Endoscopic Stapler Passive Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear surgical staplers have complex manufacturing and assembly methods due to their mechanical arrangements, which are costly and inefficient, and current endoscopic stapling procedures for internal tissue closure require skilled personnel and complex instrumentation.
Innovation Solution
A simpler endoscopic stapler design featuring a staple cartridge with a moveable distal portion and an anvil that slides into a fixed proximal portion, allowing staples to be ejected passively through slots in the cartridge face, curling into depressions on the anvil to staple tissue, with tissue grasping means and visualization tools for precise operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a complex mechanical arrangement with sliding cams or wedges is used to force staples through slots, then the staples can be effectively ejected from the cartridge, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex sliding cam or wedge mechanism from the stapler system. Instead of actively forcing staples through slots using mechanical cams, the design allows the cartridge to be pushed as a unit, passively ejecting staples through slots in the anvil face. This extraction of the complex mechanism directly reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining staple ejection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The stapler system performs staple ejection through passive means where the movement of the cartridge itself causes the staples to be forced through the slots. The staples and cartridge structure work together to achieve ejection without requiring separate active mechanisms like sliding cams, making the system self-sufficient and simpler to manufacture.
2Ease of operation
If traditional stitching or gluing methods are used to close holes in internal tissue, then the closure can be achieved, but the procedure requires major surgery to gain access and is much more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscopic stapler device combines multiple functions into a single instrument: it provides visualization means to view the tissue hole, grasping means to hold tissue edges, and fastening means to staple and close the hole. This multi-functionality allows minimally invasive closure of internal tissue holes without requiring major surgical access, directly reducing procedure complexity while maintaining closure reliability.
3Ease of operation
If laparoscopic or endoscopic devices are used to close holes in internal organs, then minimally invasive access is achieved, but the procedure requires skilled personnel and complex instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The stapler device is segmented into distinct functional components: visualization means, grasping means, and fastening means. Each component performs a specific function independently, making the overall system easier to operate and control. This segmentation reduces the skill requirement by allowing operators to control each function separately while maintaining minimally invasive access.
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 solution reduces manufacturing complexity and cost, enables simpler and more efficient stapling of internal tissue with reduced need for skilled personnel, allowing for effective closure of holes in internal organs using a more straightforward and cost-effective endoscopic surgical stapler.
Implementation Method 1
the distal portion slides into the fixed portion
Implementation Method 2
The stapler also comprises means for moving the anvil back and forth in a direction parallel to an imaginary axis passing through the distal face of the staple cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a stapler device comprising an anvil and staple cartridge located in the distal tip of an endoscopic device. The staple cartridge is comprised of a fixed proximal portion and a moveable distal portion, which slides into said fixed portion. Means are provided for moving the anvil back and forth, such that the anvil pushes against the distal face of the staple cartridge thereby pushing the moveable portion of the staple cartridge into the fixed portion and causing the staples to be ejected from said staple cartridge passively without said staples moving. The stapler of the invention has two embodiments, a side fastening embodiment and a front fastening embodiment. The endoscopic device that comprises the stapler can be used to perform many different stapling tasks, e.g. closure of a hole in the wall of an internal organ.