Tissue Compression Load Cell Feedback for Staple Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face challenges in determining the optimal amount of compression and time for tissue before applying surgical elements like staples or sutures, especially with varying tissue types such as ischemic or diabetic tissue, where excessive compression can lead to necrosis and inadequate compression may result in improper staple formation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that measure the reactive load and slope of tissue compression over time, signaling when the optimal compression threshold is reached to ensure proper staple formation without tissue necrosis, using a device with a load cell and movable platen to determine the optimal tissue thickness and strain for surgical element insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If compression is applied to tissue to ensure proper surgical element formation, then surgical element formation quality is improved, but tissue necrosis risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a load cell to continuously measure the reactive load of tissue during compression and provides real-time feedback to the surgeon through a display device. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to monitor the compression force and stop at the optimal point (when slope exceeds threshold) to achieve proper surgical element formation without exceeding the necrosis threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective surgeon judgment about tissue compression with an objective mechanical measurement system. The load cell quantifies the reactive load and its slope, converting the complex biological response into a measurable mechanical parameter that can be precisely controlled and monitored.
2Manufacturing precision
If compression time is extended to achieve optimal tissue preparation, then surgical element formation quality is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the slope of reactive load over time and provides real-time feedback to determine the optimal compression duration. The surgeon is guided to stop compression when the slope exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring optimal tissue preparation without excessive compression time that could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes predetermined slope thresholds based on tissue characteristics and surgical element requirements before the actual compression begins. This preliminary determination of acceptance criteria allows the surgeon to know in advance when optimal compression has been achieved, eliminating the need for extended trial-and-error compression.
3Manufacturing precision
If compression force is increased to ensure proper staple formation, then surgical element formation quality is improved, but tissue necrosis risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective surgeon judgment about adequate compression force with objective mechanical measurement using a load cell. The system quantifies the reactive load and its rate of change, providing precise control over compression force to achieve proper staple formation without exceeding tissue tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The load cell provides real-time feedback on compression force through display devices, allowing the surgeon to monitor and adjust compression force dynamically. This ensures the minimum force required for proper staple formation is applied without exceeding the force threshold that would cause tissue necrosis.
4Device complexity
If tissue compression is monitored manually by surgeon judgment, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a load cell to replace subjective surgeon judgment with objective mechanical measurement. The load cell precisely quantifies the reactive load and its slope, providing accurate measurement of tissue compression state without requiring complex subjective assessment by the surgeon.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue itself provides the measurement information through its reactive load response to compression. The load cell measures this self-generated mechanical response, allowing the tissue to essentially measure its own compression state without requiring external complex sensing systems.
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 solution allows for precise determination of optimal tissue compression, ensuring proper surgical element formation and preventing tissue damage by indicating when the surgical element should be applied, thereby improving surgical outcomes and reducing complications.
Implementation Method 1
determining a reactive load applied by the tissue in response to the load
Implementation Method 2
applying a load to the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining an optimal amount of tissue compression for applying a surgical element to tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a device for compressing tissue which supports a measuring device adapted to detect a tissue parameter upon the compression of tissue. The measuring device communicates with an indicator. Upon compressing tissue, when the measuring device determines that the compressed tissue parameter reaches a predetermined threshold, the measuring device sends a signal to the indicator such that the indicator provides an indication to a surgeon that the threshold has been reached. The measuring device may include a load cell and the tissue parameter may be a viscoelastic reactive force of the tissue per unit time.