Curved Surgical Stapling Tool Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for surgical stapling devices that can improve access to internal body organs during surgical procedures, particularly in restricted anatomical areas like the abdominal cavity, where existing devices struggle to effectively dissect and suture tissues.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with a tool assembly featuring a U-shaped frame, an anvil assembly, and a cartridge assembly, including a knife and alignment pin system, which allows for enhanced access and tissue dissection by positioning the knife and staples optimally for improved engagement and cutting, with a cutting plate made from materials like PEEK, POM, or PPSU for efficient tissue cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional linear surgical stapling device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot effectively access internal body organs in restricted anatomical areas
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly is configured with a curved geometry, where the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly are positioned at different longitudinal locations along the curved path. This curvature enables the device to navigate restricted anatomical areas and access internal body organs that would be inaccessible to linear devices, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity
2Manufacturing precision
If the knife and anvil assembly are positioned close together, then cutting precision is improved, but the device cannot properly engage and compress tissue edges
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil assembly and cartridge assembly are positioned at different longitudinal locations along the curved tool assembly, creating a dynamic configuration where the components can properly engage tissue edges while maintaining precise cutting alignment. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing both precise cutting and proper tissue engagement simultaneously
3Ease of operation
If gaps exist between the knife and anvil assembly, then tissue compression is improved, but cutting precision deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The curved configuration of the tool assembly with specifically positioned anvil and cartridge assemblies at different longitudinal locations ensures proper alignment between the knife and anvil while maintaining adequate tissue compression. The curvature geometry inherently maintains alignment precision while allowing sufficient spacing for tissue engagement, resolving the contradiction between compression and alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having a U-shaped frame, an anvil assembly, and a cartridge assembly. The U-shaped frame has a proximal transverse portion, a longitudinal portion, and a distal transverse portion. The distal transverse portion and the proximal transverse of the U-shaped frame and the cartridge assembly have a common shape including a first linear portion defining a first axis, a second linear portion defining a second axis, and a third linear portion defining a third axis, the first axis being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body. In embodiments, a first radius of curvature is defined between the first linear portion and the second linear portion such that the first axis and the second axis define an angle β, and a second radius of curvature is defined between the second linear portion and the third linear portion such that the second axis and the third axis define an angle Ω.