Bioabsorbable Adhesive Buttress for Surgical Stapler Tissue Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments lack a mechanism to reinforce the mechanical fastening of tissue, leading to potential staple pull-through and tissue tearing at the application site.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a buttress material with an adhesive layer on the staple cartridge or anvil of the surgical stapler to provide structural support and prevent staple pull-through, while also potentially aiding in hemostasis through hemostatic agents like fibrin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surgical stapler is used to fasten tissue, then the tissue can be sealed and cut, but the mechanical fastening may fail with staple pull-through and tissue tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a bicomponent adhesive system (first component from the adhesive cartridge and second component from the anvil or cartridge) that reacts to form a strong bonding agent. This composite adhesive system provides superior bonding strength to prevent staple pull-through while maintaining tissue integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between mechanical fastening reliability and tissue holding strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive system acts as an intermediary between the staples and the tissue, providing an additional bonding mechanism that enhances the mechanical fastening. The adhesive fills gaps and creates a strong bond between the staple legs and tissue, preventing pull-through without requiring increased staple penetration depth that could damage tissue.
2Loss of time
If the incision size is reduced for endoscopic surgery, then post-operative recovery time is reduced, but the precision and control of surgical instruments become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument incorporates self-positioning features where the adhesive cartridge and anvil automatically align and engage during the stapling process. The cartridge is designed to fit precisely into the anvil with automatic registration features, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures and maintaining ease of operation despite the constrained endoscopic access.
3Strength
If a buttress material is added to reinforce staple lines, then tissue tearing is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adhesive delivery system with the existing staple cartridge structure. The adhesive cartridge integrates with the staple cartridge, and the adhesive components are incorporated into the anvil or cartridge body, creating a unified device that provides both mechanical fastening and chemical bonding without requiring separate buttress material application steps or additional complex components.
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 buttress material enhances the integrity of the staple line, reduces the risk of tissue tearing, and assists in reducing bleeding at the surgical site by promoting coagulation.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive material that adheres the buttress to the surgical stapler
Implementation Method 2
assists in reducing bleeding at the surgical site by promoting coagulation
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical stapler end effector comprises a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a buttress assembly. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a deck. The staple cartridge is operable to drive the staples through the deck. The anvil is movable from an open position toward the staple cartridge to reach a closed position. The anvil includes an underside having staple forming surface configured to receive staples driven through the deck. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The buttress body defines a plurality of cells. The adhesive material comprises a polymer. The polymer is bioabsorbable. A first portion of the adhesive material is located within cells of the plurality of cells. A second portion of the adhesive material is located on the buttress body outside the plurality of cells.