Articulating Surgical Stapler End Effector Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers used in endoscopic procedures lack efficient articulation and motorized control mechanisms, which limit their precision and effectiveness in navigating complex tissue structures and performing multiple stapling and cutting operations.
Innovation Solution
The development of an articulating surgical stapling instrument with a motorized drive system, featuring an E-beam firing mechanism, articulation joint, and enhanced end effector design, including a pivotable anvil and staple cartridge, allows for precise tissue manipulation and efficient stapling and cutting through a combination of manual and motorized control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional open surgical devices are used, then surgical precision and tissue access are limited, but incision size and post-operative recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into modular components including a handle portion, shaft, articulation joint, and end effector that can be independently positioned and controlled. This segmentation allows the instrument to navigate complex tissue structures through small incisions while maintaining surgical precision at the distal end.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation joint enables the end effector to operate in multiple dimensions relative to the shaft's longitudinal axis. This dimensional freedom allows precise tissue manipulation and access to difficult-to-reach surgical sites through minimally invasive pathways.
2Productivity
If manual control mechanisms are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but surgical efficiency and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized drive system integrates multiple functions including articulation control, end effector actuation, and positioning within a single automated mechanism. This multi-functionality enhances surgical efficiency while managing complexity through unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation joint serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates motorized control inputs into precise end effector positioning. This intermediary component enables complex surgical motions to be achieved through coordinated automated actuation of multiple degrees of freedom.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed end effector design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different tissue structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is designed with movable and adjustable components including the articulation joint and pivotable anvil that can dynamically adapt to different tissue configurations. This dynamic design enables versatile tissue manipulation while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific portions of the end effector such as the anvil and staple cartridge are designed with localized features that can be selectively adjusted or replaced based on surgical requirements. This local customization approach enhances adaptability to different tissue structures without requiring complete redesign of the entire end effector.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector comprises and anvil and a cartridge. A longitudinal axis intersects the distal tip of the anvil when the anvil is in a closed position. The cartridge defines a sight line extending along a distal surface of the cartridge from a first side of the cartridge toward the anvil. The first side of the cartridge is opposite to the anvil. The distal surface of the cartridge is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The sight line intersects the longitudinal axis near the distal tip when the anvil is in the closed position. A segment of the sight line and a segment the longitudinal axis define an angle θ. The angle θ is larger than 90°.