Surgical Reload Articulation Stabilization System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic staplers with articulating tool assemblies often experience permanent deformation due to small side loads during storage and shipping, leading to instability and difficulty in maintaining a non-articulated position, which is crucial for secure tissue manipulation and ease of insertion.
Innovation Solution
A reload system with a stabilization system that includes a slide member and biasing members, such as coil springs, to maintain the tool assembly in a non-articulated position by urging it back when small loads are applied, using articulation links connected to a pivot axis and engaged with a mounting assembly to counteract these forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tool assembly is made pivotable to enable articulation, then adaptability is improved, but stability deteriorates due to permanent deformation from small side loads during storage and shipping
Solution Approach 1:
A biasing member (spring) is pre-installed in the articulation mechanism to continuously apply a restoring force that counteracts small side loads before they can cause permanent deformation. This preliminary counter-action maintains the tool assembly in its neutral position during storage and shipping, preventing the stability issue while preserving articulation capability during use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tool assembly is made pivotable for articulation, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional articulation links and mounting assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation function is segmented into discrete components: articulation links, a mounting assembly with a pivot member, and a biasing member. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (articulation, pivoting, restoring) while simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process compared to a monolithic articulation mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tool assembly is made pivotable to articulate, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to permanent deformation of the flexible drive member
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member provides continuous preliminary counter-action to small side loads, preventing the articulation links from moving into positions that would deform the flexible drive member. This ensures the drive member remains intact and functional during storage and shipping, while the articulation mechanism remains fully reliable during surgical use.
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 reload system effectively maintains the tool assembly in a non-articulated position during non-use periods, preventing deformation and ensuring secure tissue manipulation and easy insertion through endoscopic access ports.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is positioned to urge the slide member in a direction to urge the tool assembly towards the non-articulated position
Implementation Method 2
the biasing member includes at least one coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical reload includes a proximal body portion defining a first longitudinal axis, a tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis, and an articulation stabilization system. The tool assembly is pivotably supported on a distal end of the proximal body portion between a non-articulated position in which the first and second longitudinal axes are coaxial and articulated positions in which the first and second axes define an acute angle. The articulation stabilization system is configured to urge the tool assembly in relation to the proximal body portion to the non-articulated position.