Mechanochromic pressure sensor for safe and effective tissue handling in minimally invasive surgery
AssigneeFondazione Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia
InventorsGoffredo GIORDANO, Edoardo SINIBALDI, Yu HUAN, Mariacristina GAGLIARDI, Marco CARLOTTI, Barbara MAZZOLAI
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Abstract
A mechanical end-effector for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) equipped with a mechanochromic indicator for providing the surgeon with visual indication of the force applied upon a tissue is disclosed. The indicator includes a polymeric matrix functionalized with mechanochromic molecules, wherein a prepolymer/curing agent weight ratio used for preparing the matrix is in the range 1:1-15:1 and the percentage by weight of the mechanochromic molecules in the matrix is in the range 0.1-5%.
Claims19
A manipulation device for minimally-invasive surgery, comprising a grasping device configured for acting upon a tissue,
- which grasping device comprises a mechanochromic indicator,
- wherein said mechanochromic indicator has a polymeric matrix functionalized with mechanochromic molecules,
- wherein said mechanochromic indicator is configured to provide the operator with a visual colour feedback when a pre-determined threshold force or pressure is applied upon the tissue,
- wherein said manipulation device further comprises a force transmission mechanism to transfer a reaction force applied from the tissue upon a proximal jaw of said grasping device to said mechanochromic indicator, and pressure means configured to apply a pressure upon said mechanochromic indicator,
- wherein said force transmission mechanism is configured so that said pressure means apply a pressure upon said mechanochromic indicator which is amplified with respect to the pressure applied from the tissue upon said proximal jaw.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.