Reusable Surgical Stapling Apparatus with Segmented Components
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling apparatus for circular anastomosis are typically disposable, leading to high costs due to the need for frequent replacements, and there is a need for a reusable apparatus that can be effectively sterilized for repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling apparatus with reusable components, including a handle portion, elongated body, firing assembly, and stapling assembly, designed for easy disassembly and sterilization, featuring a rotatable engagement member, approximation assembly, and a cartridge system that allows for the ejection of staples through a stapling assembly and into an anvil assembly, facilitating the joining of tissue while enabling the reuse of key components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical stapling apparatus are designed as disposable single-use devices, then sterilization reliability is improved, but cost increases due to frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical stapling apparatus is divided into reusable components (handle portion, elongated body portion, firing assembly) and disposable components (stapling assembly with staples). This segmentation allows the reusable parts to be sterilized and reused multiple times, reducing cost, while the disposable stapling assembly ensures sterilization reliability by being replaced after single use.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable stapling assembly containing used staples is discarded after single use, while the expensive reusable components (handle, body, firing assembly) are recovered, sterilized, and reused for multiple procedures. This recovers valuable resources while maintaining sterility standards.
2Loss of substance
If surgical stapling apparatus are designed as reusable devices, then cost decreases through repeated use, but sterilization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the apparatus into reusable and disposable portions, the sterilization complexity is reduced. Only the reusable components (handle, body, firing assembly) require sterilization processing, while the disposable stapling assembly is discarded, simplifying the overall sterilization workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable stapling assembly with staples is extracted as a separate disposable unit. This extraction removes the sterilization burden from the reusable components, as the stapling assembly is discarded after use rather than requiring complex sterilization procedures.
3Reliability
If disposable stapling assemblies are used, then sterilization is ensured, but device replacement frequency increases reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented so that only the stapling assembly (containing staples) is disposable and replaced, while the main reusable components remain in place. This minimizes replacement frequency and maximizes efficiency, as only the consumable stapling portion needs replacement rather than the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the stapling assembly with used staples is discarded after single use, while the expensive reusable components are recovered and reused. This maintains sterilization reliability for the disposable portion while improving productivity through continued use of reusable components.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle, an elongated body, a firing assembly, and a stapling assembly. The body extends from the handle and includes an engagement member rotatably supported on to a distal portion of the body. The engagement member defines an engagement slot and is axially movable about the body from a retracted position to an advanced position. The firing assembly includes a trigger, firing link, and pusher link. The pusher link is movably supported for distal translation through the body in response to actuation of the trigger. The stapling assembly houses a plurality of surgical staples and includes an outer shell having an engagement tab. The engagement member is rotatable relative to the body and the stapling assembly to releasably position the engagement tab within the engagement slot, thereby securing the stapling assembly at the distal end of the body.