Flexible Surgical Stapler Torque Boost for Tortuous Path Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers with rigid elongate shafts face challenges in navigating tortuous paths within a body cavity, making it difficult to introduce and position the stapling assembly effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible elongate body adapter with a cycloid gear assembly that increases input torque for the firing assembly, along with drive assemblies for gross and fine movement of a trocar member, facilitates the introduction and positioning of the stapling assembly through a flexible introducer assembly with jaw members that secure a suture for maintaining the assembly in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid elongate shaft is used in the surgical stapler, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the ability to navigate tortuous paths within the body cavity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate shaft is divided into multiple segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the shaft to bend and follow tortuous paths while maintaining structural integrity through the segmented construction
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate shaft incorporates flexible materials and thin-walled structures that enable the shaft to bend and flex along tortuous anatomical paths while maintaining sufficient structural strength to support the stapling assembly
2Adaptability or versatility
If the elongate shaft is made flexible to navigate tortuous paths, then adaptability is improved, but structural strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate shaft is constructed from composite materials that combine flexible components with reinforcing elements, providing both the flexibility needed to navigate tortuous paths and the structural strength required to support the stapling assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is segmented with articulation points that allow bending while maintaining structural integrity, enabling the flexible shaft to withstand mechanical loads during navigation and operation
3Power
If a cycloid gear assembly is added to increase input torque, then firing power is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cycloid gear assembly replaces simpler mechanical transmission systems with a compact gear mechanism that provides high torque multiplication in a small space, increasing firing power while minimizing the added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cycloid gear assembly is integrated within the existing handle assembly structure, with gears nested within each other to maximize space utilization and minimize the overall device complexity
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple drive assemblies are added for gross and fine movement control, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented into two independent drive assemblies: one for gross movement and one for fine adjustment, allowing each assembly to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The drive assemblies utilize common components and mechanisms where possible, such as shared mounting structures and control interfaces, reducing the overall complexity increase from adding multiple drive systems
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
Enables the flexible introduction and positioning of the stapling assembly within body cavities, allowing for effective stapling and tissue manipulation through tortuous anatomical contours, enhancing surgical precision and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The firing assembly includes a cycloid gear assembly for increasing an input torque from the first drive assembly to actuate the firing assembly
Implementation Method 2
The external thread of the spider gear may engage the internal thread of the jack nut such that rotation of the spider gear causes longitudinal movement of the jack nut
Implementation Method 3
The second drive assembly may include a drive screw and a push/pull cable movably secured to the drive screw by a threaded nut. Rotation of the drive screw may cause longitudinal movement of the push/pull cable
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible surgical stapler includes an adapter having a coupling assembly configured for securing the adapter assembly to a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the coupling assembly, a first drive assembly extending through the elongate body, and a loading unit secured to a distal portion of the elongate body. The loading unit includes a firing assembly operably connected to the first drive assembly. The firing assembly includes a cycloid gear assembly for increasing an input torque from the first drive assembly to actuate the firing assembly. The flexible surgical stapler may include an introducer assembly to facilitate introduction of a stapling portion of the surgical stapler into a body cavity of a patient.