Molded Strain Gauge in Surgical Stapler Reload Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling devices with strain gauges for measuring tissue parameters are costly due to the use of expensive electronics that need to be sterilized and reprocessed for reuse.
Innovation Solution
A reload assembly for surgical stapling devices that includes a shell housing with a molded strain gauge on a tubular extension, allowing for cost-effective measurement of tissue parameters during stapling and cutting, with the strain gauge being disposable to reduce overall device costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive electronics are used for strain gauge measurement in the adaptor assembly, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into reusable components (handle assembly, adaptor assembly) and disposable components (reload assembly with strain gauge). The strain gauge is integrated into the disposable reload assembly rather than the reusable adaptor assembly, allowing the measurement function to be segmented from the expensive electronics. This resolves the contradiction by placing the measurement function in the disposable portion, reducing the cost of reusable components while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain gauge and reload assembly are designed as disposable components that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for expensive sterilization and reprocessing of the strain gauge. This resolves the contradiction by using a low-cost disposable measurement system instead of a high-cost reusable electronic system, significantly reducing device cost while maintaining adequate measurement precision for surgical applications.
2Reliability
If strain gauge electronics are made reusable and sterilized, then device reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates reusable components (handle assembly, adaptor assembly with electronics) from disposable components (reload assembly with strain gauge). This segmentation allows the reusable electronics to be sterilized and reprocessed without concern for the strain gauge, simplifying the sterilization process compared to sterilizing entire assemblies with sensitive electronics. The complexity is reduced by isolating the measurement function in the disposable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the strain gauge disposable rather than reusable, the patent eliminates the need for complex sterilization and reprocessing procedures for the measurement component. This resolves the contradiction by sacrificing the reusability of the strain gauge (accepting it as a single-use component) in exchange for significantly reduced manufacturing and sterilization complexity, while the reusable adaptor assembly can be sterilized using standard procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the strain gauge is integrated into the reload assembly, then device cost is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts that the disposable strain gauge may have slightly lower precision than expensive reusable electronics, but this is acceptable because the measurement is performed on disposable components that are discarded after use. The cost reduction is achieved by eliminating expensive reusable electronics from the measurement system, and the measurement precision is sufficient for surgical applications where the disposable nature of the reload assembly is accepted.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain gauge is molded as an integrated part of the reload assembly shell, creating a simplified copy of the measurement function that is inexpensive to manufacture. This resolves the contradiction by using a simplified, integrated measurement system that is cheaper than separate electronic components while providing adequate measurement capability for the disposable reload assembly application.
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 cost-effective measurement of tissue parameters during surgical procedures while allowing for the reuse of more durable components in the handle and adaptor assemblies, facilitating efficient and economical surgical operations.
Implementation Method 1
a strain gauge for measuring characteristics of tissue being stapled, e.g., tissue thickness, tissue compression, etc., and/or parameters related to staple formation or tissue cutting, e.g., cutting force, firing force
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes a reload assembly that includes a shell housing, a staple cartridge, a plurality of staples received within the staple cartridge, a staple pushing member for ejecting the plurality of staples from the staple cartridge, and a knife for cutting tissue. The shell housing supports a strain gauge which can be molded into the shell housing.