Circular Knife Blade for Surgical Staplers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments require significant operator force and lead to fatigue during laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures, as they are not optimized for efficient tissue cutting.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling apparatus with a drive bar and circular blade mechanism, where the circular blade is rotatably attached and engages with toothed racks on the anvil and cartridge assemblies, allowing for efficient tissue cutting by rotating and translating to reduce the force required by the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional linear knife blade is used in surgical stapling instruments, then the structure is simple, but significant operator force is required and operator fatigue occurs during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a circular blade instead of a traditional linear knife blade. The circular blade rotates within a circular path defined by guides in the anvil and cartridge, converting linear reciprocating motion into rotational cutting motion. This curvature-based design reduces the force required by the operator while maintaining effective tissue cutting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade mechanism transitions from a static linear cutting path to a dynamic rotational motion. The circular blade rotates during the cutting stroke, allowing the cutting edge to engage tissue at multiple points around the circular path. This dynamic motion distributes the cutting force and reduces operator effort compared to a fixed linear blade.
2Productivity
If a circular blade with serrated edge is used, then cutting efficiency is improved and operator fatigue is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The circular blade design with serrated edge engages with complementary circular guides in the anvil and cartridge assemblies. The serrated edge provides enhanced tissue grip and cutting efficiency, while the circular geometry allows for reduced operator force. The interlocking circular features guide the blade rotation without requiring complex external mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular blade mechanism is self-guiding through circular guides formed in the anvil and cartridge assemblies. The serrated edge of the blade engages with the smooth circular surfaces, allowing the blade to self-center and self-guide during rotation. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for additional complex guiding components while maintaining precise cutting action.
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
The apparatus reduces operator fatigue and improves cutting efficiency by distributing the cutting force through rotational and translational motion, enhancing the ability to apply fasteners and incise tissue with reduced operator effort.
Implementation Method 1
moving the drive bar between the first position and the second position engages the serrated edge of the circular blade with the toothed rack of the anvil plate causing the circular blade to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the present disclosure a surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed including an anvil plate, a cartridge plate, and a knife assembly. The anvil and cartridge plates each include a central longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot of the anvil plate has first and second sides each forming a toothed rack. The knife assembly includes a circular knife adapted to cut tissue is rotatably attached to an I-beam. The knife blade may have a serrated edge configured to interlock with each of the teeth of the toothed racks. The knife assembly may include at least one gear fixedly coupled to the circular knife. The at least one gear may engage the toothed rack to rotate the circular knife.