Segmented Endoscopic Fastener for Independent Tissue Layer Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic stapling devices often puncture or grasp tissue from the interior of hollow organs, risking damage to external organs and failing to allow independent exposure and fastening of tissue segments, leading to increased surgery time and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A material-joining device with a fastener having two segments, each with a securing mechanism, and a connection portion, allowing independent exposure and embedding of each segment, with hooks and a holding mechanism for secure attachment and potential energy storage to facilitate perpendicular extension and secure tissue engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tissue is grasped or punctured from the interior of the stomach, then the device can be operated endoscopically, but the risk of damaging external organs increases and the exterior layer cannot be safely accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into two separate segments: a first segment for engaging the interior layer and a second segment for engaging the exterior layer. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently deployed and secured, enabling the device to access the exterior layer safely through a posterior approach while maintaining endoscopic operability from the interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a dual-directional approach where the second segment of the fastener is deployed in the posterior direction (opposite to the forward direction of the tubular member) to engage the exterior layer. This inverted deployment direction allows safe access to the exterior layer without requiring direct puncture from the interior, thereby reducing the risk of organ damage.
2Productivity
If both segments of the fastener are exposed and fasten tissue simultaneously, then the fastening process is completed in one step, but independent exposure and fastening of each segment is not possible, increasing surgery time
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that allow the operator to independently deploy and secure each segment of the fastener. The first segment can be exposed and secured to the interior layer, followed by independent exposure and securing of the second segment to the exterior layer. This dynamic, sequential control optimizes the balance between fastening speed and surgical precision, reducing overall surgery time.
3Reliability
If the mucosal layer is grasped directly from the interior, then tissue can be secured, but the thick, loose, and slippery nature of the layer makes it difficult to grasp and increases puncture risk
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fastener into two distinct parts, the device can engage different tissue layers separately. The first segment is designed to engage the slippery mucosal layer from the interior, while the second segment engages the exterior layer from the posterior direction, where tissue is easier to grasp. This segmentation overcomes the difficulty of grasping the mucosal layer by distributing the grasping function across two segments with different engagement strategies.
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 safer and more efficient tissue fastening by allowing initial grasping or puncturing on the exterior layer, reducing the risk of external organ damage and enabling independent exposure and embedding of tissue segments, thereby reducing surgery time and improving patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second segments are configured to extend in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of extension of the tubular member when the connection portion is caused to store potential energy
Data Source
AI summary
A material-fastening device and related fastener and methods for use, and more particularly, a device with segments of the fastener capable of being independently attached to different sides of a gap in the material.