Articulating Surgical Stapler for Precise Staple Firing Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in precision and efficiency, particularly in navigating complex tissue structures and varying anatomical features during procedures like stomach sleeve creation, due to limitations in articulation and staple firing path control.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapling instrument with advanced articulation capabilities and a display system that allows for real-time control of the staple firing path, enabled by a combination of electric motors, sensors, and a user interface for precise tissue manipulation and staple deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical stapling instruments are used, then the structure is simple and ease of manufacture is improved, but precision and efficiency in navigating complex tissue structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stapling instrument incorporates an articulation joint that enables dynamic adjustment of the end effector's orientation relative to the shaft. This allows the instrument to adapt its configuration in real-time to navigate complex tissue structures and varying anatomical features, thereby improving manufacturing precision without requiring an overly complex fixed structure
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is divided into distinct functional segments including a shaft, an articulation joint, and an end effector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If advanced articulation capabilities and display system are added, then precision and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument includes a display system that provides real-time visual feedback to the surgeon during the stapling procedure. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of the staple firing path and articulation, improving staple placement precision while managing system complexity through intuitive interface design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical control systems with an integrated display and control system that provides electronic feedback and control. This substitution enables more precise control of the articulation joint and staple firing mechanism while maintaining manageable device complexity through software-based control
3Productivity
If dynamic control of staple firing path is implemented, then efficiency in accommodating varying anatomical features is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation joint enables dynamic repositioning of the end effector during the stapling procedure, allowing the instrument to efficiently accommodate varying anatomical features. The display system provides real-time feedback that simplifies the operation of this dynamic system, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapler comprising an end effector and a system configured to feed staples into the end effector is disclosed.