Pivotal Anvil Head Suture Retention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anvil assemblies for surgical stapling devices often experience premature detachment of guide sutures during trans-oral insertion, which can lead to incomplete stapling procedures and tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
An anvil assembly with a pivotally secured head assembly and a cutting ring, featuring first and second openings and a slot for receiving a suture, along with a biasing member to maintain the head assembly in a tilted position, and a suture guide assembly with a reel system to ensure the guide suture remains attached until the procedure is complete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a guide suture is threaded through openings in the anvil head to facilitate trans-oral insertion, then the anvil assembly can be delivered to the surgical site, but the guide suture may detach prematurely during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil head is made pivotally movable between an operative position and a tilted position. In the tilted position, the openings are oriented to facilitate suture threading during insertion, while in the operative position, the openings are oriented to secure the guide suture and prevent detachment. This dynamic repositioning allows the same structure to serve both insertion and retention functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A retaining suture is introduced as an intermediary element to secure the guide suture to the anvil head. The retaining suture passes through the openings and is tied off to prevent guide suture detachment, providing an additional mechanical connection that ensures reliable attachment throughout the procedure.
2Ease of operation
If the anvil assembly is delivered separately from the surgical stapling instrument, then the instrument can be positioned first, but the anvil assembly requires additional mounting steps
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil head's pivotal movement capability allows it to be inserted in a compact tilted position and then rotated to the operative position for mounting. This dynamic transformation simplifies the overall mounting procedure by allowing the anvil to be delivered through the mouth in a space-efficient configuration and then positioned for secure attachment to the stapling instrument.
3Productivity
If the guide suture is detached from the anvil assembly before the stapling procedure is complete, then the anvil can be removed, but tissue damage may occur and the procedure is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The guide suture attachment is designed to remain intact throughout the entire stapling procedure. The combination of the pivotal anvil head positioning and retaining suture ensures continuous secure attachment, preventing premature detachment that could lead to incomplete stapling or tissue damage. The suture is only detached after the procedure is fully complete.
Data Source
AI summary
An anvil assembly suitable for trans-oral delivery includes an anvil head configured to receive a guide suture that is severed during a stapling procedure. An anvil delivery assembly includes the anvil assembly and a suture guide assembly secured to the anvil assembly.