Anastomat Switch-Locking Linkage for Precise Cutting Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric staplers used in minimally invasive surgery suffer from accuracy issues due to manual control limitations, leading to incomplete stapling or excessive extrusion, which can cause leakage and irregular stenosis, affecting surgical outcomes and patient recovery.

Innovation Solution

A stapler with a switch-lock linkage mechanism that integrates a firing locking push button, push rod, and detection module, allowing for mechanical control of the knob position, ensuring stability and accuracy during anastomosis, and featuring a reset key member for automatic resetting without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual rotation of the knob is used to control the cutting assembly position, then the device structure is simple, but the position accuracy deteriorates due to hand fatigue and limited manual control precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidposition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical rotation system with an automated motor-driven system. The motor assembly drives the knob through a transmission mechanism, eliminating manual rotation and its associated precision losses due to hand fatigue. This substitution maintains structural simplicity while significantly improving position accuracy through controlled motor operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual control of the knob position is used, then the device operation is simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to incomplete stapling or excessive extrusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice operationVSAvoidstapling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a detection module that monitors the knob's angular position and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures the cutting assembly reaches and maintains the precise predetermined position, preventing both incomplete stapling and excessive extrusion. The system automatically adjusts based on detected position, significantly improving reliability while keeping operation simple through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the cutting assembly position is not fixed during cutting and closing, then the device is easier to operate, but the harmful factors increase due to position shifting causing leakage and irregular stenosis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidposition shifting harmful effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic locking mechanism that automatically secures the knob at the predetermined position during the cutting and closing operation. The locking assembly engages when the detection module confirms the target position is reached, maintaining fixed positioning throughout the critical surgical phase. This dynamic approach prevents position shifting and its harmful effects while preserving ease of operation through automated positioning and locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 mechanism enhances use stability and convenience by maintaining the cutting assembly's position, reducing hand fatigue, and improving surgical efficiency and ease of use for both left- and right-handed operators.

Implementation Method 1

a lead screw; a firing locking push button inserted in the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a trigger block that matches with a detection module of the firing switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4609802A1Anastomat with switch locking linkage mechanism
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 INNOLCON MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP4609802A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4609802A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4609802A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a stapler with switch-lock linkage mechanism, the stapler includes a housing, a knob, an effector, a drive motor, a lead screw and a firing locking push button. The firing locking push button is inserted in the housing, with at least one end thereof protruded from the housing. A front end of the firing locking push button has a driving part, and a bottom of the driving part is fixedly arranged with a trigger block matching a detection module of the firing switch. A push rod is arranged in the housing in parallel with the lead screw, with a first end abutting against the driving part all the time. The firing locking push button drives, through radial movement thereof, the driving part to synchronously drive the push rod to move axially relative to the knob, such that a second end of the push rod is inserted into the knob to lock the knob; meanwhile, the trigger block leaves the detection module. In the present disclosure, a linkage structure is formed between the firing locking push button, the push rod and the detection module, triggering of the firing switch and locking of the knob can be completed simultaneously through radial movement of the firing locking push button, thereby ensuring the surgical accuracy and the use stability and convenience.