Segmented Surgical Blade Assembly for Stapler Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers with rigid blade assemblies face challenges in articulation and flexibility, limiting access to tissue and efficiency in cutting stapled tissue.
Innovation Solution
A blade assembly design featuring an I-beam with mechanically coupled inner and outer leaves, allowing for greater flexibility and articulation, facilitated by a mechanical interlock that permits the inner leaves to move out of alignment with the longitudinal axis, enhancing the blade's ability to cut and staple tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid blade assembly is used, then structural strength is maintained, but articulation flexibility and tissue access are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is divided into multiple leaves (at least two leaves) that are coupled to the I-beam, creating a segmented structure. This segmentation allows each leaf to move independently, providing articulation flexibility while maintaining overall structural integrity through the I-beam connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly transitions from a rigid, fixed structure to a dynamic, movable structure. The leaves are designed to move relative to the I-beam and to each other, enabling the blade to articulate and adapt to different tissue configurations while maintaining strength through controlled movement.
2Length of moving object
If a rigid blade assembly is used, then cutting stability is maintained, but access to tissue in confined spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented leaf structure allows the blade to navigate confined spaces by articulating between leaves, extending its effective reach while maintaining the ability to access difficult-to-reach tissue areas that would be inaccessible to a rigid blade of the same length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all leaves are welded or secured to the I-beam, then structural rigidity is maintained, but flexibility and articulation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into multiple independent leaf-Ibeam connections rather than a single rigid connection. This allows each leaf to be coupled independently, providing flexibility while distributing the structural requirements across multiple simple coupling points rather than one complex rigid connection.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes apparatuses for a surgical reloadable cartridge assembly. An example apparatus includes a blade assembly which comprises leaves and an I-beam. In an example there are two outer leaves and at least one inner leaf. The two outer leaves are connected to the I-beam. The at least one inner leaf is not connected to the outer leaves and is connected to the I-beam with a connection that allows the at least one inner leaf to move relative to the I-beam while not being pulled away from the I-beam when tension is applied to the at least one inner leaf.