Feeder Belt Actuation for Multi-Fire Surgical Staplers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of exchanging cartridges in surgical staplers during minimally invasive procedures is time-consuming and inconvenient, discouraging surgeons from using these tools due to the difficulty in relocalizing the surgical site after each use.

Innovation Solution

A feeder belt system with pull tabs and an actuation assembly that allows for the deployment and resetting of staples without the need for cartridge exchange, where the actuation assembly includes wedges and a drive bar to deploy staples and a knife for cutting, minimizing the number of parts and complexity by using pull tabs to advance the feeder belt for the next deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a disposable single-use cartridge is used in an endocutter, then the stapling function is simple and reliable, but the device requires frequent removal and cartridge exchange which is time-consuming and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling function reliabilityVSAvoidtime for cartridge exchange and site relocalization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is divided into a reusable endocutter body and a disposable cartridge component containing staples and feeder belt. This segmentation allows the expensive, complex endocutter to be reused while only the consumable cartridge is replaced, reducing time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feeder belt is pre-loaded with multiple rows of staples in advance. This preliminary preparation allows continuous stapling operations without interruption for reloading, as the feeder belt automatically supplies staples to the firing mechanism throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the endocutter is removed from the patient after each use to exchange cartridges, then the stapler can be reused, but the process of reinsertion and site relocation is tedious and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendocutter reusabilityVSAvoidconvenience of cartridge exchange process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the reusable endocutter from the disposable cartridge, allowing the main instrument to remain in place while only the small cartridge is exchanged through the access port, eliminating the need for complete removal and reinsertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The endocutter body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different cartridge types and configurations, allowing a single endocutter to perform multiple stapling tasks throughout the procedure without requiring replacement of the entire device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple rows of staples are held in a single cartridge, then the stapler can perform multiple stapling operations, but the feeder belt mechanism increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of stapling operations per cartridgeVSAvoidfeeder belt and actuation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feeder belt system is designed to be self-actuating through the use of drive pins that automatically engage with the belt's drive slots. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external actuators, motors, or control systems to advance the feeder belt, reducing overall device complexity while enabling multiple stapling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution streamlines the stapling process by allowing for continuous use without cartridge exchange, reducing the time and effort required for reinsertion and site relocation, thereby enhancing the efficiency and convenience of surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The actuation assembly includes wedges and a drive bar to deploy staples

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

The actuation assembly includes wedges and a drive bar to deploy staples and a knife for cutting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10172614B1Feeder belt actuation mechanism for true multi-fire surgical stapler

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 TOUCHSTONE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCE CO LTD

AI summary

One example of a surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a plurality of staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt, and at least one pull tab extending laterally from the feeder belt. An example of a surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include providing at least one feeder belt and staples frangibly connected thereto, and at least one wedge movable relative to the feeder belt; moving at least one wedge in a first direction to contact and thereby form and shear at least one staple from at least one feeder belt; and moving at least one wedge in a second direction to engage and advance the feeder belt.