Small Diameter Surgical Stapling Cartridge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling devices are too large to fit through smaller diameter openings, such as a 5 mm cannula, limiting their use in endoscopic procedures where smaller instruments are required for effective suturing and tissue dissection.
Innovation Solution
A loading unit with a 5 mm diameter end effector that includes a staple cartridge and a sled mechanism for ejecting staples, where the staples have a thicker backspan acting as a pusher, allowing for smaller diameter cartridges and eliminating the need for traditional pushers, enabling the device to fit through a 5 mm opening while effectively suturing 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 tissue dissection can be achieved, but the device diameter is too large to fit through smaller openings such as a 5 mm cannula
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of a separate pusher component into the staple backspan itself. The backspan is configured with a pusher surface that directly contacts and propels the staple during ejection, eliminating the need for a distinct pusher mechanism. This integration reduces the overall device diameter while maintaining reliable staple deployment and suturing effectiveness.
2Volume of moving object
If the cartridge diameter is reduced to fit through a 5 mm opening, then the device can be used in endoscopic procedures, but the complexity of the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate pusher component from the stapling mechanism. By removing this redundant element and utilizing the staple backspan's inherent geometry to perform the pushing function, the mechanism complexity is reduced despite the reduced cartridge diameter, enabling endoscopic use with simplified mechanics.
3Volume of moving object
If traditional pushers are eliminated to reduce device size, then the cartridge diameter can be reduced, but the mechanism for ejecting staples must be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The staple backspan is designed to be self-sufficient by incorporating an integrated pusher surface that performs the ejection function without requiring a separate pusher component. The backspan's geometry automatically provides the necessary contact surface for staple propulsion, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining ease of operation and enabling reduced cartridge diameter for endoscopic applications.
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 efficient suturing and dissection of tissue through smaller openings, reducing patient trauma and improving procedural speed by allowing the device to be used in minimally invasive procedures without compromising the effectiveness of tissue joining and cutting.
Implementation Method 1
The lower jaw also includes a sled that is translatable through the cartridge such that the sled directly engages each staple to eject the staples from the cartridge and to drive the staples into an anvil
Implementation Method 2
The backspan includes a chamfered surface that is configured to engage the sled such that the sled is translated through the cartridge to eject the staples from the cartridge
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cartridge. The first cartridge includes a sled and the second jaw includes an anvil. The first and second jaws are moveable relative to one another. The cartridge is disposed on the first jaw and has a plurality of staples. The sled is configured to engage each staple to the plurality of staples to eject the plurality of staples from the cartridge as the sled is longitudinally translated through the cartridge. A loading unit is also disclosed including an elongated body and an end effector that is articulable relative to the end effector. The end effector and the elongated body of the loading unit are configured to pass or fit through a 5 mm opening.