch formation across different tissue types
3Measurement precision
If advanced sensing mechanisms are added to improve needle control, then precision is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions including needle position tracking, tissue resistance measurement, real-time parameter adjustment, and safety monitoring into a single reactive control algorithm. This multi-functional approach achieves high measurement precision while managing device complexity through unified control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the surgical instrument's existing mechanical components as part of the sensing mechanism, where the motor's electrical characteristics provide information about needle position and tissue resistance. This self-service approach reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors while maintaining measurement precision
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
This solution enables precise control over needle advancement, improving stitch consistency and reducing tissue damage by automatically adjusting the needle's speed and sequence based on tissue thickness and resistance, enhancing the overall efficiency and accuracy of suturing procedures.
Implementation Method 1
resistive sensing circuits and needle sensing systems, that monitor needle position and movement
Data Source
AI summary
A modular surgical instrument is disclosed. The modular surgical instrument comprises a control interface, a shaft extending from the control interface, an end effector extending from said shaft, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to sense the electrical potential applied to the modular surgical instrument, determine if the sensed electrical potential is above a predetermined threshold, and adjust the operation of the modular surgical instrument when the sensed electrical potential exceeds the predetermined threshold.