Staple Cartridge Offset Pin Layout for Gap-Free Tissue Stapling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers fail to align staples with staple forming pockets due to the retaining pin chute opening, leading to gaps in tissue stapling, which can cause bleeding, tissue fluid leakage, and delayed healing, especially when the tissue width exceeds the staple cartridge and anvil length.
Innovation Solution
A staple cartridge design with an offset retaining pin assembly and pin rod, allowing staple cavities to extend beyond the pin rod's center, ensuring complete stapling coverage and reducing the risk of bleeding and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retaining pin is centered relative to the longitudinal centerline of the staple cartridge, then the retaining pin assembly is stable and easy to manufacture, but the outermost staple cavity cannot cover the retaining pin chute opening area, creating a clearance and potential bleeding point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the retaining pin assembly from the longitudinal centerline of the staple cartridge. Specifically, the retaining pin is positioned in the longitudinal direction at a location that is not the center, allowing the outermost staple cavity to extend beyond the retaining pin chute opening. This asymmetric arrangement eliminates the clearance and ensures complete tissue coverage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized offset positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the retaining pin chute opening is arranged further outside relative to the outermost staple cavity opening, then the retaining pin can be easily positioned, but a clearance is formed between the staple line and the retaining pin area, leading to potential bleeding and tissue fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing an asymmetric offset of the retaining pin assembly. The retaining pin is positioned offset from the longitudinal centerline such that the outermost staple cavity opening extends beyond the retaining pin chute opening in the longitudinal direction. This eliminates the clearance that would otherwise exist between the staple line and retaining pin area, thereby preventing bleeding and tissue fluid leakage while maintaining ease of retaining pin positioning through the offset design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the retaining pin assembly at an offset location during manufacturing. This preliminary offset positioning ensures that when the stapler is assembled and used, the outermost staple cavity naturally extends beyond the retaining pin chute opening, eliminating clearances and preventing bleeding before the surgical procedure begins.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the width of the tissue to be stapled exceeds the length of the staple cartridge and anvil, then complete tissue coverage is required, but the retaining pin may squeeze or penetrate the tissue, creating gaps in stapling coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the retaining pin assembly from the longitudinal centerline of the staple cartridge. This offset positioning allows the outermost staple cavity to extend beyond the retaining pin chute opening in the longitudinal direction. When tissue width exceeds the staple cartridge length, this asymmetric arrangement ensures that staples are formed at the extreme edges of the tissue, maintaining reliable stapling coverage even for wide tissues while preventing the retaining pin from squeezing or penetrating the tissue in a way that would create gaps.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge body of a staple cartridge includes a tissue contact platform; a plurality of staple cavities; and a retaining pin assembly slidably arranged in an end of the cartridge body proximate to the outside. In the longitudinal direction of the staple cartridge, an outermost edge of an outermost staple cavity in at least one row of the staple cavities is aligned with or extends beyond a longitudinal axis of the pin rod. The A surgical stapler includes an anvil for causing staples in the staple cartridge formed and an anvil side retaining pin receiving hole for receiving a free end of a retaining pin assembly of the staple cartridge. An outermost edge of an outermost staple forming pocket in at least one row of the staple forming pockets is aligned with or extends beyond a center of the retaining pin receiving hole at the anvil side.