Endocutter Auto-Feed Buttress Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments, such as endocutters, lack a reliable buttress delivery system for multi-fire applications that can deploy multiple groups of staples without requiring cartridge exchange or removal from the patient, especially when dealing with fragile or diseased tissue.
Innovation Solution
An endocutter with a slidable buttress mechanism that is perforated along its longitudinal centerline, attached to cables, and tensioned by a pulley system, allowing for automatic feeding and separation after staple deployment to distribute staple force across a larger tissue area, thereby reducing tissue loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a buttress is used to distribute staple force across greater tissue area, then tissue loading is decreased, but the device complexity increases due to the need for a delivery system
Solution Approach 1:
The buttress is integrated directly into the staple holder assembly, merging the buttress delivery function with the existing staple firing mechanism. The buttress is positioned within the staple holder and advanced alongside the staples during the same firing cycle, eliminating the need for separate delivery systems or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The buttress is pre-positioned within the staple holder assembly before the surgical procedure begins. The buttress is advanced to the desired location and secured in place prior to staple deployment, so that when the staples are fired, the buttress is already in position to distribute the staple forces across the tissue.
2Productivity
If multiple groups of staples are fired without cartridge exchange, then productivity increases, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multi-fire capability
Solution Approach 1:
The staple holder is designed as a multi-fire cartridge that can repeatedly deploy multiple groups of staples without requiring removal or exchange. The same cartridge assembly that holds the first group of staples also contains the mechanism to fire subsequent groups, making the staple holder a universal component for multiple firing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-fire cartridge enables continuous staple deployment without interruption. After the first group of staples is fired, the cartridge automatically repositions and fires subsequent groups in sequence, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the surgical procedure without requiring pauses for cartridge exchange.
3Ease of operation
If a slidable buttress mechanism is used for automatic feeding, then ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to cables and pulley systems
Solution Approach 1:
The cable and pulley system for buttress advancement is integrated into the existing staple holder assembly, merging the buttress delivery mechanism with the staple firing mechanism. The cables are routed through the staple holder and connected to the handle assembly, so that the same operational movements that control staple firing also advance the buttress automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The buttress advancement system is designed to be self-actuating through the existing handle mechanism. When the surgeon operates the handle to fire staples, the cable system automatically translates this motion into buttress advancement without requiring separate manual manipulation or additional power sources. The system uses the existing operational energy to serve the dual purpose of staple firing and buttress deployment.
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 multiple staple firings without cartridge exchange, providing effective tissue support and reducing tissue loading by distributing staple force across a larger surface area, facilitating safer and more efficient minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
tensioned by a pulley system, allowing for automatic feeding
Implementation Method 2
attached to cables, and tensioned by a pulley system
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include: providing an endocutter having a staple holder and a plurality of staples, where a plurality, but less than all, of the staples are arranged in a firing position within the staple holder; engaging tissue of the patient with the staple holder; deploying the plurality of staples in firing position through a buttress and into tissue of the patient; disengaging the end effector from tissue of the patient; moving a plurality of staples into firing position; engaging tissue of the patient with the staple holder; advancing a segment of buttress relative to the staple holder; and repeating the deploying.