Surgical Stapler End Effector with Articulating Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers lack an efficient mechanism for articulation and staple formation that allows for precise tissue manipulation and vessel ligation during minimally invasive procedures, particularly in complex anatomical regions like the liver, leading to increased procedural time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The development of an articulating surgical stapling instrument with a dual-jaw end effector and a staple cartridge that includes a wedge sled mechanism for driving staples, allowing for precise staple formation and tissue severing, along with crush surfaces for vessel ligation, enabling efficient tissue resection and vessel sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional surgical stapler design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to manipulate tissue precisely and ligate vessels efficiently is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is divided into two separate jaws (first jaw and second jaw) that can articulate relative to each other. The staple cartridge is positioned in one jaw while the anvil is in the other jaw, allowing independent positioning and articulation control for precise tissue manipulation during stapling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation joint enables dynamic adjustment of the angle between the first jaw and second jaw, allowing the end effector to adapt to complex anatomical structures. The jaws can articulate to different angles to access and manipulate tissue in difficult-to-reach areas while maintaining precise control over staple formation and vessel ligation.
2Productivity
If separate instruments are used for tissue resection and vessel ligation, then each instrument can be optimized for its specific function, but the procedural time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument integrates multiple functions into a single device: the end effector combines a staple cartridge for vessel ligation with an anvil for staple formation, and includes a crush surface for tissue resection. This allows the surgeon to perform tissue manipulation, vessel sealing, and tissue cutting with one instrument, reducing procedural time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform multiple surgical tasks: articulating to manipulate tissue, driving staples to ligate vessels, and crushing tissue for resection. The first and second jaws each contribute to these functions, allowing a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate instruments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the end effector cannot articulate, then the device structure is simpler, but the ability to access complex anatomical regions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation joint provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the end effector to change its orientation and angle relative to the shaft assembly. This enables the surgeon to access complex anatomical regions by articulating the jaws to appropriate angles while maintaining precise control over tissue manipulation and stapling functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes an end effector extending along a jaw centerline. A staple cartridge is received in the end effector. The staple cartridge includes deck, staples, a wedge sled, and a driver assembly. The staples are positioned in respective openings formed through the deck. The wedge sled is slidable through the staple cartridge. The driver assembly has a first driver and a second driver. The first driver receives a first staple of the plurality of staples. The second driver receives a second staple of the plurality of staples. The driver assembly is configured to be engaged by the wedge sled sliding toward the distal sled position and thereby be forced toward a first jaw of the end effector, thereby forcing the first and second staples toward an anvil of the first jaw for formation in tissue. The driver assembly is positioned along the centerline.