Surgical Stapling Device Captive Anvil Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical clamping devices face deformation issues due to high forces during tissue compression, leading to misalignment and potential complications like sepsis, particularly when using pivot pins that weaken the jaw structure and cause deformation.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the pivot point into the anvil and housing geometry eliminates the need for through holes, maintaining structural integrity and using mating cylindrical surfaces for accurate positioning, along with secondary positioning members to maintain alignment without through slots, enhancing strength and reducing deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivot pin is used to rotate the jaws, then the clamping mechanism can be actuated, but the pin and adjacent structures bear substantial load leading to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot function is merged into the housing geometry itself rather than being a separate component. The housing incorporates a pivot point that is integrally formed, eliminating the need for a separate pivot pin that would compromise structural integrity. This merging allows the housing to bear the rotational load without the weakening effect of through-holes required for pin installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate pivot pin component is extracted from the design, removing the source of structural weakness. By eliminating the pin and its required through-holes, the jaw structure maintains full material continuity and strength while still achieving the necessary rotational actuation through the integrated housing geometry.
2Ease of operation
If through holes are drilled in the jaws for the pivot pin, then the pin can be installed for rotation, but the jaw structure is weakened leading to increased deformation likelihood
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot functionality is merged into the housing structure, eliminating through-holes that would weaken the jaw. The housing is designed with an integrated pivot point that maintains full structural integrity while enabling the necessary rotational motion for jaw actuation.
3Ease of operation
If material is removed for through slots in the pin-and-slot actuation arrangement, then the actuation mechanism can function, but the structure is weakened increasing deformation risk
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is merged into the housing geometry with blind slots that do not extend through the entire structure. This maintains material continuity and structural strength while still allowing the necessary actuation motion through the integrated design.
4Force
If the jaws and anvil are subjected to high compression forces, then tissue clamping is effective, but misalignment between jaws and anvil may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates pre-loaded springs that apply constant force to maintain jaw and anvil alignment before compression forces are applied. This beforehand cushioning counteracts the misalignment that would occur during high-force tissue clamping, ensuring staples are formed at the correct position throughout the compression cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides continuous feedback force that automatically adjusts to maintain alignment between the moving jaw and the stationary anvil during compression. The spring force acts as a corrective mechanism that responds to any tendency toward misalignment caused by compression loads.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for clamping tissue includes a first jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first wing and a second wing. The device also includes a second jaw having a distal portion for communicating with tissue and a proximal portion having a first slot and a second slot, the first slot disposed between a middle structure and a first lateral structure, the second slot disposed between the middle structure and a second lateral structure. The first jaw is rotatably coupleable to the second jaw with the first wing extending into the first slot and the second wing extending into the second slot.