Circular Stapling Device Separating Firing and Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circular stapling devices often require simultaneous staple formation and tissue cutting, which can lead to tissue stretching and increased force required for actuation, making the process less efficient and more stressful for the clinician.
Innovation Solution
A circular stapling device design that separates staple formation and tissue cutting functions, allowing staple formation to occur before tissue cutting, through a mechanism where the knife carrier can move independently of the pusher after staple formation, reducing the force needed for actuation and minimizing tissue stretching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simultaneous staple formation and tissue cutting is performed, then the stapling process is completed in one actuation, but tissue stretching occurs and increased force is required for actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the stapling and cutting functions into separate operational phases. The pusher assembly completes staple formation first, then the knife carrier independently advances to perform tissue cutting. This segmentation eliminates tissue stretching during staple formation while maintaining overall process efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher assembly performs the preliminary action of staple formation before the knife carrier performs tissue cutting. By completing the stapling action first and securing the staples before initiating cutting, the device prevents tissue stretching and reduces the force required for the second actuation phase.
2Productivity
If simultaneous staple formation and tissue cutting is performed, then the stapling process is completed in one actuation, but increased force is required for actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the actuation process into two distinct phases: first the pusher assembly actuates to form staples, then the knife carrier independently actuates to cut tissue. This segmentation allows the clinician to apply force optimized for each specific function rather than simultaneously, reducing the overall force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
By completing staple formation as a preliminary action before tissue cutting, the device allows the stapling force to be applied first, securing the staples, and then a separate, reduced force is applied for the cutting phase. This eliminates the need for high simultaneous force application.
3Ease of operation
If knife carrier moves independently of pusher, then tissue cutting can occur after staple formation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knife carrier is nested within the pusher assembly structure. The knife carrier includes a bore that receives the pusher, allowing the knife carrier to move independently while maintaining a compact, integrated structure. This nesting approach provides operational flexibility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic coupling between the pusher and knife carrier through a movable connection mechanism. The knife carrier can be coupled to the pusher during staple formation and then decoupled to move independently for tissue cutting. This dynamic relationship provides operational flexibility while managing complexity through a single integrated mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A circular stapling device includes a manually operated trigger (24) that is adapted to allow staple formation to occur prior to cutting of tissue during a single actuation of the firing trigger (24). The stapling device (10) minimizes stretching and movement of tissue during staple formation to improve staple formation. The stapling device (10) also reduces the amount of force required to move the firing trigger (24) through a firing stroke by separating the staple formation and tissue cutting functions of the stapling device (10) to reduce stress on a clinician's hand during actuation of the stapling device (10).