Staple Array Angular Orientation for Driver Roll Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face challenges in achieving optimal tissue compression and staple alignment, particularly when using obliquely-oriented staples, which can lead to misfiring and jamming issues.
Innovation Solution
The surgical stapling assembly features a fastener cartridge with staple cavities arranged in multiple rows at different angular orientations, supported by triple drivers with cradles oriented at corresponding angles, and an anvil with forming pockets aligned to deform staples into planar and non-planar configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If obliquely-oriented staples are used to provide longitudinal flexibility to stapled tissue, then tissue flexibility is improved, but misfiring and jamming issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is divided into multiple columns (first, second, third columns) with cradles arranged at different angular orientations. Each column independently supports staples at specific angles, allowing the system to provide tissue flexibility through angular variation while maintaining reliable firing through segmented, specialized support structures for each staple orientation
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the driver are configured with different angular orientations to match the specific requirements of different staple rows. The first column supports staples at a first angular orientation, the second column at a second orientation, and the third column at a third orientation, with each portion optimized for its local function while collectively ensuring reliable operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rows of staples at different angular orientations are used, then tissue flexibility and compression are improved, but driver alignment and firing reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is segmented into multiple columns with cradles at different angular orientations, with each column independently supporting staples at specific angles. This segmentation allows each portion to be precisely aligned for its specific angular requirement while maintaining overall driver alignment and firing reliability through the coordinated arrangement of all columns
Solution Approach 2:
The driver employs asymmetric cradle orientations where the first column has cradles at a first angular orientation, the second column at a second orientation, and the third column at a third orientation. This asymmetric configuration matches the asymmetric requirements of different tissue regions, enabling optimized compression and flexibility while maintaining reliable firing through precise alignment of each asymmetric portion
3Productivity
If a compact staple array is used to improve efficiency, then productivity is improved, but staple alignment and tissue compression quality worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The driver utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with cradles positioned at different angular orientations across multiple columns. This dimensional approach allows compact packaging of multiple staple rows while maintaining precise alignment of each row through its specific angular orientation, achieving both compact efficiency and alignment quality simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Each column of cradles is locally optimized for its specific angular orientation and staple row requirements. The first column is optimized for the first angular orientation, the second column for the second orientation, and the third column for the third orientation, allowing each local portion to achieve precise alignment while the overall compact array maintains high productivity
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The assembly can include a cartridge body having cavities defined therein forming a pattern of openings in the deck of the cartridge body. The pattern can include longitudinally-repeating clusters of cavity ends. The assembly can also include fasteners removably positioned in the cavities. The pattern of openings can comprise openings on a first side of the cartridge body comprising inner openings each defining an inner proximal-to-distal axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, outer openings each defining an outer proximal-to-distal axis obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis at an outer angle, and intermediate openings each defining an intermediate proximal-to-distal axis obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis at an intermediate angle, wherein the intermediate angle is different than the outer angle. The assembly can include a sled having offset ramps and/or an anvil comprising an arrangement of forming pockets proximal to the tissue stop.