Spring Loaded Anvil Retainer Aperture Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face issues where the aperture diameter made by the anvil retainer is too small for the anvil rod to pass through, leading to excessive tissue being pulled into the device, and sutures can fail to slide over the anvil during retraction, causing tissue buildup.
Innovation Solution
An anvil receiving apparatus with a tube surrounding the anvil retainer, featuring a distal annular protrusion for engaging the anvil rod and a resilient member separating distal and proximal tubes, allowing the anvil head to pass through the aperture without excessive tissue entry, and including resilient arms for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the anvil retainer creates a small aperture diameter, then the anvil rod can be securely retained, but the anvil head cannot pass through and excessive tissue is pulled into the device
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil retainer is designed with resilient arms that can dynamically change their configuration. During the procedure, the resilient arms are compressed to allow the anvil rod to pass through, then spring back to their original position to securely retain the anvil rod, preventing excessive tissue pull-in while enabling smooth passage
2Ease of operation
If the aperture diameter is increased to allow anvil rod passage, then the anvil head can pass through, but the anvil rod retention becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient arms provide dynamic adjustment of the aperture diameter. When the anvil rod approaches, the resilient arms compress inward, reducing the aperture diameter to securely grip the anvil rod. This dynamic compression allows reliable retention without requiring a permanently large aperture that would cause tissue prolapse
3Reliability
If the suture is tied to the trocar, then the tissue can be secured, but the suture fails to slide over the anvil during retraction causing tissue buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil retainer acts as an intermediary component between the suture and the anvil assembly. The resilient arms with their compliant structure allow the suture to slide over them during retraction while maintaining tissue securing force, preventing tissue buildup by enabling smooth suture movement
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 excessive tissue buildup by ensuring the anvil head can pass through the aperture without pulling in too much tissue, and allows for smooth retraction of sutures, enhancing the surgical procedure's efficiency and precision.
Implementation Method 1
The tube may include a distal tube and a proximal tube where the distal tube and proximal tubes are separated by a resilient member. Proximal advancement of the center rod onto the anvil retainer may cause proximal advancement of the distal tube toward the proximal tube.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes a handle assembly, a body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion including an anvil retainer and a shell assembly. The anvil retainer is movable in relation to the shell assembly between unapproximated and approximated positions. A tube surrounds a portion of the anvil retainer, wherein the anvil retainer includes a distal annular protrusion for releasably engaging an anvil assembly and wherein the anvil assembly includes a center rod.