Small-Diameter Surgical Stapler With Nested Anvil Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices are too large to be inserted through small diameter cannulas, such as a 5 mm cannula, limiting their use in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with a cartridge assembly and an anvil pivotally supported via a floating pivot member, allowing the anvil to be positioned in a 'parked' state for insertion through a small cannula, and featuring a drive member with radially extending members to pivot between closed and open positions for stapling and dissecting tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional surgical stapling devices are used, then effective suturing and dissection of tissue can be achieved, but the device diameter is too large to be inserted through small diameter cannulas
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a cartridge assembly containing staples and a knife, an anvil assembly for shaping staples, and a drive member. These modules can be collapsed relative to each other to reduce overall diameter for cannula insertion, then deployed for surgical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil assembly is positioned within the cartridge assembly in a nested configuration during insertion, allowing the device to pass through small diameter cannulas. The anvil can then be deployed outward to engage with the cartridge for stapling and dissection operations.
2Volume of moving object
If the device is miniaturized to fit through small cannulas, then insertion is enabled, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates movable and adjustable components including a biasing member that urges the anvil assembly into engagement with the cartridge assembly, and a drive member that can translate to eject staples and actuate the knife. These dynamic elements allow compact storage and functional deployment without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive member serves multiple functions: it translates to eject staples from the cartridge, actuates the knife for tissue dissection, and controls the deployment of the anvil assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, managing device complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the anvil is positioned in engagement with the cartridge assembly, then the device diameter is minimized for cannula insertion, but the device cannot perform stapling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil assembly is designed to be movable relative to the cartridge assembly through a biasing member. During insertion, the anvil is retracted to minimize diameter; during operation, the biasing member urges the anvil into engagement with the cartridge to enable stapling, and the drive member can actuate the knife for dissection.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes an outer tube having a proximal body portion and a distal channel portion. A distal end of the proximal body portion defines a pair of cutouts. An anvil assembly includes an anvil body defining a tissue contact surface and a pair of pivot members which are supported within the cutouts. A staple cartridge is supported in the distal channel portion of the outer tube and defines a tissue contact surface. The cutouts are dimensioned to allow movement of the pivot members within the cutouts to allow the tissue contact surface of the anvil body to move in relation to the tissue contact surface of the staple cartridge from a “parked position” in which the tissue contact surfaces are in juxtaposed engagement to a “clamped position” in which the tissue contact surfaces defining a tissue gap. A drive member is provided that is formed from sheet metal and includes upper and lower extending members that are positioned to engage the anvil body and the distal channel portion to define a maximum tissue gap between the tissue contact surfaces of the anvil body and the staple cartridge.