Modular Anvil Tip with Elastic Deformation for Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers lack advanced features for precise tissue manipulation and visualization during endoscopic procedures, leading to potential complications and increased recovery time due to limited articulation and visibility.
Innovation Solution
The development of an articulating surgical stapling instrument with a modular, elastically deformable anvil tip and rigid cartridge nose, featuring cooperating features that provide enhanced tissue gripping, visualization, and maneuverability, allowing for better insertion and positioning within the surgical site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional surgical staplers are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the articulation capability and tissue manipulation precision are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is divided into a proximal portion and a distal tip portion that can articulate relative to each other. The distal tip portion is separable from the proximal portion, allowing independent movement and articulation. This segmentation enables the anvil to adapt to different tissue configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal tip portion of the anvil is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its shape and position in response to tissue forces. This dynamic capability enables the anvil to conform to varying tissue geometries during stapling operations, improving adaptability without requiring complex mechanical articulation mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If the anvil tip is made elastically deformable, then tissue manipulation precision is improved, but the structural strength and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is segmented into a proximal portion and a distal tip portion. The proximal portion maintains structural strength and stability, while the distal tip portion is designed for elastic deformation and precise tissue manipulation. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the anvil have different mechanical properties. The proximal portion is designed with high strength and rigidity for structural support, while the distal tip portion is designed with elastic deformability for precise tissue manipulation. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between strength and precision.
3Ease of repair
If the distal end effector features are made separable, then adaptability and ease of repair are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distal tip portion of the anvil is designed as a separable component that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the distal tip to be exchanged without replacing the entire anvil or stapler, facilitating easy repair and adaptation while maintaining reasonable device complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable distal tip portion can be discarded after use or wear and a new tip can be attached to the proximal portion. This approach allows the expensive proximal portion to be reused while only replacing the consumable distal tip, improving ease of repair and reducing overall device complexity compared to replacing entire assemblies.
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 instrument enables precise tissue manipulation, improved visibility, and easier insertion, reducing complications and recovery time by providing enhanced articulation and visualization capabilities during endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the distal portion of the anvil is elastically deformable and allows the distal portion of the anvil to deflect away from the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a body portion, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes and anvil and a staple cartridge. The anvil has a body and a modular releasable curved tip that connects with the body. The curved tip may be elastically deformable. The curved anvil tip and the tip of the cartridge include cooperating features that assist in gripping tissue during clamping. A separate cartridge may be provided that retains a replacement anvil tip and a replacement staple cartridge, where the replacement anvil tip and staple cartridge include the cooperating features. The separate cartridge may also include anvil tip and staple cartridge removal features to assist in removal of previously installed anvil tips and staple cartridges.