Removable Surgical Stapler Power Pack for Sterilization-Free Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers face challenges with contamination risks, high costs, and damage to electronic components due to sterilization processes, leading to inefficiencies and increased expenses.
Innovation Solution
A fully enclosed and removable power pack for surgical staplers that prevents contact with patient fluids, allowing multiple uses without sterilization, combined with motorized mechanisms for staple firing and articulation, and integrated sensors for 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
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical stapler is divided into two main segments: a reusable handle assembly containing electronic components and a disposable cartridge containing the staples and anvil. This segmentation allows the electronic components to remain in the reusable portion that does not require sterilization, while the disposable portion is discarded after a single use, preventing contamination without exposing electronics to damaging sterilization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic components are extracted from the portion of the instrument that contacts the patient and requires sterilization. By placing electronics only in the handle assembly that remains outside the sterile field, the patent eliminates the need to subject electronic components to sterilization processes, thereby preserving their functionality while enabling reusability.
2Reliability
If surgical staplers are made fully disposable to avoid sterilization risks, then infection risk is reduced, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is segmented into disposable and reusable portions. The cartridge containing staples and anvil is disposable and discarded after one use, ensuring no infection risk from contamination. The handle assembly with expensive electronic components is reusable and not discarded, significantly reducing overall cost while maintaining infection prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the necessary disposable portion (cartridge with staples) is discarded after use, while the valuable handle assembly with electronic components is recovered and reused. This selective discarding approach prevents infection from the disposable portion while recovering expensive components for continued use.
3Reliability
If sterilization processes are applied to powered staplers, then contamination is prevented, but the lifespan of the surgical stapler is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The stapler is segmented so that only the cartridge portion requiring sterilization is disposable, while the handle assembly with electronics is reusable without sterilization. This eliminates the cumulative damage from repeated sterilization cycles on the main instrument body, extending the operational lifespan of the powered stapler system.
4Strength
If high forces are required to fire staples through tissue, then staple formation is achieved, but user fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical firing mechanism is replaced with an electronic motor-driven firing system. The motor provides the necessary high forces to fire staples through tissue automatically, eliminating the need for users to apply significant manual force and reducing user fatigue during surgical procedures.
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 instrument lifespan, and provides efficient, cost-effective operation with enhanced user feedback and functionality.
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 sensor for sensing force on tissue during application of the fasteners and providing visual feedback regarding the force on the tissue
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.