Continuous Staple Strip Indexing for Auto-Reloading Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices require frequent reloading of staples during prolonged surgeries, necessitating a continuous supply of staples for uninterrupted use.
Innovation Solution
A continuous strip of corrugated paper with channels supporting staples is used, featuring indexing apertures that facilitate automatic reloading by engaging with a staple deformation element, ensuring a continuous supply of staples without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-loaded surgical staple strips are used in surgical stapling devices, then surgical procedures can be performed, but the staple strips are expensive and generate significant medical waste when not fully used
Solution Approach 1:
The staple strip is divided into multiple individual staples that can be loaded separately into the surgical stapling device. This allows the surgeon to load only the necessary number of staples needed for the procedure, rather than being forced to use a complete pre-loaded strip. The segmentation enables partial usage and disposal of only the consumed portion, reducing waste of expensive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable staple strip that can be partially used and then discarded. Rather than requiring expensive pre-loaded strips to be fully consumed or reused, the system allows for single-use staple strips that can be partially depleted. This approach makes the disposable component more cost-effective and reduces the environmental impact of medical waste by allowing surgeons to use only what is necessary.
2Reliability
If pre-loaded surgical staple strips are used, then surgical procedures can be performed, but the expensive staple strips create cost concerns for hospitals and insurance companies
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the staple strip into loadable individual staples, the system allows hospitals to purchase and store staple strips without immediately incurring the full cost of pre-loaded expensive strips. Hospitals can acquire cheaper staple strip components, load them into reusable devices as needed, and pay only for the staples actually consumed during procedures, thereby reducing overall costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a more cost-effective disposable staple strip that can be partially used. This replaces the need for expensive pre-loaded strips that must be fully utilized to be economical. The new system allows hospitals to purchase cheaper staple strips and only incur costs for the portion actually used, improving cost efficiency for healthcare providers and insurance companies.
3Ease of operation
If complete staple strips are loaded into the surgical stapling device, then the device can function, but any unused staples become medical waste
Solution Approach 1:
The staple strip is segmented into individually loadable staples, allowing surgeons to load only the exact number of staples needed for each procedure. This eliminates the waste of unused staples that occurs when complete pre-loaded strips are used, as surgeons can now load partial quantities. The device functionality is maintained while enabling precise control over staple consumption and reducing material waste.
4Reliability
If staple strips are designed for single use, then surgical procedures can be performed safely, but the expense and waste issues persist
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the staple strip into loadable individual staples allows for safe single-use procedures while reducing waste. Surgeons can load the precise number of staples needed for each procedure into a reusable device, maintaining surgical safety through proper sterilization of the device between uses. This eliminates the waste of unused portions of expensive pre-loaded strips while preserving the safety benefits of single-use staple configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A continuous strip of staples for use with a surgical stapling device includes an elongated stock of corrugated paper defining a plurality of channels therein. An inner facing side of each channel is configured to support a row of staples thereon and extending therealong and is configured to be slidingly received in a corresponding plurality of slots defined within a cartridge assembly of a stapling device for loading the staples therein. A plurality of indexing apertures is defined in the elongated stock and extends therealong. The plurality of indexing apertures is adapted to engage a staple deformation element of the cartridge assembly during retraction thereof to automatically reload one or more new rows of staples after actuation of the stapling device.