Adjustable Compression Staple for Safe Tissue Closure Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical staples lack the ability to automatically control the compression force applied to tissue, leading to potential tissue damage due to inconsistent force delivery, which can result in necrosis, especially when dealing with varying tissue types and conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an adjustable compression staple equipped with a self-adjusting, pre-tensioned compression device that maintains the compression force within an optimal tissue compression range, using a sinusoidal or compressible OTC device integrated or attached to the staple, ensuring consistent force application regardless of tissue changes during desiccation or swelling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional staples are used to fasten tissue, then the stapling operation is simple and quick, but the compression force applied to tissue is inconsistent and can cause tissue damage or necrosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the staple by incorporating a compression spring between the staple legs that can be compressed a predetermined distance. This spring mechanism automatically adjusts and maintains consistent compression force on the tissue regardless of variations in tissue type, thickness, or condition, thereby preventing tissue damage while maintaining stapling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The compression spring acts as an intermediary element between the staple legs and the tissue. This mediator component absorbs variations in tissue properties and delivers consistent compression force, resolving the contradiction between simple stapling operation and consistent force application without causing tissue damage
2Reliability
If conventional staples compress tissue to achieve closure, then the closure effect is achieved, but the compression force cannot be controlled and may exceed safe limits
Solution Approach 1:
The compression spring is pre-loaded and configured to compress a predetermined distance before the staple is deployed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the staple engages the tissue, the compression force is automatically limited to safe levels while still achieving effective closure, providing both reliability and controlled operation
3Shape
If the staple legs are bent to compress tissue, then material compression is achieved for closure, but the compression force varies with tissue properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic element (compression spring) between the staple legs that can dynamically adjust to varying tissue properties. The spring compresses a predetermined distance regardless of tissue variations, maintaining consistent compression force across different tissue types, thicknesses, and conditions while achieving effective closure
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 adjustable compression staple effectively maintains tissue compression within a safe range, preventing tissue damage by automatically adjusting to changes in tissue state, ensuring optimal compression without causing necrosis, even when dealing with varying tissue hardness and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and formed to resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a pre-defined, substantially constant force
Implementation Method 2
a self-adjusting, pre-tensioned compression device that maintains the compression force within an optimal tissue compression range
Data Source
AI summary
A compression-self-adjusting staple that comprises a substantially U-shaped staple having a bridge, two legs extending from the bridge at an angle thereto, and a compression device. The compression device is at least partly disposed between the legs and has a bias portion with a compression surface that is movably disposed between the legs and a compression resistor. The compression resistor is connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and is formed into a plurality of bends that resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a pre-set compressive force.