Linear Surgical Stapler Lockout for Actuator-Positioned Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers lack a mechanism to prevent inadvertent firing, which can lead to misuse or improper operation during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a firing lockout mechanism that ensures the stapler can only be fired when one firing actuator is fully deployed, using a leaf spring or rotatable member to inhibit firing until the actuator is in the proper position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a firing lockout mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent firing, then safety and control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A firing lockout member is introduced as an intermediary component between the firing actuator and the firing assembly. This lockout member selectively blocks the firing assembly from advancing, preventing inadvertent firing while allowing intentional firing when the actuator is properly positioned. The lockout member acts as a mediator that translates the positional state of the actuator into a safety control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The firing lockout mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by blocking the firing assembly before inadvertent firing can occur. The lockout member is positioned to prevent the firing assembly from advancing unless the firing actuator is in the correct deployed position, thereby preemptively stopping potential misuse or accidental activation.
2Manufacturing precision
If a firing lockout mechanism is added to ensure controlled operation, then surgical precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The firing lockout member serves as an intermediary that ensures precise control of the firing sequence. It verifies that the firing actuator is in the proper deployed position before allowing the firing assembly to advance, thereby ensuring surgical precision by preventing firing under incorrect conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lockout mechanism performs preliminary verification of the actuator position before permitting firing. This preliminary action ensures that all conditions for precise firing are met before the actual firing operation begins, thereby improving surgical precision through advance validation.
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
Prevents accidental firing, ensuring safe and controlled operation of the surgical stapler, thereby enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
using a leaf spring or rotatable member to inhibit firing until the actuator is in the proper position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes first and second stapler halves that selectively couple together and separate from one another, and a clamp member actuatable to approximate the stapler halves to clamp tissue. A firing assembly is actuatable through a firing stroke to fire the stapling assembly on clamped tissue. The firing assembly includes a firing actuator movable between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the firing actuator is configured to actuate the firing assembly through the firing stroke, and a firing lockout member movable between an engaged position in which the firing lockout member inhibits advancement of the firing assembly through the firing stroke, and a disengaged position in which the firing lockout member permits advancement of the firing assembly through the firing stroke. The firing lockout member is configured to assume the disengaged position only when the firing actuator is in the deployed position.