Removable Surgical Stapler Power Pack for Sterilization Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers face challenges such as high costs, contamination risks, and the need for sterilization, which can damage electronic components and reduce their lifespan, especially in reusable powered models.
Innovation Solution
A fully enclosed and removable power pack for surgical staplers that prevents contact with patient fluids, allowing multiple uses without sterilization, and includes sensors and motors for motorized functions with user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surgical staplers are made reusable with electronic components, then cost effectiveness improves, but the electronic components are damaged by sterilization processes reducing lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical stapler is divided into two segments: a reusable handle assembly containing electronic components and a disposable cartridge containing the staples and anvil. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be protected from sterilization processes while the disposable cartridge can be sterilized or discarded after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need to sterilize electronic components. The reusable handle assembly with its expensive electronic components is protected from exposure to sterilization processes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If surgical staplers are disposed after use to avoid contamination risks, then patient safety improves, but cost increases due to discarding expensive electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable handle and disposable cartridge, allowing the handle with electronic components to be reused while the cartridge is disposed of, thus eliminating cross-contamination risks without wasting expensive electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable cartridge is extracted as a separate component from the handle assembly. This extraction allows the cartridge to be disposed of after single use to prevent contamination, while the handle assembly with valuable electronic components remains for reuse.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sterilization processes are applied to powered staplers, then contamination prevention improves, but the sterilization process damages electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable component that eliminates the need for sterilization of electronic components. Any sterilization needs are confined to the disposable cartridge which is discarded afterward, protecting the expensive electronics in the reusable handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge containing components that may require sterilization is extracted and made disposable, separating it from the handle assembly with electronic components that should not be exposed to sterilization processes.
4Reliability
If single use disposable surgical staplers are used to avoid resterilization risks, then patient safety improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical stapler is segmented into reusable and disposable portions, allowing the expensive electronic components to be reused while only the simpler cartridge is disposed of, thereby reducing overall cost compared to disposing of the entire instrument.
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
Reduces sterilization time and costs, extends the lifespan of the staplers, and provides efficient, cost-effective operation with improved surgical outcomes through user feedback and motorized functions.
Implementation Method 1
A first motor and first engagement member removably engageable with a firing mechanism to effect firing of fasteners
Implementation Method 2
A second motor and second engagement member removably engageable with an articulation mechanism to effect movement of the articulation mechanism
Implementation Method 3
A display screen provides visual feedback to a user
Data Source
AI summary
A power pack removably loadable into a compartment of an instrument. The power pack has a first motor and a first engagement member removably engageable with a firing mechanism to effect firing of fasteners and a second motor and second engagement member removably engageable with an articulation mechanism when the power pack is loaded into the compartment to effect movement of the articulation mechanism from a first position to a second position. A display screen indicates one or more of the following a) a specific direction and angle of the first and second jaws with respect to the longitudinal axis; b) a tissue force during firing of fasteners; c) a clamping force by the instrument jaws on tissue prior to firing; and/or d) change in clamping force over time. The display screen can alternatively be on the instrument.