Articulatable Surgical End Effector with Floating Anvil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments face challenges in efficiently stapling and cutting tissue due to limitations in anvil stability, tissue thickness adaptation, and inconsistent articulation reference axes, which affect precision and flexibility during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a unique floating anvil arrangement that automatically adjusts the anvil gap for varying tissue thickness and a dual-control system for independent jaw movement, where the articulation axis aligns with the anvil pivot, providing stable staple formation and enhanced maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed anvil arrangement is used, then the structure is simple, but the instrument cannot adapt to varying tissue thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is made movable relative to the elongated channel through a pivot axis, allowing the anvil gap to dynamically adjust to varying tissue thicknesses. The anvil can pivot between multiple positions to maintain optimal stapling pressure across different tissue depths while remaining part of a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If independent jaw manipulation is implemented, then surgical flexibility is improved, but control precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent actuators: one for articulation control and one for jaw closure. This segmentation allows each actuator to be optimized for its specific function, with the articulation actuator providing precise angular control and the closure actuator providing controlled jaw closure, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving surgical flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A pivot axis serves as an intermediary mechanical element that couples the anvil to the elongated channel. This pivot axis provides a stable reference point that facilitates smooth, controlled independent movement of the anvil relative to the channel, enabling precise articulation control without complicating the overall operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If articulation and stapling are coupled, then the system is simpler, but articulation freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into separate actuators for articulation and stapling functions. The first actuator independently controls the articulation of the end effector along the elongated shaft, while the second actuator controls jaw closure and stapling. This segmentation enables full articulation freedom without requiring the stapling mechanism to be coupled to articulation movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot axis acts as an intermediary that decouples the articulation movement from the stapling operation. By providing a fixed rotation point, it allows the end effector to articulate freely relative to the elongated channel while maintaining stable, controlled stapling pressure through the anvil, thereby achieving articulation freedom without increasing control system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Surgical instruments and end effectors therefor are disclosed. In various implementations, the surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft assembly that defines a longitudinal tool axis. An elongated channel of an end effector is movably coupled to the elongated shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal tool axis upon application of articulation motions thereto. The elongated channel may be configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge. An anvil assembly is pivotally coupled to the elongated channel for selective pivotal travel relative thereto between open and closed positions about the pivot axis upon application of closing and opening motions thereto. In some implementations, the anvil assembly comprises a two part assembly.