Fastener Cartridge Trajectory Control for Staple Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical cutting and stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently aligning and securing staples within varying tissue thicknesses, leading to inconsistent staple formation and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of a fastener cartridge assembly with a tissue thickness compensator and trajectory control mechanisms that bias staple legs for alignment and secure positioning within the cartridge, ensuring proper staple formation across different tissue thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If trajectory control mechanisms are used to align staple legs, then manufacturing precision of staple formation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A trajectory control mechanism is introduced as an intermediary element between the staple legs and the anvil. This mechanism mediates the interaction by providing a controlled path that guides the staple legs during formation, ensuring consistent alignment and staple quality while managing the complexity through a dedicated guiding structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The trajectory control mechanism utilizes changes in geometric parameters along the staple leg path. By varying the trajectory parameters (curvature, angle, position) along the path of the staple legs, the mechanism ensures proper alignment and formation consistency across different tissue thicknesses without requiring complex active control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fastener cartridge assembly compensates for varying tissue thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener cartridge assembly is pre-configured with trajectory control mechanisms and properly positioned staple legs before use. This preliminary arrangement ensures that regardless of varying tissue thicknesses, the staples are pre-aligned to follow the correct formation path, eliminating the need for real-time adjustments and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The trajectory control mechanism is designed to automatically adapt to different tissue thicknesses without external intervention. The geometric constraints and pre-positioned elements self-adjust based on the tissue thickness encountered, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If staple legs are biased toward alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the force required for insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trajectory control mechanism provides dynamic alignment of the staple legs during the insertion and formation process. Rather than rigidly fixing the staple legs in position, the mechanism allows controlled movement and adjustment along the trajectory path, enabling alignment precision while accommodating the forces applied during tissue penetration and staple formation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1E
AI summary
A fastener cartridge assembly. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise a fastener, a cartridge body, and a tissue thickness compensator. The fastener can comprise a base, a first leg extending from the base, and a second leg extending from the base. The cartridge body can comprise a fastener cavity for receiving the fastener and a trajectory control (20514) for controlling the trajectory of the first and second legs of the fastener. The fastener can be removable from the fastener cavity along a fastener axis. The trajectory control can extend inwardly toward the fastener axis and can bias the first leg and the second leg toward alignment with the fastener axis when the fastener is positioned in the fastener cavity.