Rotating Jaw Clamshell Stapler for Vaginal Cuff Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The closure of the vaginal cuff during hysterectomy procedures is challenging due to the requirement of significant surgical skill and time, and existing methods are prone to wound rupture.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with an end effector featuring rotating jaws and a fastener cartridge that ejects fasteners to securely close the vaginal cuff, allowing for less skilled and faster closure with reduced risk of dehiscence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual suturing or stitching is used to close the vaginal cuff, then the procedure can be completed with existing surgical tools, but it requires significant surgical skill and time, and is prone to wound rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual suturing mechanics with an automated mechanical fastening system. The surgical instrument uses a fastener cartridge that automatically deploys fasteners through the vaginal cuff tissue, eliminating the need for manual needle and suture manipulation. This mechanical automation reduces skill requirements while improving closure reliability through consistent fastener deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument performs the closure function autonomously without requiring continuous manual intervention. The instrument itself contains the fastening mechanism and executes the closure action through automated actuation, making the system self-sufficient for the critical closure function while reducing dependence on surgeon skill for manual suturing techniques.
2Productivity
If manual suturing or stitching is used to close the vaginal cuff, then existing surgical tools can be utilized, but the procedure consumes significant surgical time
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are pre-loaded into the fastener cartridge before the surgical procedure. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment during surgery without the time-consuming steps of manual needle threading, suture tying, or knot securing. The pre-positioned fasteners enable quick, sequential closure actions that significantly reduce surgical time.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated mechanical fastening system replaces the time-intensive manual suturing process. The instrument mechanically drives pre-loaded fasteners through the tissue in a single motion, eliminating the repetitive manual steps of needle passage, suture tensioning, and knot tying that consume significant surgical time.
3Reliability
If manual suturing is used to close the vaginal cuff, then flexible surgical techniques can be applied, but the closure is prone to dehiscence and wound rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual suturing with an automated fastening mechanism that consistently deploys fasteners through the vaginal cuff. This mechanical system ensures uniform fastener placement and penetration depth, creating reliable tissue apposition that resists dehiscence. The consistent mechanical action eliminates variability in manual technique that can lead to wound rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism controls critical parameters such as fastener penetration depth, spacing, and alignment through mechanical design. These controlled parameters ensure optimal tissue apposition and fastener engagement, creating a closure that maintains wound integrity. The systematic control of these parameters prevents the inconsistent results that can lead to dehiscence in manual suturing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamshell stapling end effector includes first and second jaws and defines an end effector axis. The first jaw has proximal, central, and distal portions. The central portion includes a first tissue contacting surface and defines a cavity. The second jaw includes a second tissue contacting surface and is rotatably secured to the first jaw about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is parallel to the end effector axis. The second jaw has a folded position such that the second jaw is positioned within the cavity of the first jaw with the first and second tissue contacting surfaces parallel to one another and facing in the same direction and a clamped position such that the first and second tissue contacting surfaces oppose one another.