Staple Forming Pockets for Surgical Stapling Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers used in endoscopic procedures lack efficient mechanisms for articulation and motorized control, which limits their precision and effectiveness in navigating complex tissue structures and performing consistent stapling and cutting actions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an articulating surgical stapling instrument with a motorized drive system, featuring an E-beam firing mechanism and advanced staple forming pockets, allows for precise articulation and controlled stapling and cutting, enabling better tissue engagement and hemostasis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical staplers are used in endoscopic procedures, then a smaller incision may reduce post-operative recovery time and complications, but the instrument lacks efficient mechanisms for articulation and motorized control which limits precision and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is divided into multiple staple forming pockets with distinct configurations (e.g., pockets 210, 310, 410, 510 with varying channel depths, wall angles, and geometries). Each pocket segment is optimized for specific staple formation requirements, enabling precise tissue engagement and consistent stapling across different tissue types and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument incorporates an articulating end effector that can dynamically adjust its orientation relative to the shaft's longitudinal axis. This dynamic articulation capability allows the stapler to navigate complex tissue structures and maintain precise positioning during surgical procedures, overcoming the limitation of fixed-orientation traditional staplers.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical staplers are used, then the instrument structure is simpler, but precision and consistency in stapling and cutting actions are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different staple forming pockets are designed with locally optimized qualities including varying channel depths, wall angles, and geometries. For example, pockets 210, 310, 410, and 510 feature distinct configurations tailored to specific stapling requirements, enabling precise control over staple formation and tissue compression at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil incorporates multiple staple forming pockets with systematically varied parameters including channel depth, wall angle, and pocket geometry. These parameter changes across different pockets (e.g., comparing pocket 210 to pocket 510) enable the instrument to achieve consistent stapling results across diverse tissue types and procedural requirements.
3Productivity
If surgical staplers lack motorized control, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but effectiveness in navigating complex tissue structures and performing consistent actions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument replaces manual mechanical operation with a motorized drive system that provides automated control over articulation and stapling actions. This substitution enables more precise and consistent performance of surgical tasks, improving productivity while reducing reliance on manual dexterity alone.
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector for a surgical instrument comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw and is configured to provide an anvil for forming staples. The anvil has staple forming pockets. Each staple forming pocket comprises first and second staple forming surface regions configured to receive respective first and second staple legs. The first and second staple forming surface regions each have a respective length that is greater than half of the length of the staple forming pocket. The staple forming surface regions may include convex surfaces that drive staple legs laterally. The pocket minimizes re-entry of staple leg tips into tissue.