Circular Anvil Buttress Attachment via Crush Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a reliable and removable attachment of buttress material to circular surgical stapling devices that does not interfere with the device's operation, remains in place until after the fasteners are fired, and is easy to install and use.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an anvil assembly with a circular anvil head, an o-ring made of elastomeric material, and a snap feature that allows the anvil cap to move between approximated and unapproximated positions, securing and releasing the circular anvil buttress member, ensuring it remains on the tissue engaging surface until the device is activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If buttress material is attached to the circular stapling device, then tissue reinforcement and sealing are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil assembly is segmented into multiple components: anvil head, anvil cap, and crush ring. The buttress material is attached to the anvil head, while the anvil cap and crush ring work together to secure it in place. This segmentation allows the buttress material to be reliably attached without requiring the entire device to be overly complex, as each component has a specific function in the attachment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The crush ring acts as an intermediary element between the anvil cap and the anvil head with the attached buttress material. When the anvil cap is compressed against the anvil head, the crush ring is crushed between them, creating a secure mechanical interlock that holds the buttress material in place. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable attachment without requiring complex fastening systems.
2Reliability
If buttress material is securely attached to remain during stapling, then tissue integrity is maintained, but ease of removal after operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is dynamic rather than static. The anvil cap can be positioned in two states: a compressed state during stapling where it secures the buttress material firmly, and a released state after stapling where it allows easy removal. The crush ring maintains the compressed state during operation but releases when the anvil cap is moved away, enabling easy removal of the buttress material after the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The buttress material is pre-attached to the anvil head before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary attachment ensures the material is in place and secure before stapling occurs, maintaining tissue integrity throughout the procedure. After stapling is complete, the anvil cap is simply moved away to release the crush ring, allowing easy removal of the now-secured buttress material without requiring complex removal tools or procedures.
3Ease of operation
If simple attachment mechanism is used, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability of retention during operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is self-securing through the compression action. When the anvil cap is compressed against the anvil head during normal device operation, the crush ring automatically crushes between them, creating a secure mechanical interlock that holds the buttress material in place. No additional fastening steps or complex mechanisms are required - the normal compression during stapling serves to secure the attachment, making the system both simple to install and reliable during operation.
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 design allows for secure attachment and easy release of the buttress material, maintaining tissue integrity and facilitating the stapling process without compromising the device's functionality, enhancing the surgical procedure's effectiveness and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The anvil cap supports an o-ring formed of an elastomeric material including nitrile. The o-ring is disposed in a compressed condition when the anvil cap is disposed in the approximated position
Implementation Method 2
The snap feature cams over the ramped feature as the anvil cap moves from the approximated position to the unapproximated position
Data Source
AI summary
An anvil assembly includes a circular anvil head that supports a crush ring, an anvil cap that supports an o-ring, and a circular anvil buttress member. The cap connects to the head and is movable relative to the head between approximated and unapproximated positions. The crush ring is spaced from the cap when the cap is in the approximated position and movable into engagement with the cap to move the cap to the unapproximated position. The buttress member includes a body portion and an extension portion. The body portion is supported on the head and the extension portion is secureable between the o-ring and the head when the cap is in the approximated position. The extension portion is releasable from between the o-ring and the head when the cap is disposed in the unapproximated position so that the body portion separates from the head.