Progressive Jaw Closure in Surgical Instruments for Tissue Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling and cutting instruments face challenges in achieving controlled jaw closure forces and efficient tissue handling, particularly in varying tissue types and conditions, leading to inconsistent stapling and cutting performance.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a progressive jaw closure arrangement that includes a closure actuator with variable closure force control, allowing for controlled jaw closure and opening motions, and a control system to manage these forces throughout the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed jaw closure force is used in surgical stapling instruments, then the structure is simple, but the stapling performance becomes inconsistent across different tissue types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a progressive jaw closure arrangement where the closure force dynamically increases during the closing motion rather than remaining constant. The closure member is configured to engage with the anvil in a progressive manner, providing increasing compressive force as the jaw closes, which ensures consistent stapling performance across different tissue types while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through the use of cam surfaces and spring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the closure force parameter from a fixed value to a variable parameter that progresses during the closing motion. By using cam surfaces and spring mechanisms, the closure force is designed to increase progressively as the jaw closes, allowing the system to adapt to different tissue types and conditions without requiring multiple fixed-force mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a progressive jaw closure arrangement with variable closure force is implemented, then stapling performance across different tissue types improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism uses dynamic engagement between the closure member and anvil through cam surfaces that progressively increase closure force during the closing motion. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying tissue types and conditions automatically, providing versatility without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple independent adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The progressive closure arrangement is designed to automatically adjust closure force based on the closing motion itself, without requiring external control systems. The cam surfaces and spring mechanisms work together to self-regulate the closure force progression, making the system self-adapting to different tissue types while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If variable closure force control is added to manage jaw closure, then surgical precision improves, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves precise jaw closure control through a dynamic mechanical system where cam surfaces and spring mechanisms automatically regulate closure force progression. This mechanical progressive closure provides precise control over the stapling process without requiring complex electronic control systems, sensors, or actuators, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while limiting control system complexity to primarily mechanical elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument that includes a first jaw and a second jaw that are movable between a closed position and an open position. An axially movable closure member is supported relative to the jaws to apply closing and opening motions thereto. A closure actuator operably interfaces with the closure member and is movable from an unactuated position corresponding to the open position in a closure direction during a closure procedure. A first control system is configured to apply an opening control motion to the closure actuator to return the closure actuator to the unactuated position upon completion of the closure procedure. A second control system is configured to apply a variable closure force to the closure member as the closure actuator is moved in the closure direction.