Staple Cartridge Extensions for Consistent Stapling in Variable Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently forming and deploying staples in tissue with varying thicknesses and ensuring consistent staple formation across multiple rows, particularly when dealing with complex tissue structures.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of staple cartridges with diverse configurations, including ridges, projections, and flexible materials, which enhance staple deployment and tissue engagement, along with adjustable anvil projections and deployable tissue engaging members, to accommodate varying tissue thickness and improve staple formation consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional staple cartridges are used, then the structure is simple, but staple formation consistency varies with tissue thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge deck includes varying thickness regions (thinner distal portion, thicker proximal portion) and structural features (ridges, recesses, protrusions) at different locations to accommodate varying tissue thicknesses. This local variation in structural properties enables consistent staple formation across different tissue depths without requiring a completely complex overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge deck is designed with flexible portions that can deform under compression forces during stapling. This dynamic behavior allows the deck to adapt to different tissue thicknesses and compression levels, maintaining staple formation consistency while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If uniform cartridge deck thickness is used, then manufacturing is easy, but tissue engagement is insufficient for varying tissue thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge deck features localized thickness variations and structural modifications (ridges, recesses, protrusions) at specific regions to engage different tissue thicknesses. This approach provides adaptability where needed while maintaining simpler uniform sections, balancing manufacturing ease with functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge deck is segmented into different functional zones (thinner distal portion for tissue engagement, thicker proximal portion for structural support, intermediate portions with varying features). This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through modular design.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple staple rows are deployed, then stapling coverage is improved, but staple formation consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge deck includes laterally spaced rows of staple cavities with varying local features (ridges, recesses, protrusions) at different positions. Each row can be independently optimized for its specific location and tissue engagement requirements, maintaining consistent staple formation across multiple rows while providing broad stapling coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.