Adhesive Tape Buttress Attachment for Surgical Staplers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical stapling apparatus require additional materials and increased firing forces to release surgical buttresses, as they often rely on secondary structures and knife blades to cut these materials for detachment.

Innovation Solution

The use of an adhesive tape strategically placed over central longitudinal slots on staple cartridges and anvil plates to securely attach surgical buttresses, which are then laser welded, allowing for release by breaking the adhesive bond during firing without the need for secondary materials or knife blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a continuous layer of adhesive extending across the whole width of the buttress is used, then the attachment is simplified, but the firing forces required to release the buttress are excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment structureVSAvoidfiring force
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer is segmented into discrete adhesive tabs positioned at specific locations on the buttress rather than using a continuous adhesive layer across the entire width. This segmentation allows the buttress to be released with lower firing forces while maintaining secure attachment during the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If secondary materials or mounting structures are used to attach the surgical buttress, then the attachment is more secure, but the number of materials and firing forces required are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidnumber of materials
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive tabs are integrated directly into the buttress structure itself, combining the attachment function with the buttress material. This eliminates the need for separate secondary mounting structures or additional materials, reducing overall material quantity while maintaining secure attachment through the laser-welded adhesive tabs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 method reduces material usage and firing forces required for releasing surgical buttresses, providing a more efficient and minimally invasive attachment mechanism for surgical stapling procedures.

Implementation Method 1

An adhesive tape is disposed over the central longitudinal slot of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate and configured retain the respective surgical buttress atop the respective tissue contacting surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the surgical buttress is laser welded to the adhesive tape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2745784B1Buttress attachment to the cartridge surface
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP2745784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2745784B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2745784B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5

AI summary

An end effector (16) for use with a surgical apparatus. The end effector comprising a staple cartridge (200) having a tissue contacting surface (220)defining a central longitudinal slot and an anvil plate (302) having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot. A surgical buttress (500)releasbly disposed on the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate. An adhesive tape (240, 340) is disposed over the central longitudinal slot (238, 338) of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate and configured retain the respective surgical buttress atop the respective tissue contacting surface.