Durable Cutting Plate for Surgical Stapler Anvil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable surgical stapling devices face performance issues due to damage of the cutting plate from the knife blade, which affects their ability to effectively cut tissue during multiple firings.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with a durable cutting plate made from materials like polyether ether ketone, polyoxymethylene, or metal, designed to withstand multiple firings, featuring a V-shaped knife slot and a robust knife blade engagement mechanism to minimize damage and ensure consistent performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reusable stapling device is used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but the cutting plate is damaged by the knife blade affecting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting plate is made from materials with changed physical parameters - specifically high-hardness materials like PEEK (polyether ether ketone), polyoxymethylene, or metal - which fundamentally alter its resistance to the knife blade's cutting edge, preventing damage while maintaining reusability
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting plate utilizes composite or advanced material construction, combining durability with precision cutting surface properties. The material selection (PEEK, polyoxymethylene, or metal) represents a composite approach to achieving both toughness and surface precision
2Strength
If the cutting plate is made more durable, then resistance to knife blade damage is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the material parameters to high-hardness plastics or metals, the cutting plate achieves superior durability through material selection rather than complex structural design, simplifying the manufacturing approach while enhancing strength
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting plate is designed as a separate, replaceable component within the anvil assembly, allowing it to be manufactured independently using optimized processes for its specific material requirements, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the cutting plate material is changed to durable materials, then performance over multiple firings is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters from conventional soft plastics to high-performance materials like PEEK, polyoxymethylene, or metal, which extend service life significantly. The cost is justified by the extended duration of action and reuse capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting plate is designed as a disposable or replaceable component within the reusable stapler system. This allows the expensive durable material to be used only where necessary, while the overall system remains cost-effective through reuse of the main device
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device (10) includes a replaceable cartridge assembly (44) having knife assembly (80) and an anvil assembly (42) including a cutting plate (52). The cutting plate (52) is configured be durable to maintain performance of the stapling device (10) over multiple firings.