Laminated Drive Beam Minimizes Firing Forces in Articulated Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical stapling devices require high firing forces when the tool assembly is articulated, making it difficult to access tissue within body cavities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with a drive assembly featuring a flexible drive beam having a metallic core member and outer laminates made of materials with a lower coefficient of friction, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, which are secured to the core member to minimize firing forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tool assembly is articulated to high degrees to gain better access to tissue within a body cavity, then the access and versatility are improved, but the firing forces required to fire the stapling device greatly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive beam is constructed as a composite structure with a metallic core member and outer laminates made of different materials. The core member provides structural strength while the outer laminates provide low-friction surfaces, combining the advantages of both material types to reduce firing forces while maintaining articulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the drive beam have different material properties - the core member has high strength characteristics while the outer laminates have low friction characteristics. This local differentiation of material properties allows the drive beam to simultaneously withstand high loads and minimize friction during articulation
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 use of lower friction materials in the drive beam assembly reduces the firing forces required, enabling easier articulation and operation of the stapling device, especially when the tool assembly is in an articulated position.
Implementation Method 1
The outer laminates are formed of a material having a lower coefficient of friction than the core member to minimize firing forces of the surgical stapling device
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes an elongate body, a tool assembly pivotably coupled to the elongate body for articulation, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is movable in relation to the tool assembly to eject staples from the tool assembly and cut tissue clamped between jaws of the tool assembly. The drive assembly includes a working end that is coupled to a flexible drive beam. The flexible drive beam includes a metallic core member and outer laminates secured to opposite sides of the core member. The outer laminates are formed of a material having a lower coefficient of friction than the core member to minimize firing forces of the surgical stapling device.