Disposable Loading Unit Firing Indicator for Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling apparatuses lack means to monitor the firing progress of disposable loading units regardless of their orientation, determine if the unit has been previously used, indicate the number of firings, and measure the firing force experienced by the blade.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a firing indicator assembly with an axially extending opening and transparent window, a spent cartridge indicator system, and a strain gauge to provide visual and tactile feedback on the firing progress and force, allowing clinicians to monitor the firing process and determine if the unit has been fired, regardless of orientation, and measure the firing force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If numbered lines are printed on the bottom of the carrier channel to enable monitoring of blade progress, then the clinician can monitor firing progress, but the clinician must always be able to view the bottom of the carrier which is prevented when the unit rotates to certain orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional view (bottom of carrier channel) to a three-dimensional view by providing a window in the side of the housing. This allows the firing indicator to be visible from multiple orientations, solving the contradiction between monitoring capability and viewing accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a firing indicator assembly as an intermediary element that includes a window in the housing. This intermediary structure mediates between the firing progress (which needs to be monitored) and the clinician's view (which needs to be accessible regardless of orientation), allowing information transfer without requiring direct line-of-sight to the bottom of the carrier.
2Loss of information
If prior surgical stapling apparatuses lack means to determine if the disposable loading unit was previously used, then the structure remains simple, but the clinician cannot quickly ascertain whether the unit has been previously used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a spent cartridge indicator that provides visual feedback to the clinician about the usage status of the disposable loading unit. The indicator changes state (e.g., moves or changes position) to communicate whether the cartridge has been fired, enabling quick determination of usage status without complex electronic systems.
3Loss of information
If prior surgical stapling apparatuses lack means for monitoring the amount of firing force, then the device remains simple, but the clinician cannot monitor the amount of firing force being generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing systems with a mechanical indicator system. The firing force is converted into mechanical displacement or position change of an indicator element, which can be visually monitored. This substitution maintains simplicity while enabling measurement of firing force parameters.
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 clinicians to accurately monitor the firing progress and determine if the disposable loading unit has been used, while providing feedback on the firing force, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring proper usage.
Implementation Method 1
a strain gauge to provide visual and tactile feedback on the firing progress and force
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable loading unit for operable attachment to a surgical stapling apparatus. The disposable loading unit may have a carrier that supports a staple cartridge therein, an anvil assembly that is movably coupled to the carrier, and an axial drive assembly that is constructed to move in a distal direction from a start position to an end position through the staple cartridge in response to a drive motion imparted to the axial drive assembly from the surgical stapling apparatus. A firing indicator is provided on at least one of the anvil assembly and housing for indicating a position of the axial drive assembly as the axial drive assembly is driven from the start position to the end position.