Manual-Fallback Surgical Stapler for Electric Mode Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric staplers face challenges in safely withdrawing and continuing surgery when they fail due to battery power or motor issues, necessitating time-consuming and labor-intensive replacement and repeat surgeries, which increase patient pain and surgical costs.
Innovation Solution
A stapler designed with a manually operable mechanism that includes a firing control assembly and swing control assembly, allowing manual operation by disconnecting power transmission between motors and the effector using limit members and manual members to ensure safe withdrawal and continued anastomosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electric stapler is used for surgery, then surgical efficiency and convenience are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to battery power insufficiency or motor failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational mode parameter from purely electric to a dual mode (electric/manual). The effector is designed to be drivable by either the drive motor or manual operation, allowing parameter switching between automated and manual control based on operational needs and failure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares for potential electric system failure by pre-configuring manual operation capability and a retraction mechanism. The retraction assembly is designed in advance to enable safe withdrawal of the effector if electric power fails, cushioning against the harmful effect of complete operational failure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electric stapler fails during surgery, then safe withdrawal is achieved through retraction mechanism, but surgical continuity deteriorates requiring replacement and repeat surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The effector is designed with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: it can perform the primary surgical function (cutting and stapling) when electric power is available, and it can be manually operated to complete the surgical task when power fails. This eliminates the need for complete replacement and repeat surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous surgical action by maintaining the effector's functionality throughout the procedure. The manual operation capability and in-situ replacement mechanism ensure that the useful action of tissue anastomosis continues without interruption, even if the electric drive system fails.
3Reliability
If manual operation mechanism is added to electric stapler, then reliability in failure mode is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into independent functional modules: the electric drive motor assembly and the manual operation assembly. These segments can operate independently, and the manual components (manual drive member, manual transmission mechanism) are separated from the electric components, allowing additive complexity only when needed for reliability.
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
Enables safe withdrawal and continuation of surgical procedures without interrupting the operation, reducing patient discomfort and surgical costs by allowing manual operation in case of electric mode failure.
Implementation Method 1
a driving block screwed on a motor shaft of the second drive motor, and a driving rod configured to receive an axial driving force of the driving block via a plug-in connector
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a stapler that is manually operable in case of failure in electric mode, including a housing, an effector, a firing control assembly, a swing control assembly, a first manual member and a connecting block. The firing control assembly includes a first drive motor and a gear set, the swing control assembly includes a second drive motor and a transmission assembly, the first manual member drives the connecting block to displace radially, and a distal side of the connecting block is provided with a first limit member and a second limit member that synchronously displace radially therewith, the first limit member is configured to cut off power transmission between the first drive motor and the effector through its radial displacement; meanwhile, the second limit member is configured to cut off power transmission between the second drive motor and the effector through radial displacement thereof. According to the present invention, the electric controls of the firing control assembly and the swing control assembly over the effector are synchronously disabled by means of the first manual member in the failure mode, such that the effector can be returned for safe withdrawal, and can be manually operated through the second manual member to complete the operation.