Monolithic Closure Rod for Circular Stapling Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in achieving precise and consistent gap distance adjustment during anastomosis procedures, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased stress on components, which can result in elastic deformation and inaccurate tissue compression.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a monolithic closure rod made from a single piece of material, reducing the tolerance stack and stress levels, and features a preformed bent shaft with a flexible band portion to accommodate the anvil's movement, ensuring precise gap distance adjustment and minimizing elastic deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used in the closure rod assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to tolerance stack accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The closure rod assembly is merged into a single monolithic component formed from one continuous piece of material, eliminating the need for multiple separate parts and their associated interfaces. This integration removes tolerance stack accumulation between components while maintaining manufacturability through single-piece forming processes.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid shaft structure is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate preformed bends
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft structure employs local quality differentiation by making specific sections flexible while maintaining rigidity in other areas. The preformed bend portions are constructed with flexible materials or structures that allow curvature accommodation, while the remaining shaft maintains sufficient stiffness for precise gap distance adjustment and force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft structure transitions from a completely rigid design to a dynamic configuration that can adapt its shape. The preformed bends are designed to flex and conform to the curved anatomy of the digestive tract, allowing the instrument to navigate complex geometries while maintaining functional precision through controlled flexibility.
3Productivity
If high stress is applied to achieve precise compression, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to elastic deformation of components
Solution Approach 1:
The closure rod and related components are constructed from composite materials or material combinations that provide both high strength and high stiffness. This allows the application of sufficient compression force for efficient tissue approximation while preventing elastic deformation that would compromise the precision of gap distance adjustment and overall procedural reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a handle portion, an end effector, an anvil, a knob, and a monolithic closure rod. The monolithic closure rod includes a proximal shank portion, a distal trocar portion, and a band portion. The proximal shank portion is located within the handle portion and is configured to linearly actuate in response to rotation of the knob. The distal trocar portion is configured to selectively couple with the anvil in order to actuate the anvil relative to the end effector. The band portion extends between the proximal shank portion and the distal trocar portion and provides a reduced cross-sectional area. The monolithic closure rod consists of a single homogenous continuum of material extending along the lengths of the proximal shank portion, the band portion, and the distal trocar portion.