Elastically Deformable Anvil Tip for Atraumatic Tissue Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers lack the ability to efficiently maneuver through tissue with minimal trauma and provide adequate visualization during procedures, especially in cases requiring sequential cuts and stapling along a continuous path, such as 'marching' techniques, where the rigid nature of the instruments can cause tissue trauma and hinder visibility.
Innovation Solution
The development of an end effector with an elastically deformable angled anvil tip that biases to an angled configuration, allowing for smooth tissue engagement and deformation during insertion, while also enhancing visualization by providing atraumatic tissue deflection and improved visibility of the surgical site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid end effector is used for sequential cutting and stapling along a continuous path, then structural stability is maintained, but tissue trauma increases and visualization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil tip is designed with an angled configuration that is elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adapt its shape during insertion and tissue engagement. The tip can flex and deform in response to tissue resistance, enabling smooth navigation through tissue while maintaining structural integrity during cutting and stapling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil tip utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter change mechanism. By allowing the tip to deform elastically under load and then return to its angled configuration, the system achieves both tissue engagement flexibility and operational stability without increasing tissue trauma.
2Reliability
If a rigid end effector is used for sequential cutting and stapling along a continuous path, then structural stability is maintained, but visualization of the surgical site deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable anvil tip creates dynamic light reflection patterns that enhance visualization. As the tip flexes during insertion and tissue engagement, it creates changing reflection angles that improve the surgeon's ability to visualize the surgical site and track the cutting path.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled deformable tip utilizes light reflection properties to enhance visualization. The tip's deformation changes the angle of light reflection, creating visual cues that help the surgeon monitor the surgical progress and tissue interaction in real-time.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an elastically deformable angled anvil tip is used, then tissue engagement becomes atraumatic and visualization improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil tip is constructed as a flexible, elastically deformable component that can be integrated into the existing end effector structure. This flexible tip design allows atraumatic tissue engagement while maintaining compatibility with the overall rigid end effector assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil tip may utilize composite material construction combining rigid and flexible properties. This allows the tip to exhibit elastic deformation for tissue engagement while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for cutting and stapling functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The elastically deformable anvil tip enables atraumatic tissue engagement and enhanced visualization, facilitating smooth navigation through tissue and reducing trauma during sequential cutting and stapling procedures, thereby improving the efficacy of surgical maneuvers like 'marching' without increasing tissue trauma.
Implementation Method 1
end effector with an elastically deformable angled anvil tip that biases to an angled configuration, allowing for smooth tissue engagement and deformation during insertion
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical stapling instrument is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector with a pair of jaws. A placement tip extends distally from one of the jaws of the end effector. The placement tip is elastically deformable when the placement tip is subject to a clamping force. In some instances the placement tip includes an arcuate bend, while in other instances the placement tip is straight. The placement tip can have a variety of non-rectangular lateral cross-sectional shapes. In some instances, the placement tip is made of a material of a specified durometer range and having a high color contrast. A distal end of the placement tip may change position based on the state of deflection of the placement tip in response to the clamping force.