Anvil Shank Latch with Living Hinge for Stapler Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments for end-to-end anastomosis in digestive tract procedures face challenges in ensuring a leak-proof seal and efficient tissue handling, particularly in maintaining accurate alignment and secure coupling of the anvil with the trocar, which can lead to tolerance stacks and inaccurate indicator readings.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a circular stapling surgical instrument with a trocar and anvil assembly featuring integral pivoting latch members formed from a single piece of material, reducing tolerance stacks and enhancing secure coupling, along with an indicator system for precise gap distance adjustment and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate latch members are used in the anvil assembly, then the device complexity increases and tolerance stacks accumulate, but the ease of manufacture improves
Solution Approach 1:
The latch members are integrated into the anvil as a single unitary structure formed from a single piece of material. This merging of previously separate components eliminates the need for assembly of multiple parts, thereby reducing accumulated tolerance stacks and improving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of manufacture through monolithic formation processes
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary latch structure includes segmented functional features such as living hinges that allow controlled movement and pivoting. This segmentation within a unitary structure enables the latch to perform multiple functions (engagement, disengagement, indication) while maintaining the benefits of integrated construction that reduces tolerance accumulation
2Reliability
If the anvil and trocar are not securely coupled, then the reliability of the seal decreases, but the ease of operation improves
Solution Approach 1:
The latch members incorporate living hinges that enable dynamic pivoting motion. This allows the latch to automatically engage and lock the anvil to the trocar during assembly, providing secure coupling and high reliability. The dynamic nature of the living hinge also allows for controlled disengagement when needed, maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary latch structure with living hinges is designed to self-engage and self-lock when the anvil is properly positioned on the trocar. The pivoting action automatically triggers the latch shelves to engage with the trocar surface, ensuring reliable secure coupling without requiring additional manual intervention, while still allowing easy manual disengagement when needed
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 configuration ensures a reliable leak-proof seal, accurate tissue handling, and precise alignment, improving the surgical process by minimizing tolerance errors and providing a clear indication of the anvil gap distance, thus enhancing the surgical outcome.
Implementation Method 1
The shank includes a pair of living hinges and a pair of integral pivoting latch members
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a body, an end effector, a trocar, and an anvil. The anvil head includes an annular surface defining a plurality of staple forming pockets. The plurality of staple forming pockets are configured to deform the plurality of staples when the anvil is in the staple forming position. The shank extends proximally from the annular stapling head. The shank and the anvil head cooperatively define a bore dimensioned to receive a portion of the trocar. The shank defines a lateral opening. The latch member is pivotally coupled with the shank via a living hinge. The latch member comprises a latch shelf configured to selectively couple the anvil with trocar when the trocar is inserted into the bore.