Deflectable Firing Member for Surgical Stapler Articulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical staplers lack a firing member that can effectively transmit motion while resisting lateral misalignment during articulation of the end effector, potentially leading to buckling and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The development of deflectable firing members, such as push rods with specific slot and bridge configurations, that allow for lateral deflection and longitudinal compression, ensuring stable transmission of motion and preventing buckling during articulation of the end effector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid firing member is used to transmit motion, then structural integrity is maintained, but lateral misalignment during articulation causes buckling and operational failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The firing member is divided into multiple segments or links that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the structure to accommodate lateral misalignment while maintaining overall function. Each segment can independently adjust to prevent buckling during end effector articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The firing member transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure that can adapt its configuration during operation. The member incorporates movable joints or flexible sections that enable real-time adjustment to maintain alignment and prevent buckling during articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible firing member is used to accommodate articulation, then lateral deflection is allowed, but longitudinal compression resistance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation adaptabilityVSAvoidcompression resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the firing member have different mechanical properties - the articulation sections are flexible to accommodate movement, while the load-bearing sections maintain rigidity to resist compression. This localized differentiation allows the member to simultaneously accommodate articulation and maintain compression resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The firing member utilizes composite construction combining materials or structural elements with different properties - flexible portions for articulation and rigid portions for compression resistance. This composite approach allows the single member to exhibit both flexibility and strength where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12458348B2Deflectable firing member for surgical stapler

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

A surgical stapling instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a flexible firing member. The end effector includes a driving assembly translatable distally relative to a first jaw and a second jaw to thereby transition the first and second jaws from an open state to a closed state. The flexible firing member is configured to selectively advance the driving assembly distally and retract the driving assembly proximally. The flexible firing member includes a plurality of segments, at least one axial force transmission feature configured to transmit axial forces between the segments, and at least one lateral alignment feature configured to resist lateral misalignment of the segments.