Hybrid Adjunct Attachment Mechanism for Surgical Stapler Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical staplers often cause leaks and inflammation due to staple forming holes, and the staples lack the natural flexibility of the tissue they are implanted in, leading to trauma and inadequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with an adjunct attached to the jaws using a hybrid attachment mechanism, which includes an adhesive, posts and bores, and a clip to secure the adjunct on the tissue-contacting surface, preventing detachment and deformation, and allowing for staple ejection and tissue cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If staples are used to close tissue openings, then tissue sealing is achieved, but leaks occur through staple holes and tissue inflammation results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the rigid staple structure with a flexible adjunct material that has tissue-like properties. The adjunct is positioned between the staple and the tissue, creating a composite fastening system that seals leaks and reduces inflammation while maintaining the structural function of the staple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible adjunct material that conforms to the tissue surface and fills gaps around staple holes. This thin film-like adjunct prevents fluid leakage through the staple penetrations and reduces mechanical trauma to the tissue, thereby preventing inflammation.
2Reliability
If rigid staples are implanted in tissue, then tissue closure is achieved, but natural flexibility of the tissue is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the fastening system have different properties. The staple provides rigid structural support at the closure point, while the adjunct material provides flexible, tissue-like properties at the interface with the surrounding tissue, allowing localized adaptation to tissue movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary adjunct material between the rigid staple and the soft tissue. This mediator transfers and distributes mechanical stresses, allowing the rigid staple to maintain closure while the flexible adjunct accommodates tissue movement and maintains natural flexibility.
3Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is used to prevent adjunct detachment, then adjunct stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment function into multiple independent mechanisms: adhesive bonding provides baseline attachment, mechanical interlocking features (posts and recesses) prevent lateral displacement, and a clip provides distal end securing. This segmentation allows each mechanism to address specific detachment modes without requiring a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple simple attachment mechanisms (adhesive, mechanical interlocking, and clip) into a hybrid system. Each mechanism is relatively simple in itself, but their combination provides comprehensive adjunct stability against various types of detachment forces without requiring any single mechanism to be overly complex.
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
The adjunct minimizes leaks and inflammation by reinforcing tissue, maintaining natural flexibility, and promoting healing through tissue reinforcement and fluid absorption, while allowing for flexible staple lines and reduced trauma.
Implementation Method 1
The first attachment mechanism includes an adhesive that adheres the adjunct to the tissue contacting surface of the jaw
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid attachment mechanism is provided to attach an adjunct to an end effector jaw of a surgical instrument, such as a surgical stapler. The hybrid attachment mechanism can include at least two attachment mechanisms, each configured to inhibit at least one manner of detachment from the end effector jaw. A first attachment mechanism can be configured to inhibit vertical removal of the adjunct. A second attachment mechanism can be configured to inhibit sliding of the adjunct with respect to the jaw. A third attachment mechanism can be configured to inhibit curling of the adjunct upon itself. Each of the attachment mechanisms can operate in concert with the others, allowing the hybrid attachment mechanism to simultaneously inhibit multiple forms of adjunct detachment. The hybrid attachment mechanism can be further configured to decouple from the end effector jaw, permitting deployment of the adjunct at a treatment site.