Rotatable Barrel Stapling Device for Multi-Fire Procedures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical stapling devices require frequent replacement of staple cartridges during endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures, increasing procedure time and infection risk due to the need to remove and reinsert the device for cartridge replacement.

Innovation Solution

A surgical stapling device with a rotatable barrel formed by multiple cartridges, where each cartridge is sequentially moved into alignment with an anvil, allowing multiple firings without cartridge replacement, utilizing a guide shaft and sled mechanism to index the barrel and position fresh cartridges, and an electrically powered handle with integrated circuit chips to track cartridge usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single staple cartridge is used in the surgical stapling device, then the device structure is simple, but the cartridge must be frequently replaced during endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures, increasing procedure time and infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical stapling device is divided into multiple staple cartridges (e.g., three cartridges) arranged in a rotatable barrel, with each cartridge capable of independent firing. This segmentation allows the device to perform multiple firing cycles before requiring replacement, reducing procedure time and the need for frequent device removal and reinsertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The barrel is designed to rotate dynamically during the firing sequence, bringing each staple cartridge into alignment with the anvil in succession. This dynamic rotation mechanism enables multiple firings without replacing the entire device, thereby reducing procedure time and minimizing the risk of infection associated with repeated device insertion and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If multiple staple cartridges are sequentially positioned in a rotatable barrel, then the cartridge can be fired multiple times without replacement, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure timeVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple staple cartridges are combined into a single rotatable barrel assembly, integrating several firing capabilities into one unified structure. This merging allows the device to perform multiple firings without replacement, reducing procedure time while consolidating the complexity into a manageable integrated system rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple staple cartridges are sequentially positioned in a rotatable barrel, then the cartridge can be fired multiple times without replacement, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection riskVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple staple cartridges are combined into a single rotatable barrel assembly, integrating several firing capabilities into one unified structure. This merging allows the device to perform multiple firings without replacement, reducing procedure time and the need for repeated device removal, thereby reducing infection risk while consolidating the complexity into a manageable integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10912564B2Multi-fire push rod stapling device

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical stapling device includes a housing and a plurality of cartridges that are coupled together to form a barrel that is rotatably supported within the housing. Each of the cartridges defines a plurality of staple pockets, each supporting a staple. An anvil is coupled to the housing and is movable in relation to the barrel between an open position and a clamped position. A guide shaft extends through the housing and through the barrel. The guide shaft supports a sled and a clamping member. The sled is configured to translate through the barrel to eject the staples from an active cartridge of the plurality of cartridges in response to actuation of a push rod. After firing staples from the active cartridge, the sled and the guide shaft are configured to index or rotate the barrel within the housing to move a second cartridge of the plurality of cartridges to the active position upon retraction and subsequent movement of the sled through a second firing stroke.