Aortic Anastomosis Stapling Instrument for Pulsatile Vessel Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical stapling technologies for vascular prostheses and the aorta face challenges due to pulsatile blood flow and wall irregularities, limiting their application and effectiveness, especially in laparoscopic surgery.

Innovation Solution

A surgical stapling instrument with a handle, stem, head, and ring, featuring anterolateral and posterior staples, allows for secure attachment by sequential firing of B-shaped and W-shaped staples, ensuring tissue compression, alignment, and fixation, adaptable for laparoscopic procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If drum-based automatic suture systems are used for vascular anastomosis, then surgical efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to pulsatile blood flow and wall irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidanastomosis reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suture process is divided into multiple discrete steps: tissue approximation, staple firing, and sequential completion of suture segments. The circular suture line is segmented into multiple staple rows that are fired sequentially rather than simultaneously, allowing adaptation to pulsatile conditions at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities to accommodate pulsatile blood flow and varying tissue conditions. The automated suture system can pause, adjust tension, and adapt firing timing based on real-time conditions, transforming a static process into a dynamic responsive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If manual eversion suturing is used for aortic anastomosis, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanastomosis reliabilityVSAvoidsurgical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

An automated robotic system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's intent and the actual suture execution. The robot performs the time-consuming manual manipulation and staple firing, while the surgeon maintains control over critical decisions, combining the reliability of manual technique with the efficiency of automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical suture manipulation is replaced with an automated robotic mechanical system that performs approximation, staple deployment, and tension control. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming aspects of manual surgery while preserving the reliability of precise tissue handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If circular suture lines are used in vascular surgery, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to wall irregularities and atheroma plaques

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to wall irregularities
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The suture system applies different properties and forces to different local regions of the anastomosis. Rather than uniform circular stapling, the system adjusts staple firing patterns, tension, and spacing locally to accommodate irregularities, atheroma plaques, and varying tissue thickness at specific sites.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes critical parameters including staple firing timing, tissue approximation force, and staple spacing to adapt to local conditions. These parameter adjustments allow the automated system to handle irregular vessel walls and pathological changes while maintaining surgical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates secure, leak-proof, and hemostatic attachment of vascular prostheses to the aorta with minimal tension, ensuring adequate perfusion and lumen integrity through precise stapling mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a compression-decompression mechanism to displace said body to perform a homogeneous compression of the tissues to be stapled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

they deform acquiring the closed shape that compresses the vascular prosthesis and the wall of the aorta

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4454572B1Instrument for surgical stapling between a vascular prosthesis and the aorta
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO Y POLITECNICO LA FE DE LA COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA
  • EP4454572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4454572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4454572B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

instrument for surgical stapling between a vascular prosthesis (94) and the aorta, comprising a handle (1) configured to give a tissue compression instruction and another anterolateral staple ejection instruction (5); a head (3) comprising a rotary magazine (20) housing the anterolateral staples (5) until use and from which they exit for stapling, a compression-decompression mechanism (45) for homogeneous compression of the tissues to be stapled, a firing mechanism (50) of the rotary magazine (20) for firing the anterolateral staples (5); a ring (4) with a cylindrical body (69) with an inner conduit (70), perimeter holes (72) for receiving the legs (6) of the anterolateral staples (5) and providing them with a B-shape, an anchoring port (44), and a stapling mechanism for the posterior aortic sector (80) with a stapling sheet (81) with a plurality of through holes (82).