Elliptical Stapler Head Oblique Anvil Surface
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intraluminal surgical staplers create staple lines with high stresses and limited strength due to circular configurations, which can lead to reduced functionality and increased stress on the lumen during anastomosis procedures.
Innovation Solution
An elliptical surgical stapler design featuring a head and anvil with obliquely oriented facing surfaces and a stepped configuration, creating an elliptical staple line that reduces stress and enhances strength by increasing the surface area of the cut tissue, thereby improving the coupling of adjacent tissue sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a circular staple line configuration is used in conventional intraluminal surgical staplers, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the staple line experiences high stresses and has limited strength during anastomosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the staple line configuration from a conventional circular shape to an elliptical shape. The elliptical staple line has different major and minor axes, creating an asymmetric geometry that distributes stresses more effectively across the tissue sections. This asymmetric configuration increases the surface area of the cut tissue and reduces stress concentration points, thereby improving staple line strength while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
2Productivity
If a circular staple line is created perpendicular to the lumen axis, then the stapling process is quick and efficient, but substantial stresses occur within the lumen and material passing through is confronted with all edges simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a circular staple line (where all edges are equidistant from the center) to an elliptical staple line with distinct major and minor axes. This geometric transformation creates different dimensional characteristics in the staple line, allowing material to pass through the lumen with reduced interference from bodily fluids. The elliptical configuration provides varying distances from the center to different points on the staple line, reducing stress concentration and improving fluid flow dynamics.
3Reliability
If the facing surfaces of the head and anvil are obliquely oriented to create an elliptical staple line, then tissue coupling is improved and stress is reduced, but the device design and manufacturing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the staple line from a circular configuration to an elliptical configuration. The oblique orientation of the facing surfaces creates an elliptical staple line with specific major and minor axis ratios. This parameter change improves anastomosis reliability by enhancing tissue coupling and reducing stress, while the manufacturing complexity increase is mitigated by the straightforward implementation of oblique surface orientation in the head and anvil design.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~6
AI summary
A surgical stapler includes a head in which a plurality of staples are stored. The head includes a facing surface. The stapler also includes an anvil having an anvil surface shaped and dimensioned for forming the staples upon actuation of the surgical stapler, the anvil including a facing surface opposed to the facing surface of the head for mating engagement therewith. The facing surface of the head is obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the head creating an elliptical staple line when the head is brought into contact with anvil during actuation of the surgical stapler.