Disposable Cutting Plate Assembly for Reliable Surgical Stapling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices face issues with the cutting plate deforming or fracturing during use, leading to ineffective tissue transection due to the cutting plate being part of the anvil assembly that is not replaced with the reload assembly.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with a reload assembly that includes a removable cutting plate and cartridge assembly, allowing for the cutting plate to be replaced after each firing, and a shipping cap that supports the cutting plate during installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the cutting plate is included as part of the anvil assembly that is not replaced with the reload assembly, then the device structure is simplified, but the cutting plate may deform or fracture during use leading to ineffective tissue transection
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting plate is separated from the anvil assembly and integrated into the reload assembly as an independent component. This segmentation allows the cutting plate to be replaced with each reload assembly, preventing deformation accumulation while maintaining overall device structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting plate is designed as a disposable component that is replaced with each reload assembly. This approach eliminates the need to maintain or replace individual cutting plates, ensuring consistent cutting performance while simplifying the overall device structure through standardized replaceable units.
2Strength
If the cutting plate is made more robust to prevent deformation, then the cutting plate strength is improved, but the force required for firing the stapling device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting plate is designed with optimized geometric features including tapered surfaces and specific thickness variations that allow it to be sufficiently strong for cutting while requiring reduced firing force. The dynamic interaction between the cutting plate and anvil assembly is engineered to achieve effective tissue transection with minimized actuation force.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting plate incorporates varying thickness parameters and material properties optimized for its specific function. The plate is thicker and stronger at the cutting surface to prevent deformation, while thinner in non-critical areas to reduce overall mass and required firing force, achieving a balance between strength and actuation force requirements.
3Reliability
If the cutting plate is replaced with each reload assembly, then the cutting plate integrity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting plate is merged with the reload assembly as an integrated unit, where both components are replaced together. This merging simplifies the device structure by eliminating the need for separate cutting plate replacement mechanisms, while still ensuring cutting plate integrity through consistent replacement with new reload assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The reload assembly is designed as a universal component that includes the cutting plate, cartridge, and other necessary elements. This multi-functional design allows a single replacement operation to restore all critical components including the cutting plate, maintaining integrity without adding complex separate replacement systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device (10) includes an anvil (22) and a reload assembly (50) that includes a cartridge assembly (20) and a cutting plate (54). The reload assembly (50) is removably coupled to the stapling device (10) to facilitate replacement of the cartridge assembly (20) and the cutting plate (54) on the stapling device (10). In certain aspects of the disclosure, the reload assembly (50) also includes a shipping cap (52) that is supported on the cartridge assembly (20) and supports the cutting plate (54).