Staple Cartridge Sled Detection With Knife Bar Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices lack a reliable mechanism to detect the absence of an actuation sled in the tool assembly, which can lead to unintended tissue cutting without stapling, posing a risk to patients.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a resilient locking member and ramp surface mechanism that interacts with the knife bar to prevent its advancement when the actuation sled is absent, and the use of detection devices like shipping wedges that prevent assembly use or provide visual indicators for sled presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple checks are provided during manufacturing to confirm sled presence, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient locking member is pre-configured in a locked position that blocks knife bar advancement before the device is used. This preliminary action ensures that the sled presence is verified in advance through the mechanical interlock, eliminating the need for complex post-manufacturing detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the knife bar and the sled. It transfers the presence information of the sled into a mechanical state (locked or unlocked) that directly controls knife bar movement, providing a simple and reliable detection mechanism.
2Reliability
If a resilient locking member with ramp surface mechanism is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient locking member incorporates a ramp surface that converts the linear motion of the knife bar into rotational motion of the locking member. This dynamic mechanism automatically transitions the locking member from a blocked position to an unblocked position when the sled is present, providing reliable detection through mechanical motion transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking member changes its positional parameter (from blocked to unblocked) in response to the presence or absence of the sled. This parameter change is achieved through the ramp surface mechanism that converts mechanical force into positional displacement, providing a clear binary state for reliability verification.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the resilient finger obstructs knife bar movement when sled is absent, then safety is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient locking member applies a preliminary counter-action by positioning the resilient finger to block knife bar advancement before any cutting operation can occur. This preventive measure ensures that if the sled is absent, the knife bar cannot advance, thereby preventing harmful unintended tissue cutting before it can happen.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient finger's obstruction of knife bar movement, which initially appears to complicate operation, actually converts a potential harmful situation (knife bar advancing without sled) into a beneficial safety feature. The mechanical blockage transforms the operational complexity into a protective mechanism that prevents tissue damage.
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
Ensures the presence of an actuation sled is verified before device use, preventing unintended tissue cutting and providing clear indications for discarding assemblies without a sled, thereby enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient locking member that includes a base that is secured to the channel of the cartridge assembly and includes a resilient finger that extends proximally from the base
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cartridge assembly comprising a channel including side walls and a bottom wall that define a cavity, the bottom wall defining a first knife slot that extends longitudinally through the bottom wall a staple cartridge positioned within the cavity of the channel, the staple cartridge having a body, staples, and an actuation sled, the body defining staple receiving slots and a second knife slot, the staples received within the staple receiving slots, the actuation sled movable through the body from a sled retracted position to a sled advanced position to eject the staples from the staple cartridge, the actuation sled including a ramp member that extends through the first knife slot of the channel and a locking member supported on the channel and including a finger that extends across the first knife slot, the finger being movable from a first position engaged with an outer surface of the channel to a second position spaced from the outer surface of the channel, wherein movement of the actuation sled from the sled retracted position towards the sled advanced position moves the ramp member into engagement with the finger to move the finger from the first position to the second position.