Circular Stapler Trigger with Integral Spring for Reliable Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments for end-to-end anastomosis in digestive tract procedures lack a reliable mechanism to ensure secure sealing and simultaneous cutting of tissue, leading to potential leaks and complications.
Innovation Solution
A circular stapling surgical instrument with a stapling head assembly, anvil, and actuator handle assembly that clamps, staples, and cuts tissue using a staple driver member with a knife, ensuring secure tissue sealing and smooth transition between anatomical lumens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circular stapler is used to clamp down on layers of tissue and drive staples through, then the tissue can be sealed together to provide a substantial unobstructed flow path, but the complexity of the device increases due to the need for precise control of stapling and cutting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stapling and cutting functions into a single integrated circular stapler device that performs both operations simultaneously. The stapling head assembly includes both staple drivers for sealing and a knife member for cutting, allowing the device to complete the anastomosis procedure in one operation, thereby improving sealing reliability while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular stapler is designed as a multi-functional instrument that can clamp down on tissue, drive staples through the tissue layers, and cut excess tissue all within the same device. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple critical functions (sealing and cutting) that were previously required separate instruments, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If the circular stapler simultaneously severs excess tissue and seals the tissue, then the anastomosis is completed efficiently, but the precision control required for simultaneous cutting and stapling increases the difficulty of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The circular stapler performs preliminary clamping of the tissue layers before the simultaneous stapling and cutting operation. The anvil is first positioned and clamped onto the tissue, establishing secure contact and alignment. This preliminary action ensures that when the stapling and cutting occur simultaneously, the tissue is already prepared and constrained, making the complex simultaneous operation more controllable and easier to perform with precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If the circular stapler is designed to provide precise control of anvil gap distance, then the manufacturing precision of the anastomosis is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise mechanical control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in the form of adjustable mechanical settings to control the anvil gap distance. The device includes adjustable mechanisms that allow the anvil position and gap distance to be precisely controlled by modifying mechanical parameters such as the position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. This approach achieves manufacturing precision through controllable parameter adjustment rather than through complex fixed-mechanism design.
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 instrument provides a secure end-to-end anastomosis with minimal leakage risk by simultaneously stapling and cutting tissue, facilitating a continuous tubular portion of tissue with precise control and visualization of the anvil gap distance for optimal operation.
Implementation Method 1
the integral spring member is configured to resiliently bias the trigger toward the first position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a body assembly, an end effector, and a firing assembly. The body includes a handle portion and a shaft portion. The end effector includes a staple driver. The firing assembly includes a driver actuator and a trigger. The driver actuator is configured to actuate the staple driver. The driver actuator is slidably housed within the shaft portion. The trigger includes a lever and an integral spring member. The lever is pivotally coupled to the handle portion via a pivot boss of the handle portion. The trigger is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position to slide the driver actuator within the shaft portion, to thereby actuate the staple driver. The integral spring member is at least partially housed within a spring channel of the handle portion and is configured to resiliently bias the trigger toward the first position.