Flexible Endoscopic Stapling Heads for Tortuous Tissue Fastening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laparoscopic staplers are rigid and cannot navigate tortuous anatomy without causing tissue trauma, limiting their use in endoscopic and outpatient procedures.

Innovation Solution

Development of a flexible endoscope platform with a stapling capability, featuring a shaft that can articulate through tortuous anatomy, and a stapling mechanism that deploys staples perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis using a pushing element and movable blocks, or fluid-actuated expandable chambers to deliver staples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid stapler is used for tissue fastening, then the stapling mechanism provides sufficient strength and stability, but the stapler cannot navigate tortuous anatomy without causing tissue trauma

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling strengthVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stapler shaft is constructed as a flexible endoscope platform that can bend and articulate through tortuous anatomy without causing tissue trauma. The flexible construction allows the stapler to navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining the integrity of surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The stapling mechanism is divided into separate stapling heads positioned at the distal end of the flexible shaft. This segmentation allows the stapling function to be isolated from the flexible navigation function, enabling the stapler to bend through anatomy while the stapling heads perform the fastening operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid stapler is used, then the stapling mechanism is structurally stable, but it cannot be navigated through tortuous anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling head stabilityVSAvoidanatomy navigation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stapler is segmented into a flexible shaft portion for navigation and separate stapling heads for the fastening function. This allows the shaft to be flexible and adaptable to tortuous anatomy while the stapling heads maintain structural stability for reliable tissue fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible endoscope platform serves multiple functions: it provides a stable shaft structure for navigation, delivers stapling capability through distal stapling heads, and enables articulation through tortuous anatomy. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible shaft is used to navigate tortuous anatomy, then tissue trauma is avoided, but the stapling mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidstapling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stapling mechanism is segmented into distinct components: stapling heads containing staples, movable blocks for staple deployment, and resilient members for return motion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall design compared to a monolithic rigid stapler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient members automatically return the movable blocks to their initial positions after staple deployment, eliminating the need for complex manual return mechanisms. This self-service feature reduces operational complexity while maintaining the flexibility of the shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If traditional stapling mechanisms are used, then the stapling process is straightforward, but it cannot be performed in endoscopic and outpatient procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling operation simplicityVSAvoidendoscopic procedure capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible endoscope platform enables the stapler to be used in endoscopic and outpatient procedures by allowing it to navigate through body lumens and tortuous anatomy. The flexible construction maintains ease of operation while expanding the range of applicable procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The stapling heads and movable blocks are designed to move dynamically relative to each other during the stapling process. The movable blocks can be actuated to deploy staples, and the resilient members provide automatic return, creating a dynamic system that adapts to the procedural needs of endoscopic surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260013854A1Systems, devices, and related methods for fastening tissue

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A medical device may include a shaft extending from a proximal end toward a distal end, the shaft including a lumen extending from the proximal end toward the distal end; a first stapling head at the distal end, the first stapling head configured to contain one or more staples, and the first stapling head having a block disposed within, and movable relative to, the first stapling head; a second stapling head at the distal end; and a pushing element extending through the lumen, the pushing element being movable from a first position to a second position, wherein transition of the pushing element from the first position to the second position urges the block to move toward second stapling head to deploy the one or more staples.