Segmented Surgical Stapler Body for 8 mm Trocar Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for surgical staplers with small diameter endoscopic portions to minimize patient trauma during endoscopic surgical procedures, particularly in pediatric and thoracic surgeries, where existing staplers may not efficiently fit through small incisions or cannulas.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapler design featuring a body portion with a large diameter for housing components and a small diameter portion for insertion through an 8 mm trocar, including an actuation device, stapler reload, and lockout assembly to prevent unintended movement of the drive assembly, ensuring secure stapling and minimizing tissue trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the endoscopic portion is made with small diameter to pass through 8 mm trocar, then patient trauma is minimized and minimally invasive access is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to compact component integration
Solution Approach 1:
The body portion is segmented into a large diameter portion for housing components and a small diameter portion for insertion through the trocar, allowing the device to maintain functional complexity while minimizing the insertion profile to reduce patient trauma
Solution Approach 2:
The drive assembly, tool assembly, and other components are nested within the elongated body in a compact arrangement, enabling all necessary functions to be contained within the small diameter endoscopic portion that passes through the 8 mm trocar
2Volume of moving object
If the body portion is designed with large diameter for housing components, then component accommodation is improved, but the ability to pass through small diameter trocar is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The body portion is divided into a large diameter portion that houses the drive assembly and other components, and a small diameter endoscopic portion that passes through the trocar, allowing the device to have sufficient volume for components while maintaining a small insertion profile
Solution Approach 2:
The body portion transitions from a large diameter configuration to a small diameter configuration along its length, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to accommodate components in the larger section while maintaining minimal diameter in the insertion section
3Reliability
If the shipping lock is added to prevent longitudinal movement of drive assembly, then device reliability is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced due to additional locking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The shipping lock is pre-configured in the engaged position to prevent accidental movement of the drive assembly during loading and transport, and is designed to be easily disengaged by the operator when ready for use, providing preliminary protection without compromising ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapler includes a body portion and a tool assembly. The body portion includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion extending distally from the large diameter portion. The large diameter portion supports larger internal components of the device including a lockout assembly adapted to prevent refiring of the stapler to allow the diameter of the small diameter portion of the device to be minimized to facilitate passage of the small diameter portion of the stapler and the tool assembly through an 8 mm trocar.