How a Surgical Stapler Detects and Handles Resistance
This patent describes a surgical stapler that can automatically pause its stapling action if it encounters too much resistance, then resume, to ensure smooth and safe operation.
Original patent title: “Feedback algorithms for manual bailout systems for surgical instruments”
This patent describes a surgical stapler that can automatically pause its stapling action if it encounters too much resistance, then resume, to ensure smooth and safe operation. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This surgical system uses a powered firing rod to deploy staples. A small computer, called a microcontroller, constantly checks the electrical current drawn by the motor that drives this rod. If the motor starts pulling too much current, meaning it's encountering unexpected resistance, the microcontroller detects this current draw exceeding a predefined threshold value. It then tells the motor to pause the firing rod's movement for a set period of time. After this brief stop, the stapler tries to resume the firing stroke. If the resistance is now lower, the microcontroller allows the motor to continue stapling without further speed adjustments. For example, if a stapler encounters unexpectedly dense tissue, it would pause, then attempt to continue, potentially preventing damage or a stalled procedure.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover surgical staplers that are purely manual and not driven by an electric motor.
- Does not cover systems that detect resistance using sensors other than the motor's electrical current draw, such as direct force sensors.
- Does not cover systems that only stop when resistance is detected without attempting to resume or adjust velocity after a pause.
- Does not cover systems where the firing rod's velocity is adjusted without first pausing movement for a predefined period of time.
- Does not cover surgical instruments that do not deploy staples via a translated firing rod.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is the specific feedback loop: detecting excessive motor current, then performing a temporary pause, and finally re-evaluating the resistance before deciding to resume or adjust. This intelligent 'bailout' mechanism allows the stapler to adapt to varying tissue conditions rather than simply stopping or forcing through.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Powered surgical staplers (e.g., those used in laparoscopic surgery)
Surgical stapling systems from Medtronic
Surgical stapling systems from Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon division
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology improves the safety and reliability of powered surgical staplers. By automatically responding to resistance, it helps prevent the stapler from getting stuck or damaging delicate tissues during a procedure. This can lead to more consistent surgical outcomes and increased confidence for surgeons using these advanced tools.
Filed
January 17, 2025
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major medical device companies like Johnson & Johnson (Ethicon) and Medtronic are continuously innovating in the powered surgical stapler market. These companies invest heavily in improving the safety and performance of their instruments, often incorporating advanced feedback and control algorithms similar to those described in this patent.
Market impact
This type of feedback algorithm enhances the precision and safety of powered surgical staplers, which are critical tools in many modern surgeries. It contributes to the ongoing evolution of surgical instruments, allowing for more reliable operation in complex anatomical environments and potentially reducing complications during procedures. This could influence design standards for future generations of automated surgical tools.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This surgical system uses a powered firing rod to deploy staples. A small computer, called a microcontroller, constantly checks the electrical current drawn by the motor that drives this rod. If the motor starts pulling too much current, meaning it's encountering unexpected resistance, the microcontroller detects this current draw exceeding a predefined threshold value. It then tells the motor to pause the firing rod's movement for a set period of time. After this brief stop, the stapler tries to resume the firing stroke. If the resistance is now lower, the microcontroller allows the motor to continue stapling without further speed adjustments. For example, if a stapler encounters unexpectedly dense tissue, it would pause, then attempt to continue, potentially preventing damage or a stalled procedure.
The clever bit
The clever part is the specific feedback loop: detecting excessive motor current, then performing a temporary pause, and finally re-evaluating the resistance before deciding to resume or adjust. This intelligent 'bailout' mechanism allows the stapler to adapt to varying tissue conditions rather than simply stopping or forcing through.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover surgical staplers that are purely manual and not driven by an electric motor.
- Does not cover systems that detect resistance using sensors other than the motor's electrical current draw, such as direct force sensors.
- Does not cover systems that only stop when resistance is detected without attempting to resume or adjust velocity after a pause.
- Does not cover systems where the firing rod's velocity is adjusted without first pausing movement for a predefined period of time.
- Does not cover surgical instruments that do not deploy staples via a translated firing rod.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 18.3 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How a Surgical Stapler Detects and Handles Resistance (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,931). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733931/feedback-algorithms-for-manual-bailout-systems-for-surgical-instruments
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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New to patents?
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Surgical Stapler Detects and Handles Resistance cover?
This patent describes a surgical stapler that can automatically pause its stapling action if it encounters too much resistance, then resume, to ensure smooth and safe operation.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology improves the safety and reliability of powered surgical staplers. By automatically responding to resistance, it helps prevent the stapler from getting stuck or damaging delicate tissues during a procedure. This can lead to more consistent surgical outcomes and increased confidence for surgeons using these advanced tools.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover surgical staplers that are purely manual and not driven by an electric motor.
Patent monitoring