Fastener Cartridge Layer Design for Uniform Stapling Across Variable Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently forming and cutting tissue with uniformity and stability, particularly in handling non-uniform tissue thickness and types, leading to inconsistent staple formation and cutting performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of a fastener cartridge with non-uniform fasteners and a staple cartridge design featuring ridges, projections, and varying staple configurations to accommodate diverse tissue conditions, along with a pusher bar and knife blade system for precise staple ejection and tissue cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If uniform fasteners are used in the staple cartridge, then the device structure is simple, but the staple formation consistency deteriorates when handling non-uniform tissue thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing fasteners with non-uniform leg heights where at least one fastener has a first leg of a first height and a second leg of a second height. This allows different portions of the tissue to be engaged with appropriately sized fasteners, ensuring consistent staple formation across varying tissue thicknesses while maintaining overall device functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the staple cartridge includes non-uniform fasteners and structural features, then tissue handling adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fastener array into multiple rows and columns with specific fasteners positioned at different heights. The cartridge body is also segmented with recesses and protrusions that organize the fasteners. This segmentation allows the complex functionality to be achieved through modular, organized structures rather than a monolithic complex design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry through the inclusion of non-uniform fasteners where legs have different heights, and the cartridge body includes asymmetric features such as ridges and protrusions at specific positions. These asymmetric elements provide tailored engagement with non-uniform tissue while maintaining overall structural coherence.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple rows of staples are ejected sequentially, then cutting precision improves, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through the sequential ejection of multiple rows of fasteners in a controlled manner. The camming surface and pusher bar mechanism enable systematic, periodic deployment of each row, ensuring precise cutting between rows while maintaining efficient overall operation through the organized sequence of ejection.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener cartridge can comprise fastener cavities arranged in longitudinal rows. A first fastener having a first configuration and a second fastener having a second configuration can be stored within a longitudinal row. First fasteners having a first configuration can be stored within a first longitudinal row and second fasteners having a second configuration can be stored within a second longitudinal row. Each first fastener can have a proximal leg, or leg portion, extending at a first proximal angle and a distal leg, or leg portion, extending at a first distal angle and each second fastener can have a proximal leg, or leg portion, extending at a second proximal angle and a distal leg, or leg portion, extending at a second distal angle. The first proximal angle can be different than the second proximal angle and/or the first distal angle can be different than the second distal angle.