Tissue Compression Control via Motor Force Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling procedures face challenges in maintaining a uniform tissue gap during compression, leading to potential contamination, infection, and tissue trauma due to high clamping forces and structural fatigue, which can result in anastomosis failure and excessive bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing an electric motor to clamp tissue between two members, monitoring and controlling the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit, adjusting voltage and current to prevent excessive force, and tracking structural fatigue and staple firing through current profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high clamping forces are applied to compress tissue during stapling, then the tissue gap is reduced and stapling effectiveness is improved, but tissue trauma increases and structural fatigue occurs leading to anastomosis failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs force sensors to continuously monitor clamping forces during the stapling procedure. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when force thresholds are approached and adjust accordingly, preventing excessive force application that would cause tissue trauma while maintaining sufficient compression for effective stapling and uniform tissue gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of clamping forces throughout the stapling process. Rather than applying static high force, the system dynamically adjusts force levels based on real-time tissue compression feedback, tissue gap measurements, and procedural stage, optimizing the balance between achieving uniform compression and preventing tissue damage.
2Productivity
If constant closing rate is used during clamping, then the stapling procedure is simplified and productivity is improved, but excessive power is imparted into the tissue causing trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from constant closing rate to dynamic closing rate control. The system continuously adjusts the closing rate based on real-time feedback from force sensors and power measurements, slowing down when approaching force thresholds to prevent tissue trauma while maintaining overall procedural efficiency. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between productivity and tissue protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses real-time feedback from force sensors and power monitoring to regulate the closing rate during clamping. When measured power or force approaches predetermined thresholds, the system automatically reduces the closing rate, preventing excessive power impartation to the tissue while maintaining adequate stapling speed for clinical productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If clamping structures are exposed to high forces to maintain uniform tissue gap, then stapling precision is improved, but the clamping members experience structural fatigue and deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs force sensors to monitor clamping forces and detect signs of structural fatigue in the clamping members. By continuously measuring the forces required to maintain compression, the system can identify when clamping members are approaching their structural limits or showing signs of deflection, allowing for timely intervention or replacement before failure occurs, thus maintaining both precision and reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If high clamping forces are applied to ensure adequate tissue compression, then the tissue gap is reduced for effective stapling, but the risk of excessive bleeding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses real-time force monitoring to detect tissue compression status and adjust clamping forces accordingly. By maintaining forces within optimal ranges rather than continuously applying high forces, the system achieves adequate tissue compression for small tissue gaps while avoiding excessive compression that would damage blood vessels and cause excessive bleeding.
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 approach ensures controlled tissue compression, minimizing trauma and maintaining a consistent tissue gap, reducing the risk of contamination and anastomosis failure, while allowing for real-time monitoring of clamping force and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for controlling the compression of tissue include clamping tissue between a first clamping member and a second clamping member by driving at least one of the clamping members with an electric motor toward a predetermined tissue gap between the clamping members and, during the clamping, monitoring a parameter of the electric motor indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the clamping members. The method and device include, during the clamping, controlling the electric motor, based on the monitored parameter, to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.