Rotating Anvil Surgical Stapler for Continuous Tissue Transection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical staplers require frequent reloading and removal from the patient during procedures, limiting the length and number of transections that can be performed without interrupting the surgical process.
Innovation Solution
The development of end effectors with pivoting jaws and wire or rivet fastening assemblies that allow for continuous stapling and severing without the need for cartridge replacement, enabling longer transaction lines and multiple transections within a patient without removing the instrument, using mechanisms like rotating anvils, buttress strips, and motor-driven tissue cutting members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional surgical staplers use fixed cartridges with limited staple capacity, then the device structure remains simple, but the procedure requires frequent reloading and instrument removal
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to present different surfaces for stapling. This dynamic element enables continuous operation by rotating to fresh staple positions without requiring cartridge replacement or instrument removal, resolving the contradiction between continuous productivity and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple staple cartridges are pre-loaded onto the rotating anvil before the procedure begins. This preliminary preparation allows the surgeon to perform multiple transections continuously without stopping to reload, as the pre-loaded cartridges are sequentially presented during anvil rotation
2Length of stationary object
If the stapler uses a single cartridge with limited staples, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the length of continuous transection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating anvil serves multiple functions: it holds multiple staple cartridges, provides different anvil surfaces for various stapling configurations, and enables both continuous and discrete firing modes. This multi-functionality allows extended transection lengths without requiring entirely separate devices for different scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The staple supply is segmented into multiple cartridges that can be independently loaded onto the anvil. Each cartridge contains a specific number of staples, and the system can selectively present different cartridges as needed, allowing the transection length to exceed what a single cartridge could provide
3Loss of time
If frequent cartridge replacement is required, then the stapler structure remains simple, but procedural time increases due to instrument removal and reloading
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating anvil with pre-loaded cartridges enables continuous stapling action without interruption. The anvil can rotate to present the next cartridge while the current stapling operation completes, maintaining continuous useful action and eliminating time loss associated with instrument removal and reloading
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil rotation operates periodically to present different staple cartridges in sequence. This periodic presentation of fresh staple supplies allows the system to maintain continuous operation through rhythmic, predictable cycles of cartridge presentation rather than random or interruptive reloading
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a shaft and an end effector. The end effector is positioned at the distal end of the shaft and is operable to form a fastener assembly to secure tissue. The end effector includes first and second fastener assembly forming features. The first fastener assembly forming feature is rotatable relative to the shaft. The fastener assembly is formed by first and second fastener assembly members. The first fastener assembly member comprises a buttress strip received by the first fastener assembly forming feature. The second fastener assembly member comprises either a wire with protruding portions or a fastener strip with integral protruding fasteners. The buttress strip receives the protruding portions or protruding fasteners to secure tissue between the buttress strip and the wire or fastener strip. The end effector may transect layers of tissue and fasten the layers of tissue together on each side of the transection.