Rotating Locking Collar for Reusable Surgical Stapler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circular surgical stapling instruments are typically designed for single use due to a fixedly attached cartridge or shell assembly, lacking a simple and cost-effective method for securing a replaceable cartridge, which limits their reusability.
Innovation Solution
A loading unit with a shell assembly and a locking collar that includes a flexible tab and a retention ring, allowing for secure attachment and detachment from a surgical instrument, enabling the instrument to be reused by rotating the locking collar between locked and unlocked configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixedly attached cartridge or shell assembly is used in circular stapling instruments, then the instrument structure is simple and reliable, but the instrument cannot be reused and must be disposed of after single use
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into separable components: a reusable surgical instrument body and a replaceable loading unit with cartridge. The loading unit can be detached and replaced, allowing the main instrument to be reused while the disposable loading unit contains the consumable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a fixed state to a movable state through rotation of the locking collar. The collar can be rotated between locked and unlocked positions, dynamically changing the attachment state between the loading unit and instrument body to enable reuse.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a replaceable cartridge or shell assembly is introduced to enable instrument reuse, then reusability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional locking and retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are combined into a single rotational locking collar that simultaneously engages with retention ribs and locking features on the annular ring. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking tabs automatically engage with the annular ring when the locking collar is rotated to the locked position, providing self-locking without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms. The resilient nature of the tabs ensures automatic engagement and maintenance of the locked state.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple and cost-effective locking mechanism is used to secure the replaceable cartridge, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the reliability of secure attachment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The loading unit with cartridge is designed as a disposable component that can be manufactured at low cost using simple injection molding processes. While the loading unit is disposable, the reusable instrument body is secured through a reliable locking mechanism that ensures secure attachment during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking collar and annular ring utilize curved and rounded geometric features that distribute mechanical stresses evenly during attachment and detachment. The curved surfaces of the locking collar engage smoothly with the annular ring, ensuring reliable attachment without requiring high-stress concentrated points.
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
Enables the reuse of circular surgical stapling instruments by providing a simple and cost-effective mechanism for securing and releasing the cartridge, enhancing the instrument's utility and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible tab is resilient and is positioned to urge the locking collar to the locked configuration
Implementation Method 2
The lock may have a longitudinal cam surface and a radial cam surface. The radial cam surface may be positioned to engage the annular ring to move the lock outward in response to rotation of the body of the locking collar in relation to the annular ring towards the unlocked configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A loading unit includes a shell assembly and a locking collar. The shell assembly has an annular ring that defines a locking slot and a proximal opening. The proximal opening configured to receive a distal end portion of the surgical instrument. The locking collar is rotatably disposed about the annular ring. The locking collar has a body including a flexible tab that has an inwardly extending lock. The locking collar is moveable about the annular ring between a locked and unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, the lock passes through the locking slot and into the proximal opening of the annular ring. In the unlocked configuration, the body of the locking collar is rotated about the annular ring from the locked configuration to move the lock from within the proximal opening.