Anvil Buttress Loading Unit for Surgical Stapling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical buttress materials for surgical stapling systems are complex to manufacture and apply, and their range of application is limited, which hinders efficient tissue reinforcement and staple formation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling system with an anvil buttress loading unit that includes a loader, clip, and release strap, allowing for selective attachment of a buttress and release strap to a jaw member, simplifying the application process and expanding the range of use by using a loader with lances and a detent assembly for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional buttress materials are used with surgical stapling apparatus, then tissue reinforcement is provided, but the complexity of manufacture and application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the buttress material, release strap, and loading mechanisms into an integrated loading unit that attaches to the surgical stapling apparatus. This merging of components simplifies the overall system by pre-assembling the buttress with its application mechanism, reducing the complexity of separate manufacturing and application steps while ensuring reliable tissue reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The buttress material is pre-positioned within the loading unit and pre-attached to the release strap before surgery. This preliminary preparation allows the surgeon to simply attach the pre-assembled unit to the stapling apparatus and deploy it, eliminating complex intraoperative assembly steps and reducing application complexity while maintaining effective tissue reinforcement.
2Reliability
If traditional buttress application methods are used, then tissue coverage is achieved, but the range of application is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The loading unit design with the release strap and clip mechanisms creates a universal application system that can accommodate different buttress material types, sizes, and configurations. The standardized interface with the surgical stapling apparatus allows the same loading mechanism to apply various buttress materials in different surgical scenarios, expanding the range of application while ensuring reliable tissue coverage.
3Reliability
If manual attachment of buttress materials is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but the time and precision required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release strap is designed to automatically engage with the loading unit and the surgical stapling apparatus through the catch assembly and detent mechanisms. Once the loading unit is positioned, the self-service attachment mechanism secures the buttress in place without requiring complex manual manipulation or precise alignment by the surgeon, reducing attachment time while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch assembly and detent mechanisms serve as intermediary elements that facilitate automatic engagement between the loading unit and the surgical stapling apparatus. These intermediary components translate simple positioning actions into secure locked attachments, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual fastening while ensuring reliable secure attachment of the buttress material.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling system includes a surgical stapling apparatus and a buttress loading unit. The surgical stapling apparatus includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member configured to fasten tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. The buttress loading unit includes a loader and a clip supported in the loader. The loader and the clip support a release strap and a buttress. The clip is configured to selectively attach the release strap and the buttress to the first jaw member when the loader is positioned on the first jaw member.