Electrotaxis Stapling via Galvanic Metal Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical stapling devices face challenges in achieving effective wound healing, particularly in irradiated tissue, where anastomotic leaks can occur due to the quality of the stapled tissue, and existing materials may corrode or fail to enhance healing processes.

Innovation Solution

A surgical stapling device with a metal coating having an anodic potential on the anvil jaw member and staple cartridge, where staples formed of a cathodic metal transfer a coating during deployment, inducing a local electric field to enhance wound healing through electrotaxis, using magnesium, zinc, or titanium alloys.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surgical staples and stapling devices are used, then the stapling procedure can be performed, but wound healing is slow and anastomotic leaks can occur, especially in irradiated tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound healing effectivenessVSAvoidhealing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrochemical parameters of the stapling device by applying anodic potential to the anvil jaw member and cathodic potential to the staples. This creates an electrochemical cell that generates electric current in the tissue, fundamentally altering the healing parameters to accelerate wound closure and prevent leaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely mechanical stapling with an electrochemical mechanism. The electric current generated by the potential difference between the anvil and staples activates electrotaxis in cells, substituting mechanical fastening alone with bio-electrical stimulation to enhance healing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If metal coatings with anodic potential are applied to the anvil jaw member and staple cartridge, then electrotaxis is induced to accelerate healing, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound healing accelerationVSAvoidcoating application complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface properties of the anvil jaw member and staple cartridge by applying metal coatings with specific electrochemical potentials. This modifies the electrical parameters of the device to enable electrotaxis without adding complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite structures combining base metals (magnesium, zinc, titanium) with different electrochemical potentials. The anvil jaw member and staple cartridge are coated with anodic metals while the staples use cathodic metals, creating a composite electrochemical system that accelerates healing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If staples formed of cathodic metal are used, then the electrochemical potential difference is created for electrotaxis, but the staples may corrode during implantation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrotaxis inductionVSAvoidstaple corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of corrosion into a beneficial electrochemical reaction. The cathodic staples intentionally undergo controlled corrosion that generates electric current through the galvanic cell, transforming the degradation process into a healing mechanism that accelerates wound closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the corrosion parameters by selecting specific metal combinations (magnesium, zinc, titanium) with known electrochemical potentials. The corrosion is directed and controlled to generate sufficient current for electrotaxis while limiting harmful effects through proper material selection and potential management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The device accelerates wound healing by inducing cell migration and proliferation, reducing infection, and improving tissue remodeling, without compromising the anastomosis or requiring additional implants, and maintains effectiveness throughout the healing process.

Implementation Method 1

A metal coating having an anodic potential is on the anvil jaw member. The surgical stapling device also has a staple cartridge having staple pockets in the staple cartridge jaw member and staples in the staple pockets of the staple cartridge, the staples formed of a metal having a cathodic potential.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic corrosion: Crevice Corrosion

Implementation Method 2

inducing a local electric field to enhance wound healing through electrotaxis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrotaxis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP3954301B1Electrotaxis-conducive stapling

Publication Date: 2023.12.27 COVIDIEN LP

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AI summary

Surgical stapling devices have a metal coating on an anvil jaw member of the surgical stapling device, on a surface of staple pockets of a staple cartridge of the surgical stapling device, or any combination thereof. When the surgical stapling device is fired, the metal is transferred from the metal coating on the anvil jaw member, the staple pockets of the staple cartridge, etc., onto the staple. The resulting metal coating on the staple enhances healing of the tissue to which the staple is applied.