Detachable Guide Assembly for Surgical Staplers in Narrow Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments struggle to access difficult-to-reach surgical sites, such as small or confined spaces, necessitating the use of additional vascular anastomosis devices, which increases medical costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A detachable guide assembly for surgical instruments, featuring a movable position-limiting member and snap-fit mechanism, allows the end effector to be extended into narrow spaces, and a disassembling tool enables easy detachment and reassembly, reducing the need for multiple instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard surgical stapling instrument is used, then the instrument structure is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot access narrow or difficult-to-reach surgical sites
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into separable components: a standard stapling device and a detachable guide assembly. The guide assembly can be attached when narrow site access is needed and removed when not needed, allowing the base instrument to remain simple while gaining adaptability for specialized situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide assembly acts as an intermediary component that facilitates entry into narrow spaces. It has a slender body with a curved guide portion that navigates difficult anatomy, then transfers the stapling function to the main effector assembly, enabling access without requiring the entire instrument to be redesigned.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated vascular anastomosis device is used to access narrow sites, then access to difficult-to-reach sites is achieved, but medical costs and expenses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide assembly is designed as a multi-functional attachment that can be used with standard stapling instruments for various surgical applications including vascular anastomosis, peripheral vascular surgery, and general soft tissue procedures. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized expensive devices by providing a single adaptable solution.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than purchasing expensive dedicated vascular devices, surgeons can use the affordable guide assembly attachment with their existing stapling instruments, achieving similar functional outcomes for accessing narrow sites without the high cost of specialized equipment.
3Reliability
If the guide assembly uses a complex joining mechanism, then the connection is very secure and stable, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The movable position-limiting member transitions between locked and unlocked positions dynamically. During assembly, it allows the effector assembly to move freely into place; during operation, it secures the connection; during disassembly, it releases to allow removal. This dynamic behavior provides both stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit mechanism replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with a simple elastic deformation-based locking system. The movable position-limiting member uses material elasticity to provide secure locking without requiring threads, bolts, or multiple fastening steps, enabling quick assembly and disassembly.
4Reliability
If the slidable snap-fit portion slides a long distance, then the snap-fit engagement is very secure, but the guide portion cannot navigate narrow spaces effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion has a slender, curved geometry optimized for navigating narrow spaces, while the snap-fit portion is localized to a compact region near the effector assembly. This local concentration of the locking mechanism allows the guide portion to remain short and maneuverable while still providing secure engagement where space is less constrained.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit engagement occurs in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide assembly. This dimensional separation allows the snap-fit mechanism to develop full engagement strength in one direction without increasing the length of the guide portion in the axial direction, maintaining navigability while providing secure locking.
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
Enables efficient access to narrow surgical sites with a single instrument, simplifying operations and reducing medical expenses by eliminating the need for additional devices.
Implementation Method 1
the movable position-limiting member generates a non-flexible deformation when abutting against the slidable guide portion, and releases the non-flexible deformation when the slidable snap-fit portion slides to a joining position, so as to snap-fit with a snap-fit structure of the effector assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical instrument, and a guide assembly and a disassembling tool therefor are disclosed. The disassembling tool includes a frame body and a movement mechanism which is arranged at the frame body. A forward movement of the frame body along the first path is capable of triggering the movement mechanism to move relative to the guide assembly along the second path. A reverse movement of the frame body along the first path is capable of triggering the movement mechanism to drive the guide assembly and the effector assembly of the surgical instrument to switch from a joined state to a separate state. The guide assembly can be disassembled in two simple steps. The operation is simple and efficient, which greatly facilitates disassembling and replacement of the guide assembly.