Rotating Actuator Knob for Surgical Stapler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments often require repositioning or forcing the actuator knob past surrounding tissue, which can impede advancement and increase surgery time due to the knob's design extending outwardly from the instrument.
Innovation Solution
The surgical stapling instrument features rotatable actuator knobs that can be selectively engaged or disengaged with a pusher bar, allowing one knob to remain retracted while the other advances, enabling the actuator knob to be moved between sides of the instrument without repositioning the entire device, thus minimizing interference with surrounding tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator knob extends outwardly from the stapling instrument to facilitate grasping and advancement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the surrounding tissue may impede the advancement of the actuator knob, increasing surgery time
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is divided into multiple actuator knobs (first actuator knob and second actuator knob) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows one knob to be used while the other remains retracted or positioned away from tissue, preventing interference while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator knobs are made movable between extended and retracted positions relative to the housing. This dynamic positioning allows the surgeon to adjust the knob configuration during surgery - extending a knob when needed for operation and retracting it when it might interfere with tissue, thereby reducing surgery time.
2Productivity
If the actuator knob is advanced distally to advance the pusher bar and knife blade assembly, then the productivity is improved, but the actuator knob may contact and impede advancement due to surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple actuator knobs provide separate control points for advancing the pusher bar. The surgeon can select which knob to use based on the surgical situation, allowing continuous productive advancement without interruption from tissue contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the actuator knobs is changed between extended and retracted states. By retracting a knob that would contact tissue and using the other knob instead, the system maintains smooth advancement and productivity without interruption.
3Productivity
If the actuator knob is forced past surrounding tissue to complete advancement, then the productivity is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates and surgery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is segmented into multiple independently positionable knobs, allowing the surgeon to avoid forcing any single knob past tissue by simply using a different knob that is positioned away from the tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator knobs can be dynamically repositioned between extended and retracted states. When one knob encounters tissue resistance, the surgeon can retract it and use the other knob, maintaining ease of operation and productivity without forcing.
4Ease of operation
If the stapling instrument must be repositioned to avoid tissue interference with the actuator knob, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the productivity decreases due to additional repositioning steps
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple actuator knobs provide alternative control points without requiring repositioning of the entire stapling instrument. The surgeon can simply switch between knobs, maintaining both ease of operation and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator knobs are dynamically repositionable independently of the instrument body. This allows the surgeon to adjust knob positions to avoid tissue interference without moving the instrument, thereby maintaining surgical efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling instrument including an actuator knob which can be moved from one side of the stapling instrument to another side in order to reposition the actuator knob without having to reposition the stapling instrument within a surgical site. A stapling instrument can include a pusher bar, a housing having a first side and a second side, and an actuator knob rotatably mounted to the pusher bar wherein the actuator knob can be configured to be rotated between a first position in which the actuator knob can be moved along the first side of the housing and a second position where the actuator knob can be moved along a second side of the housing. Alternatively, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise one or more actuator knobs which can be operably engaged and disengaged with a pusher bar in order to selectively utilize the actuator knobs.