Staple Cartridge Assembly with Support and Sled Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently assembling and deploying staple cartridges, particularly in transferring forces effectively to staple cartridges during the firing process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves attaching a pan to a cartridge body, positioning staples in staple cavities, and using a support and sled mechanism within a longitudinal slot to transfer forces and drive staple deployment during the firing stroke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support mechanism is added to transfer forces to the staple cartridge assembly, then the reliability of staple deployment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the sled and the staple cartridge assembly. This support member receives forces from the sled during the firing stroke and transfers them to the staple cartridge assembly, ensuring reliable staple deployment while maintaining a modular and manageable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transfer mechanism is segmented into distinct components: the sled that generates force, the support member that transmits force, and the staple cartridge assembly that receives force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design and assembly process.
2Productivity
If a longitudinally-slideable support and sled mechanism is implemented, then the effectiveness of staple deployment is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member and sled are designed to be longitudinally slideable within the cartridge body, allowing dynamic movement during the firing process. This dynamic design enables effective force transmission and staple deployment while maintaining a relatively simple assembly structure that can be manufactured using standard techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a staple cartridge is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method comprises attaching a pan to a cartridge body, the cartridge body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a deck, longitudinal rows of staple cavities extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The method further comprises positioning staples in the staple cavities, positioning a support in the longitudinal slot such that an end of the support extends above the deck, and positioning a sled in the cartridge body proximal to the support such that the sled is longitudinally aligned with the support.