Surgical Staple Head With Rotatable Stop for Secondary-Firing Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical staplers risk accidental secondary firing if the staple cartridge is not replaced after initial use, leading to surgical failures due to the cutter cutting tissue without stapling.

Innovation Solution

A staple head with a stop member that rotates between a first state blocking the firing mechanism and a second state allowing firing, preventing accidental secondary firing by engaging and disengaging with the firing mechanism's blocking portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the staple cartridge is not replaced after initial use, then the surgeon can continue operating without interruption, but accidental secondary firing occurs causing surgical failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidfiring accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stop member is pre-positioned to block the firing mechanism's path before any accidental firing can occur. This preliminary blocking action prevents the harmful secondary firing from happening in the first place, allowing continuous operation without interruption while maintaining firing accuracy through the mechanical interlock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The stop member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the firing mechanism and the tissue. It mediates the firing process by selectively blocking or allowing the firing mechanism's movement, ensuring that only intentional firing (when the stop member is properly positioned) can occur while preventing accidental secondary firing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a stop member blocks the firing mechanism to prevent accidental firing, then safety is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental firing preventionVSAvoidstaple head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop member is merged with the connecting member that already exists in the staple head structure. By integrating the blocking function into an existing structural component rather than adding a completely separate mechanism, the patent prevents accidental firing while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting member serves multiple functions: it connects the first and second jaws and simultaneously provides the mounting structure for the stop member. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed, preventing accidental firing without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the stop member blocks the firing mechanism path, then accidental firing is prevented, but the firing mechanism cannot move toward the distal end

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiring controlVSAvoidfiring mechanism movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stop member is designed to be rotatable relative to the connecting member, transitioning between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. This dynamic capability allows the system to switch between preventing accidental firing and allowing intentional firing, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation through the rotational movement controlled by the driving member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The driving member, which is part of the firing mechanism itself, automatically actuates the stop member to rotate from the blocking to the non-blocking position during intentional firing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate controls, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable firing control through the automatic engagement of the stop member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents accidental secondary firing by ensuring the stapler only fires when the staple cartridge is ready, enhancing surgical precision and effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the stop member rotates relative to the connecting member in a first direction such that the first blocking portion moves away from a axial center of the stapler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250281179A1Staple head and surgical stapler

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 TOUCHSTONE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCE CO LTD

AI summary

A staple head includes a first jaw and a second jaw, a connecting member, a stop member and a firing mechanism. The connecting member is connected to proximal ends of the first jaw and the second jaw. The stop member is rotatably mounted on the connecting member and includes a first blocking portion. The firing mechanism is movable along an axial direction of the stapler and includes a second blocking portion. In a first state, the first blocking portion is located on a path where the second blocking portion moves in a direction toward a distal end side. When an external force is applied to the stop member, the stop member rotates relative to the connecting member in a first direction such that the first blocking portion moves in a direction away from an axial center of the stapler, the stop member enters a second state.