Restriction Feature for Wedge Sled Control in Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers in robotic surgical systems lack effective mechanisms to prevent premature engagement of sharp features with tissues or equipment, leading to potential complications during procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of restriction features in staple cartridges, such as movable or slidable components, to control the movement of wedge sleds and knife members, ensuring safe and controlled stapling and cutting actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sharp features (wedge sled, knife member) are made movable for stapling and cutting functions, then surgical functionality is improved, but risk of premature engagement with tissue or equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a restriction feature that is preliminarily positioned to engage and hold the wedge sled and knife member in a restricted position before surgery. This preliminary action prevents premature engagement of sharp features with tissue or equipment, while allowing the features to be released and moved to functional positions when needed for stapling and cutting operations.
2Reliability
If restriction features are added to control wedge sled movement, then procedural safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the restriction feature with the existing cartridge assembly, integrating the safety mechanism into the overall device structure. The restriction feature includes a restriction arm that can engage with the wedge sled and knife member, combining multiple control functions within a unified structural framework rather than adding separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction feature is segmented into distinct functional components including the restriction arm, engagement features, and positioning elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity, with the restriction arm specifically designed to engage and hold the wedge sled and knife member in restricted positions.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple positioning features are implemented for precise control, then control precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by providing specific engagement features at particular locations on the wedge sled and knife member that interface with the restriction arm. These localized engagement features include protrusions, recesses, or cam surfaces positioned at specific points to enable precise control of the sharp features, while the rest of the components maintain simpler geometries for easier manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a stapling assembly, and a restriction feature. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector being on a distal end of the shaft assembly and incudes a first second jaw. The stapling assembly is supported by one of the first jaw or the second jaw. The stapling assembly includes a wedge sled. The wedge sled is configured to move relative to the one of the first jaw or the second jaw to drive movement of one or more staples. The restriction feature is configured to releasably hold the wedge sled in a predetermined position within the stapling assembly while the stapling assembly is in a pre-fired configuration. At least a portion of the restriction feature is configured to respond to movement of the edge sled to release the restriction feature from the wedge sled.