Angled Fastener Delivery in Surgical Applicator Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for hernia mesh attachment face challenges in endoscopic procedures due to the difficulty in penetrating Cooper's ligament and the need for improved ergonomics and maneuverability, particularly in laparoscopic surgery, where traditional spring mechanisms and rotary magazines are cumbersome and less effective.
Innovation Solution
An applicator instrument with a firing system that includes a pivotally connected firing rod with a flexible joining member, allowing surgical fasteners to be dispensed at an angle relative to the primary axis, enabling better access to the abdominal wall and reducing the need for articulation, thus simplifying the interface and reducing torque at the trocar site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional spring mechanisms and rotary magazines are used for fastener delivery, then fasteners can be delivered sequentially, but the instrument becomes cumbersome and less maneuverable in laparoscopic surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex spring mechanisms and rotary magazines from the instrument design. Instead, it uses a simple linear magazine that holds multiple fasteners in a row, with a straightforward firing mechanism that advances and deploys fasteners sequentially without requiring complex feeding or rotation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is segmented into distinct functional modules: a simple linear magazine for fastener storage, a separate firing mechanism for advancement and deployment, and a clean interface between components. This segmentation simplifies each individual component while maintaining the capability to deliver multiple fasteners.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the firing rod moves only along the primary axis, then the mechanism is simple, but the instrument cannot achieve angled fastener delivery for better access to Cooper's ligament
Solution Approach 1:
The firing rod is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to bend and change angle during operation. The rod can flex to accommodate angled delivery paths while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the instrument to adapt to different anatomical configurations and achieve off-axis fastener deployment without requiring complex articulation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The firing rod incorporates flexible sections that allow it to bend and conform to angled paths. This flexibility enables the rod to deliver fasteners at various angles relative to the instrument axis, providing better access to Cooper's ligament and other target structures while keeping the overall mechanism simple.
3Ease of operation
If articulation mechanisms are added to improve ergonomics, then the interface becomes more complex and torque at the trocar site increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes articulation mechanisms from the design entirely. Instead of adding complex joints and articulation systems to improve ergonomics, the instrument relies on the flexibility of the shaft and firing rod to achieve the necessary angling and positioning, thereby simplifying the interface and reducing torque transmission to the trocar site.
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing. The elongated shaft has a proximal end secured to the housing, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and a first axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The surgical fasteners are stacked at an angle relative to the first axis of the elongated shaft. A distal end cap having a surgical fastener dispensing window is secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a firing system disposed in the housing, and an actuator coupled with the firing system for activating the firing system to dispense the surgical fasteners through the surgical fastener dispensing window.