Curved Endoscopic Stapling Jaws for Gastro-Esophageal Resection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic surgical stapling devices have limited range of motion and difficulty in accessing and resecting gastro-esophageal lesions effectively, particularly in reaching tissue spaced from the central axis of the instrument.
Innovation Solution
A flexible endoscopic system with a pair of opposed, curved tissue clamping jaws and a stapling mechanism that includes staple slots, allowing for a greater range of motion and the ability to fire staples in a row, along with a control handle for actuating the jaws and stapling mechanism, enabling precise tissue resection and stapling within the esophagus and stomach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid endoscopic stapling device is used, then the stapling mechanism can be structurally simple, but the range of motion is limited and it cannot reach tissue spaced from the central axis
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end of the elongate flexible body is made dynamically articulating, allowing the stapling assembly to pivot about an axis transverse to the central axis of the instrument. This dynamic adjustment enables the device to reach tissue spaced from the central axis while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stapling assembly is configured to curve away from the central axis at approximately 90 degrees, adding a lateral dimension to the range of motion. This dimensional change allows the device to access tissue that is not aligned with the central axis without requiring a completely different device architecture.
2Ease of operation
If the stapling assembly curves away from the central axis to reach spaced tissue, then accessibility improves, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument employs an elongate flexible body that can bend and articulate, allowing the stapling assembly to reach spaced tissue without requiring complex rigid joint mechanisms. The flexibility of the body itself provides the necessary adaptability while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If multiple actuators are added to the control handle for independent jaw and stapling control, then operational precision improves, but the control handle becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control handle is segmented into separate actuators for independent control of jaw opening/closing and stapling mechanism activation. This segmentation allows each function to be controlled precisely through dedicated controls, while the modular nature of the segmented actuators keeps the overall control handle design manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for stapling tissue comprises a flexible endoscope and an operative head including a pair of opposed, curved tissue clamping jaws sized to pass through an esophagus, the jaws being moveable with respect to one another between an open tissue receiving configuration and a closed tissue clamping configuration, a first one of the curved jaws including a stapling mechanism and a second one of the jaws including a staple forming anvil surface, the stapling mechanism including staple slots through which staples are fired arranged in a row extending from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end thereof in combination with a control handle which, when the operative head is in an operative position within one of a patient's stomach and esophagus, remains outside the patient, the control handle including a first actuator for moving the jaws relative to one another and a second actuator for operating the stapling mechanism.