Bendable End Effector for Custom Staple Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic surgical staplers are limited in their ability to create tailored, non-linear staple patterns, particularly in procedures like gastric bypass, due to their rigid construction and the need to deliver staples through narrow access ports, leading to inefficiencies and increased surgical complications.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapler with a selectively bendable end effector that can be shaped to conform to specific patterns, featuring independently bendable jaws with elastic materials and jaw flexing members, allowing for the deployment of staples in both linear and non-linear configurations, and the ability to fit through narrow access ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid end effector with predetermined staple pattern is used, then the device can be delivered through narrow access ports, but the ability to create customized non-linear staple patterns is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector incorporates a bendable jaw assembly that can dynamically change its configuration from a linear delivery state to various curved or angled operational states. This allows the device to be delivered through narrow access ports in a compact linear form and then reconfigured into customized non-linear staple patterns at the surgical site, resolving the contradiction between deliverability and pattern customization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw assembly includes flexible elements with varying degrees of bendability in different directions, allowing the operator to adjust the curvature and orientation parameters of the end effector to match the specific anatomical geometry of the surgical site. This parameter adjustability enables customized staple patterns while maintaining the ability to deliver through standard access ports
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple individual cutting and stapling steps are used to create curved gastric pouch, then the staple pattern can be tailored to specific configuration, but the procedure becomes time consuming and increases surgical complications
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector integrates multiple staple cartridges with different staple configurations into a single unified device, allowing the operator to deploy multiple rows of staples in different patterns (e.g., curved, angled, or linear) during a single continuous stapling operation. This merging of multiple stapling functions into one device eliminates the need for repeated device removal and reloading, thereby maintaining precise staple pattern configuration while significantly improving surgical efficiency and reducing complications
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw assembly is designed with universal applicability to perform various stapling and cutting functions in different configurations. The flexible jaw can be positioned and secured at multiple angles, and the integrated cartridges can deliver different staple patterns as needed, allowing a single device to replace multiple specialized instruments and complete complex curved pouch creation in one procedure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables more precise and efficient stapling with reduced surgical complications by allowing for customizable staple patterns and flexible deployment through narrow access points, improving procedural efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
Some embodiments utilize an end effector that can be adapted to include an elastic material for biasing the end effector into a predetermined shape
Implementation Method 2
The jaw flexing member can be adapted to bend the end effector when the member is in tension
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapler having a selectively bendable end effector is provided. A staple holding jaw of the end effector is coupled to another jaw for grasping tissue to be stapled. The stapler can adapted to drive staples into tissue having a pattern conforming with the selected shape of the end effector. In particular, the end effector can be adapted to drive staples in a linear pattern when the end effector orients staples in a substantially linear configuration. The end effector can also be adapted to drive staples in a non linear pattern when the end effector orients staples in a non linear configuration. Methods of stapling tissue with a stapler having a bendable end effector are also discussed.