Elastic Members for Variable Tissue Compression in Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face challenges in achieving a balance between anastomotic strength and hemostasis, particularly due to variations in tissue thickness, as they rely on constant staple gaps that do not accommodate varying tissue compressive forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A surgical fastener applying apparatus with a pair of elastic members positioned between the cartridge member and the channel of the second jaw, which applies and maintains constant compressive forces to tissue regardless of thickness, allowing for independent staple formation based on the channel configuration and clamping force, rather than tissue thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a constant gap between anvil and staple cartridge is used, then staple formation is consistent, but tissue compression force varies with tissue thickness affecting hemostasis and anastomotic strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic member that dynamically adjusts the gap between the anvil and staple cartridge based on tissue thickness. The elastic member deforms elastically to accommodate varying tissue thicknesses, maintaining constant compressive force on the tissue while allowing the gap to vary. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the gap between anvil and cartridge from constant to variable by introducing an elastic element. The elastic member's deformation changes the gap parameter dynamically, allowing the system to maintain constant force while accommodating different tissue thicknesses, thus resolving the force consistency issue.
2Force
If different size staples are included to accommodate varying tissue thickness, then tissue compression can be adjusted, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of varying staple sizes throughout the cartridge, the patent applies a uniform elastic member that locally adapts to tissue thickness at the compression interface. This maintains simple staple configuration while achieving variable compression through the elastic member's deformation, resolving the contradiction between force adjustment and device simplicity.
3Force
If elastic members are added to maintain constant compressive force, then tissue compression consistency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary element between the anvil and staple cartridge, mediating the force transmission. It absorbs the complexity of force regulation by deforming elastically, allowing the main apparatus structure to remain simple while achieving constant compressive force through the intermediary's adaptive behavior.
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
This solution ensures consistent staple formation and tissue clamping across varying tissue thicknesses, enhancing anastomotic strength and hemostasis by maintaining constant compressive forces and minimizing deformation of surgical fastener components, thus expanding the range of tissue thicknesses that can be effectively managed.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of elastic members positioned between the cartridge member and the channel of the second jaw, the pair of elastic members configured and dimensioned to apply and maintain constant compressive forces to tissue regardless of tissue thickness
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus (1000), and the application of variable compression to tissue. More specifically, the presently disclosed surgical fastener applying apparatus including a first jaw (1010) having proximal and distal ends and including an anvil member (1100), the anvil member extending along a longitudinal axis and including a tissue contacting surface and a second jaw (1012) having proximal and distal ends movably coupled to the first jaw, the second jaw including a cartridge member (1200) and a channel (1209). The surgical fastener applying apparatus further includes a pair of elastic members (1224) positioned between the cartridge member and the channel of the second jaw, the pair of elastic members configured and dimensioned to apply and maintain constant compressive forces to tissue regardless of tissue thickness.