Expandable Surgical Stapler Jaw for Reliable Tissue Stapling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical staplers with complex mechanisms lead to increased manufacturing burdens and potential device failures, as well as user confusion, while requiring reliable stapling of clamped tissue without such complexity.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapler design featuring an elongate shaft, handle assembly, and jaw assembly with a simplified actuation mechanism that allows for longitudinal movement to transition between open, closed, and stapling positions, utilizing guides and links to pivot jaws and deploy staples efficiently, suitable for use in laparoscopic procedures through small trocar cannulas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used to ensure proper tissue positioning and stapling, then stapling reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (tissue clamping, positioning, and stapling) into a single integrated jaw assembly. The anvil and staple driver are merged with the jaw structure itself, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms to hold and position the anvil, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stapling reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it clamps tissue, positions the anvil, and drives staples. The actuation mechanism that moves the jaw also performs the stapling action, making the same component responsible for both clamping and stapling functions, thus reducing the number of separate mechanisms needed
2Ease of operation
If multiple triggers and handles are provided for proper stapling, then stapling control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clamping trigger and stapling trigger into a single integrated actuation mechanism. Moving the jaw assembly distally performs both clamping and stapling functions through one continuous motion, eliminating the need for separate triggers and handles, thereby simplifying user interaction while maintaining precise stapling control
3Reliability
If jaw assembly is designed for reliable stapling, then stapling function is improved, but working space in small diameter trocar cannulas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is nested within the jaw assembly structure rather than being a separate external component. The staple driver is integrated into the jaw mechanism, allowing these essential stapling components to be contained within the compact jaw assembly volume, thereby maintaining reliable stapling function while minimizing the space required in small diameter trocar cannulas
Data Source
AI summary
Jaw assemblies for a surgical stapler are provided. The jaw assemblies comprise a first jaw having a first clamping surface and a plurality of staples disposed therein and second jaw assembly having a second clamping surface. The jaw assemblies can be actuated from a closed configuration in which the first clamping surface contacts or is adjacent to the second clamping surface to an open configuration in which the second jaw is pivoted away from the first jaw to a stapling position in which the second clamping surface is parallel to the first clamping surface and spaced apart from the first clamping surface. A pivoting link or sliding pivot joint can couple the second jaw to the first jaw to facilitate motion between the closed position, the open position, and the stapling position.