Articulated Surgical Stapling Tool Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical stapling devices face challenges in accessing and manipulating tissue due to limited motion through small incisions, necessitating improved articulation and orientation capabilities to reduce surgical procedure time.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with a tool assembly that can pivot about multiple axes, facilitated by an articulation actuator and non-rigid links, allowing for infinite orientations and enhanced accessibility of body tissue, combined with a Disposable Loading Unit (DLU) and a handle mechanism for precise operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tool assembly is made rigid and fixed in orientation, then the device structure is simple, but the surgeon cannot access tissue at various orientations through small incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly is divided into multiple segments that can articulate relative to each other. The tool assembly includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion with a pivot joint, allowing each segment to move independently to achieve various orientations while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The tool assembly transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure. The pivot joint and articulation mechanisms enable the tool assembly to change its orientation and configuration dynamically during surgical procedures, adapting to different tissue access requirements
2Productivity
If the tool assembly is made articulatable about multiple axes, then the surgeon can quickly access tissue at infinite orientations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation mechanisms are pre-configured and pre-positioned within the tool assembly, allowing the surgeon to quickly adjust to the desired orientation without complex real-time adjustments. The pivot joints and articulation links are designed to naturally guide the tool assembly into proper positions
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate pivot member is introduced as a mediator between the proximal and distal portions of the tool assembly. This intermediate component facilitates smooth articulation and orientation changes while distributing the mechanical complexity across multiple manageable joints rather than requiring a single complex mechanism
3Ease of operation
If the tool assembly is made manipulatable through small incisions, then endoscopic access is improved, but the degree of motion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly employs a nested configuration where components are arranged concentrically and hierarchically. The articulation mechanisms are nested within the tool assembly structure, allowing multiple degrees of freedom to be achieved within a compact form factor that can pass through small endoscopic incisions
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a SULU. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes. The handle portion includes a spindle and barrel assembly drive mechanism for advancing and retracting a drive member positioned in the tool assembly. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly.