Continuous Cartridge Reloads for Long-Line Surgical Stapling

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical stapling apparatus require multiple reloads of staple cartridges during procedures like sleeve gastrectomy, increasing procedure time and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A modular reload system with interconnected cartridge units that allows for a single firing stroke to complete long lines of stapling and cutting, featuring a hinge assembly that enables easy loading and maintains parallel alignment of the cartridge and anvil assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple staple cartridge reloads are used during surgical procedures, then the stapling capacity is sufficient for long procedures, but the procedure time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling capacityVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The staple cartridge is divided into multiple individual cartridges that can be loaded sequentially into a single firing stroke. Each cartridge contains a specific number of staples arranged in rows, and they are positioned at different longitudinal locations along the cartridge assembly, enabling continuous stapling across multiple tissue sections without requiring multiple separate firing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple individual staple cartridges are combined into a single integrated cartridge assembly that can be loaded and fired in one continuous operation. The cartridges are interconnected and positioned along the longitudinal axis, allowing the surgical instrument to perform multiple stapling actions during a single firing stroke, thereby merging what would otherwise require multiple separate reloading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple staple cartridge reloads are used during surgical procedures, then the stapling capacity is sufficient for long procedures, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The staple cartridge is divided into multiple individual cartridges that can be loaded sequentially into a single firing stroke. Each cartridge contains a specific number of staples arranged in rows, and they are positioned at different longitudinal locations along the cartridge assembly, enabling continuous stapling across multiple tissue sections without requiring multiple separate firing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can hold and deliver multiple different staple cartridges in sequence, accommodate various cartridge configurations (different numbers of rows, different staple quantities), and work with the existing single-stroke firing mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle long stapling procedures without requiring multiple separate reloading operations or complex additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If a single firing stroke is used to complete long lines of stapling, then procedure time is reduced, but the cartridge assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure timeVSAvoidcartridge assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The staple cartridge is divided into multiple individual cartridges that can be loaded sequentially into a single firing stroke. Each cartridge contains a specific number of staples arranged in rows, and they are positioned at different longitudinal locations along the cartridge assembly, enabling continuous stapling across multiple tissue sections without requiring multiple separate firing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple individual staple cartridges are nested within the cartridge assembly in a linear sequence along the longitudinal axis. Each cartridge is positioned within the assembly structure, with cartridges nested one after another, allowing them to be advanced sequentially through the firing mechanism in a single stroke while maintaining a compact and organized configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4251069B1Long stapler reloads with continuous cartridge

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 COVIDIEN LP

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AI summary

An end effector for a surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge channel supporting a reload. The reload includes a plurality of separate and distinct cartridge units that removably interconnect with one another within the cartridge channel. The cartridge assembly can include a cartridge channel that supports the reload and a hinge assembly that pivotally couples to the cartridge channel.