Breakaway Arbor Inserts for Staple Formation Across Tissue Thicknesses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical staplers face challenges in accommodating a wide range of tissue thicknesses, leading to issues such as poorly formed staples, high firing loads, and the need for precise anvil pocket alignment, which can result in necrosis, bleeding, or poor staple retention due to buckling and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The use of arbors or staple forming surfaces integrated into the staple cartridge to curl staple legs as they exit, eliminating the need for anvil pockets and allowing for universal compatibility with different cartridge reloads, reducing firing loads, and improving staple formation control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional surgical staplers use anvil pockets for staple formation, then staple formation can be achieved, but precise anvil pocket alignment is required which increases device complexity and can result in misalignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the anvil pocket from the system entirely. Instead of using traditional anvil pockets that require precise alignment, the invention integrates staple forming surfaces directly into the staple cartridge, eliminating the need for separate anvil components and their associated alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the staple forming function with the staple cartridge by integrating forming surfaces directly into the cartridge structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate anvil components and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining staple formation capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional surgical staplers are designed for specific tissue thicknesses, then optimal staple formation can be achieved for that thickness, but the device lacks adaptability to accommodate varying tissue thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal staple cartridge design with integrated forming surfaces that can accommodate various tissue thicknesses. The forming surfaces are designed to work effectively across a range of tissue thicknesses without requiring device changes or precise alignment, making the system multi-functional and adaptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a frangible arbor system that can dynamically adjust during the stapling process. The arbor breaks away at controlled points to accommodate different tissue thicknesses, allowing the forming surfaces to adapt their position and configuration based on the actual tissue being stapled.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional surgical staplers use traditional staple formation methods, then staples can be formed, but high firing loads are required which increase the force needed for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frangible arbor as an intermediary component between the staple driver and the forming surfaces. This arbor acts as a force-distributing mechanism that reduces the peak firing load by providing a controlled breaking point, thereby lowering the overall force required to complete the stapling action.
4Ease of operation
If conventional surgical staplers use frangible arbors that break away, then staple deployment is enabled, but the arbors must be securely retained in the cartridge which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary retention features that are pre-integrated into the cartridge structure during manufacturing. These features include friction fits, snap fits, or interference fits that securely hold the frangible arbors in place before use, eliminating the need for separate retention mechanisms or complex assembly steps.
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
This approach enables consistent staple formation across varying tissue thicknesses, reduces firing forces, and eliminates the need for complex modularity, ensuring proper staple retention and sealing without anvil alignment issues.
Implementation Method 1
The set of arbor inserts includes a frangible portion configured to removably hold the set of arbor inserts in place by a retention force. When a force greater than the retention force is exerted on the set of arbor inserts, the frangible portion is configured to break away from the deck of the staple cartridge, such that the set of arbor inserts is releasable upon exertion of the force.
Data Source
AI summary
A staple cartridge including a tissue supporting deck and a set of arbor inserts removably coupled to the deck adjacent a staple pocket, the staple pocket being configured to hold a staple. The set of arbor inserts is configured to plastically deform the staple as the staple exits the staple pocket during a firing stroke.