Anvil Assembly Delivery System with Spacer Suture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical anastomosis procedures using circular staplers face complications when the retrieval suture becomes trapped in the staple line during trans-oral delivery of the anvil assembly.
Innovation Solution
An anvil assembly delivery system with a flexible tube and a retrieval suture, where a spacer, such as a suture tube, is used to prevent the suture from being clamped between the anvil head assembly and the stapling instrument, including a tensioning member to maintain the anvil head in specific tilted positions and a rotatable cam member for movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a retrieval suture is attached to the anvil assembly to facilitate retrieval, then the anvil assembly can be retrieved from the surgical site, but the retrieval suture can become trapped in the staple line causing complications
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the retrieval suture and the anvil head assembly. This spacer prevents the suture from being clamped between the anvil head and stapling instrument, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of suture entrapment while preserving the retrieval function
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct functional components: the retrieval suture for retrieval, the spacer for protection, and the anvil head assembly for stapling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, preventing the suture from becoming trapped
2Ease of operation
If the anvil head assembly is positioned in a tilted position during delivery, then the anvil assembly can be delivered through the flexible tube, but the anvil head must be moved to a non-tilted operative position for stapling
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil head assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be tilted during delivery through the flexible tube and then adjusted to a non-tilted operative position for stapling. This dynamic adjustment is achieved through a tensioning member that can be manipulated to change the head assembly's position
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil head assembly is pre-positioned in a tilted configuration that facilitates easy delivery through the flexible tube. Before the stapling operation begins, the head assembly is adjusted to the correct non-tilted position, ensuring proper alignment for stapling while maintaining delivery ease
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
Prevents the retrieval suture from becoming trapped in the staple line, ensuring safe and effective delivery and retrieval of the anvil assembly while maintaining the anvil head in appropriate positions for stapling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The plunger is spring biased into contact with the cam member and movable distally to rotate the cam member to effect movement of the anvil head assembly from the first tilted position to the operative non-tilted position
Implementation Method 2
A spacer is supported on the retrieval suture adjacent the anvil head assembly. The spacer is dimensioned to prevent the suture from being clamped between the anvil head assembly and a stapling instrument
Data Source
AI summary
An anvil assembly delivery system includes an anvil assembly having a center rod and an anvil head assembly pivotally secured to the center rod a flexible tube having a first end configured for oral insertion into a patient and a second end engaged with the anvil assembly, and a retrieval suture connected to the head assembly positioned to extend from the anvil assembly in a direction opposite to the flexible tube. The anvil assembly delivery system also includes a spacer suture tube positioned adjacent the anvil head assembly and defining a suture channel, which is supported on the retrieval suture and is dimensioned to prevent the retrieval suture from becoming trapped in the staple line of a stapling device. In an embodiment, the spacer is a suture tube defining a suture channel which receives the retrieval suture.