Flexible Endoscopic Tissue Stapler for Tortuous Anatomy

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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 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis using a pushing element and movable blocks, or fluid-actuated expandable chambers for staple deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid stapler is used for stapling tissue, then the stapling function is reliable, but the stapler cannot navigate tortuous anatomy without causing tissue trauma

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling function reliabilityVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stapler is constructed with a flexible shaft that allows it to navigate tortuous anatomy without causing tissue trauma, while maintaining the reliability of the stapling function through a specialized stapling mechanism at the distal end

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a rigid stapler is used, then the stapling mechanism is simple and reliable, but it cannot be used in endoscopic and outpatient procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidprocedural flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stapler incorporates a flexible shaft that enables dynamic navigation through tortuous anatomy, allowing the same device to be used in both laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures, thereby enhancing procedural flexibility while maintaining stapling reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stapler is designed with universal applicability to support multiple surgical approaches (laparoscopic and endoscopic) and various anatomical regions, making it a versatile device for different procedural scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

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

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue trauma reductionVSAvoidstapling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stapler is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible shaft for navigation and a specialized stapling mechanism at the distal end. This segmentation allows the flexible shaft to navigate tortuous anatomy while the modular stapling mechanism maintains reliability without requiring the entire device to be overly complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If staples are deployed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, then tissue fastening is effective, but the mechanism requires precise control and additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue fastening effectivenessVSAvoiddeployment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stapling mechanism is pre-configured with staples positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the deployment mechanism is designed to fire staples in this predetermined orientation. This preliminary arrangement ensures effective tissue fastening while simplifying the control requirements during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12440210B2Systems, devices, and related methods for fastening tissue

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 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.