Articulatable End Effector Lockout for Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical staplers often apply shear forces to soft tissue when the end effector is articulated after closure, as existing systems do not prevent articulation once the jaw members are closed, potentially damaging the tissue.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an articulation locking mechanism that locks the end effector in place after closure, preventing further articulation and ensuring the tissue is not subjected to shear forces until the end effector is reopened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the end effector is made articulatable to allow repositioning, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the end effector may apply shear force to the soft tissue after closure
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is designed with a dynamic articulation mechanism that allows it to be movable during the setup phase but becomes locked in position during the critical stapling phase. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt to different surgical needs while ensuring tissue integrity when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation capability is extracted or removed from the end effector after closure is achieved. The articulation lockout mechanism prevents the articulation joint from moving once the jaw members are closed, effectively taking out the articulation function during the stapling operation to prevent shear force application.
2Reliability
If the articulation lockout mechanism is added to prevent shear force, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation lockout mechanism is merged with the existing closing system components. The driver that closes the jaw members also serves as the articulation lockout mechanism, combining two functions into a single integrated system to minimize additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver is designed with multi-functionality: it both closes the jaw members and locks out articulation. This universal component performs multiple functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated mechanisms and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If the end effector must be reopened to allow articulation, then the reliability is maintained during stapling, but the loss of time increases due to additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation lockout is automatically engaged as a preliminary action during the closing sequence. By pre-establishing the locked state during closure, the system ensures tissue integrity is maintained without requiring additional verification steps or delays during the actual stapling operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise an end effector including a staple cartridge and a datum portion positioned proximal to the staple cartridge. The surgical instrument can further comprise a shaft and an articulation joint configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft. In addition, the surgical instrument can further comprise a firing member configured to deploy a plurality of staples from the staple cartridge and a drive assembly including a drive member configured to move the firing member. The drive assembly may also include a stop configured to engage the datum portion to limit the movement of the drive member after the plurality of staples are fired.