Linear Surgical Stapler Cartridge Swing-Gate Lockout Against Accidental Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear surgical staplers lack effective mechanisms to prevent accidental firing after staple cartridge depletion or improper loading, leading to potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A lockout assembly featuring a swing gate and bridge member that prevents the firing assembly from being actuated unless the staple cartridge is properly loaded and fully fired, ensuring safe and controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no lockout mechanism is provided, then the device is simpler to manufacture and operate, but accidental firing after cartridge depletion or improper loading causes tissue damage and reduces safety
Solution Approach 1:
The swing gate is positioned to block the firing beam's path before firing can occur. The gate must be moved out of the way by the firing beam's own motion, creating a preliminary condition that prevents accidental firing while allowing intentional firing when the cartridge is properly loaded and depleted
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge member acts as an intermediary component that guides the firing beam and works in conjunction with the swing gate to control the firing mechanism. This intermediary structure ensures that the firing beam can only operate when proper conditions are met, resolving the contradiction between safety and complexity
2Reliability
If a lockout assembly with swing gate is added, then accidental firing is prevented and safety is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The swing gate is positioned to block the firing beam's path before firing can occur. The gate must be moved out of the way by the firing beam's own motion, creating a preliminary condition that prevents accidental firing while allowing intentional firing when the cartridge is properly loaded and depleted
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge member acts as an intermediary component that guides the firing beam and works in conjunction with the swing gate to control the firing mechanism. This intermediary structure ensures that the firing beam can only operate when proper conditions are met, resolving the contradiction between safety and complexity
3Reliability
If the swing gate blocks the firing beam path, then firing is prevented when cartridge is improperly loaded, but the structure requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The swing gate is positioned to block the firing beam's path before firing can occur. The gate must be moved out of the way by the firing beam's own motion, creating a preliminary condition that prevents accidental firing while allowing intentional firing when the cartridge is properly loaded and depleted
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge member acts as an intermediary component that guides the firing beam and works in conjunction with the swing gate to control the firing mechanism. This intermediary structure ensures that the firing beam can only operate when proper conditions are met, resolving the contradiction between safety and complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A staple cartridge assembly capable of coupling with a cartridge channel of a surgical stapler. The staple cartridge includes a staple cartridge body, a swing gate pivotably coupled with the staple cartridge body, and a bridge member extending across the central slot and located proximally relative to the swing gate. The staple cartridge body defines a central slot dimensioned to slidably receive a firing beam of the surgical stapler. The staple cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a staple deck extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The staple deck defines staple openings. The swing gate can pivot between a first position and a second position. The swing gate extends across the central slot in the first position, while the swing gate extends alongside the central slot in the second position. The bridge member defines a closed proximal end of the central slot.