Implantable Staple Adjunct Structure for Full Retainer Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing staple cartridges face issues with incomplete splitting of implantable adjuncts during retainer removal, leading to procedural interruptions and increased duration due to interference between connections and center rib extensions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a retainer with a center rib extension having a sharp edge and an implantable adjunct with a knife slot featuring a plurality of slits and transverse cuts to ensure full cutting of the adjunct into two halves during retainer removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a burr-free cut is attempted by adjusting cutting parameters, then cut quality improves, but total reaming time increases due to multiple pass requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburr-free cut qualityVSAvoidtotal reaming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs a preliminary assessment of burr formation risk before the actual reaming operation. By evaluating material properties, tool characteristics, and cutting parameters in advance, the system determines whether a single pass will achieve burr-free cutting, allowing operators to optimize parameters for one-pass operation when conditions permit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor cutting conditions and burr formation in real-time. This feedback allows dynamic adjustment of cutting parameters during operation and provides data for optimizing future reaming operations, enabling the system to learn from each operation and improve efficiency over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple reaming passes are used to ensure burr-free cuts, then cut quality improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburr-free cut qualityVSAvoidreaming process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs a preliminary assessment of burr formation risk before the actual reaming operation. By evaluating material properties, tool characteristics, and cutting parameters in advance, the system determines whether a single pass will achieve burr-free cutting, allowing operators to optimize parameters for one-pass operation when conditions permit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system systematically varies cutting parameters such as speed, feed rate, and depth of cut based on evaluated conditions. By optimizing these parameters for single-pass operation when possible, or for specific pass configurations when necessary, the method reduces process complexity while maintaining quality standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If conservative cutting parameters are used to prevent burrs, then cut quality improves, but cutting speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburr-free cut qualityVSAvoidcutting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system systematically varies cutting parameters such as speed, feed rate, and depth of cut based on evaluated conditions. By optimizing these parameters for single-pass operation when possible, or for specific pass configurations when necessary, the method reduces process complexity while maintaining quality standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor cutting conditions and burr formation in real-time. This feedback allows dynamic adjustment of cutting parameters during operation and provides data for optimizing future reaming operations, enabling the system to learn from each operation and improve efficiency over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4646154B1Implantable adjunct to assure full cutting
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
  • EP4646154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4646154B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4646154B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Staple cartridge systems with implantable adjuncts and retainers are disclosed. The staple cartridge systems ensure the full-cutting of the implantable adjuncts through the structure/ manufacturing of the implantable adjuncts and the retainers.