Linear Stapler Sequential Firing Mechanism for Lower Firing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear surgical staplers fire staples en masse, leading to issues such as inconsistent staple insertion, tissue leakage, and high firing force requirements that can deform the anvil, resulting in poor suturing effects and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a sequential firing mechanism using a threaded rod and nut system to individually fire staples, reducing the firing force and ensuring consistent staple insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a transmission device pushes an anvil to fire all staples at one time, then the stapling operation is completed in a single action, but the firing force becomes too large causing anvil deformation and poor staple insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the simultaneous firing of multiple staples into sequential individual firing actions. Each staple is fired one by one through a staple-by-staple mechanism, where the anvil moves incrementally to position and fire each staple sequentially rather than all at once. This segmentation reduces the peak firing force required at any given moment, preventing anvil deformation while maintaining productive stapling operation.
2Productivity
If a large number of staples are fired at one time, then the stapling process is fast, but the insertion effect becomes poor resulting in tissue leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements sequential staple firing where each staple is inserted and secured individually before the next one is fired. This ensures that each staple achieves proper insertion depth and tissue compression, creating reliable seals. The segmented approach maintains productivity by continuously firing staples in sequence without unnecessary delays, while ensuring each staple contributes to tissue leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the anvil and staple cartridge in precise alignment before firing each staple. The transmission device pre-positions the anvil at the correct location for each sequential firing action, ensuring optimal staple insertion angle and depth. This preliminary positioning action ensures consistent and reliable staple insertion into the tissue, preventing tissue leakage while maintaining efficient stapling speed.
3Ease of operation
If all staples are fired simultaneously, then the operation is simple and quick, but the anvil with cantilever beam structure deforms after multiple firings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sequential firing control where the transmission device advances the anvil incrementally after each staple firing. This segmented operation distributes the mechanical stress from firing forces across multiple smaller loading cycles rather than one large simultaneous load. The anvil's cantilever beam structure maintains stability because each individual firing event applies less force, and the incremental positioning allows stress distribution throughout the anvil structure over time.
4Force
If staples are fired one by one sequentially, then the firing force is reduced and insertion effect is improved, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous sequential firing where the transmission device maintains constant motion to advance the anvil and fire each staple without interruption. The automated mechanism continuously positions and fires each staple in rapid succession, eliminating idle time between firings. This continuous action approach reduces the time penalty of sequential firing by maintaining uninterrupted productive motion throughout the stapling process, making the time increase minimal compared to the benefits of reduced firing force and improved insertion quality.
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 sequential firing mechanism improves staple insertion, enhances suturing quality, and reduces anvil deformation, providing better surgical safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a staple pushing assembly (4) configured to push the staples (31) to move toward the anvil assembly (2), in which the staple pushing assembly (4) includes a first threaded rod (41) provided on the staple cartridge assembly (3) and a firing nut (42) sleeved on the first threaded rod (41)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A surgical instrument and a linear stapler. A staple pushing assembly (4) and a firing assembly (6) are provided; when a stapling mechanism is closed, the firing assembly (6) drives a first screw rod (41) in the staple pushing assembly (4) to rotate, so that a firing nut (42) sleeved on the first screw rod is moved relative to the first screw rod (41) in a first axial direction (A), so that staples (31) in a staple cartridge (32) are fired successively, and no problems, such as two ends having different sizes and dovetail-shaped staples, occur. Therefore, the surgical instrument and the linear stapler use a manner of successively stapling, reducing a required firing force, avoiding deformation of an anvil (21), providing a good stapling effect, a suture effect, and surgical safety.