Stapler Adapter Assembly for Faster Loading Unit Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices with powered handles face challenges in efficiently replacing disposable or multiple-use loading units during procedures, as the process is often complex and time-consuming due to the need for transferring rotational motion into linear motion to actuate and articulate the loading units.
Innovation Solution
The surgical apparatus and adapter assembly incorporate a distal body portion with a drive gear and articulation assembly, including a flexible band and tensioning mechanism, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of loading units by converting rotational motion into longitudinal movement, facilitating the articulation and actuation of the loading units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a powered handle with adapter assembly is used to actuate loading units, then the surgical stapling device can perform stapling and cutting functions, but the replacement of loading units becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is divided into modular components including a proximal body portion, distal body portion, articulation joint, drive gear, and latch mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and optimized, simplifying the overall replacement process while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation joint enables the distal body portion to rotate relative to the proximal body portion, providing dynamic articulation capability. This dynamic feature allows the loading unit to be positioned at different angles during replacement, making the process more flexible and easier to perform without increasing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If the distal body portion is made longer to accommodate drive mechanisms, then the drive gear can be properly positioned, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive gear is positioned using a combination of longitudinal placement within the distal body portion and radial placement through the articulation joint mechanism. This multi-dimensional positioning approach allows the drive gear to be accurately positioned without simply extending the length of the distal body portion, thereby maintaining a compact overall device size while ensuring reliable drive engagement.
3Ease of operation
If the articulation joint includes multiple gears and a flexible band, then the distal body portion can articulate smoothly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible band acts as an intermediary element that transmits force between the drive gear and the distal body portion during articulation. This flexible connection allows for smooth articulation motion while simplifying the overall mechanism compared to rigid gear trains, as the flexible band naturally accommodates motion variations and reduces the need for additional complex components.
4Reliability
If the latch mechanism is made more secure with multiple engagement points, then the loading unit attachment reliability improves, but the attachment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is pre-configured with engagement features that automatically align with corresponding features on the loading unit during the attachment process. This preliminary alignment arrangement ensures that when the loading unit is inserted, the latch mechanism engages securely at multiple points simultaneously or in rapid sequence, providing reliable attachment without requiring multiple separate manual engagement steps, thus minimizing attachment time while maintaining security.
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
This design simplifies the replacement process of loading units, reducing procedural time and complexity by enabling efficient articulation and actuation, thereby improving the operational efficiency of surgical stapling devices.
Implementation Method 1
a drive gear disposed within the distal body portion. The drive gear may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
an articulation assembly for articulating the distal body portion relative to the proximal body portion. The articulation assembly includes a flexible band for moving the distal body portion relative to the proximal body portion
Implementation Method 3
The articulation assembly may include a tensioning mechanism for maintaining the flexible band in tension about the pivot member
Implementation Method 4
The loading unit may include a drive screw and the second drive gear may be disposed on a proximal end of the drive screw. Rotation of the drive screw may cause advancement of the drive beam to staple and cut tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical apparatus is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a proximal body portion, a distal body portion selectively articulable relative to the proximal body portion at an articulation joint, and a first drive gear disposed within the distal body portion. The distal body portion has a diameter and a length. The length of the distal body portion is substantially the same as the diameter of the distal body portion.