Enhanced Surgical Instrument with Adaptive Gear Ratio and Real-Time Feedback
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved surgical instrument that optimizes tissue cutting and stapling operations through a variable gear ratio and real-time feedback, ensuring precise and efficient surgical procedures.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed a surgical instrument with a rotation-driven and translation-driven tissue cutting knife. However, this design had limitations in terms of efficiency and precision. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing an adaptive gear ratio and real-time feedback mechanism, enabling the instrument to adjust to varying tissue types and conditions.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced surgical instrument features a firing drive comprising a motor and a gear train with a variable gear ratio. This gear train is designed to optimize tissue cutting and stapling operations by adjusting the gear ratio in real-time based on feedback from sensors monitoring the procedure. The motor is controlled by a microprocessor that receives input from the sensors and adjusts the gear ratio accordingly. Additionally, the instrument includes a control unit that receives feedback from the instrument and adjusts the firing drive to ensure optimal performance.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce the concept of an adaptive gear ratio and real-time feedback mechanism, which is not present in the original patent. This inventive step enables the surgical instrument to dynamically adjust to varying tissue types and conditions, ensuring precise and efficient surgical procedures.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different types of sensors, such as force sensors or temperature sensors, to monitor the surgical procedure. Additionally, the control unit could be integrated into the surgical instrument itself or remain as a separate component.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced surgical instrument has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery. The instrument's ability to optimize tissue cutting and stapling operations could lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced recovery times, and increased efficiency in surgical procedures.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B17/072 |
| A | A61 | A61B17/07207 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/07264 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/07271 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/07278 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/07285 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Surgical instrument design, specifically electromechanical surgical cutting and stapling devices with complex mechanical drive systems for tissue manipulation
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer with expertise in mechanical design, electromechanical systems, surgical instrumentation, with knowledge of gear trains, motor control, and precision medical device engineering
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that adding adaptive gear ratio and real-time feedback mechanisms to a surgical instrument represents a predictable engineering solution for improving precision and performance. The source patent establishes a foundational design for a surgical cutting instrument, and the PTD introduces standard control engineering techniques to enhance operational flexibility. These modifications represent incremental improvements using known technological approaches within surgical instrument design.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,184 |
|---|---|
| Title | Surgical instrument comprising a rotation-driven and translation-driven tissue cutting knife |
| Assignee(s) | Cilag GmbH International |