Shaftless Surgical End Effector for Minimally Invasive Stapling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical instruments with shafts can be cumbersome and limit the precision and flexibility needed for minimally invasive procedures, as they require drive members extending through the shaft to operate the end effector, which can restrict movement and access.
Innovation Solution
A shaftless surgical system with a trocar and end effector that includes a first jaw member with an anvil and a second jaw member with a staple cartridge, where the anvil is driven into the cartridge to form staples without the need for a shaft, utilizing a closure system with proximal and distal slides and cams to maintain parallel orientation and adjust staple formation height, and optionally includes a cutting member for tissue incision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shaft-driven mechanism is used to operate the end effector, then the structural support and actuation are provided, but the device becomes cumbersome and limits precision and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shaft component from the surgical instrument system. The end effector is designed to be shaftless, with all actuation forces transmitted through a closure system that operates without requiring a shaft to extend through the instrument body. This extraction of the shaft eliminates the mechanical complexity and interference it caused with tissue manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional shaft-driven mechanical actuation system with a closure-based mechanical system. The closure system uses a closure member that moves between open and closed positions to actuate the end effector, substituting the shaft mechanism with this alternative mechanical approach that provides the necessary actuation without the drawbacks of shaft penetration and movement restrictions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a shaft with drive members is used, then actuation is enabled, but movement and access are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is completely removed from the system, allowing the end effector to be inserted and manipulated without the constraint of a shaft passing through it. This enables greater freedom of movement and access to difficult-to-reach areas while maintaining precision through the closure-based actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system provides dynamic actuation capability, allowing the end effector to be opened and closed during the procedure. The closure member can transition between positions to actuate the end effector as needed, providing adaptability and versatility in movement and access without the restrictions imposed by a fixed shaft configuration.
3Productivity
If the anvil is driven into the cartridge, then staples are formed, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anvil and cartridge into a single integrated assembly that moves together as one unit. The closure member simultaneously actuates both the anvil and cartridge, merging their operation into a single coordinated action. This integration simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining efficient staple formation through the driven anvil-cartridge interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary actuation mechanism, controls the movement of both the anvil and cartridge, and coordinates the staple formation process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity in staple formation.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a shaftless end effector is disclosed. The end effector can comprise an anvil assembly including a staple forming surface. The end effector can also comprise a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge therein. The end effector can include a closure system configured to close the anvil. In various instances, the closure system can also form the staples contained within the staple cartridge. The end effector can also include a cutting member configured to cut tissue positioned intermediate the anvil and the staple cartridge. In various instances, the cutting member can be actuated by the closure system. In other instances, the end effector can include an independent system for actuating the cutting member. In various instances, the end effector can be delivered to a surgical site through a trocar and then operated by one or more actuators that are assembled to the end effector.