Stapler Anvil Pocket Layout for Compression and Leak Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face a challenge in achieving a balance between tight tissue compression and optimal leak path resistance, with 2D staples providing tight compression but sub-optimal leak resistance, and 3D staples offering improved leak resistance but loose tissue compression.
Innovation Solution
The surgical stapler incorporates an anvil jaw with staple forming pockets that vary laterally in orientation, featuring three rows of staple forming pockets with unique geometries to form staples with varying configurations, including 2D and 3D shapes, to achieve balanced tissue compression and leak resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If 2D staple configuration is used, then tissue compression is tight, but leak path resistance is sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil incorporates multiple rows of staple forming pockets with different geometries: inner rows form 2D staples for tight tissue compression, while outer rows form 3D staples for improved leak path resistance. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between compression and leak resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple forming surface is segmented into multiple rows with distinct pocket geometries. The inner rows create 2D configured staples while outer rows create 3D configured staples, dividing the single stapling function into specialized sub-functions that collectively resolve the performance contradiction.
2Reliability
If 3D staple configuration is used, then leak path resistance is improved, but tissue compression is loose
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil design places 3D staple forming pockets in outer rows to maximize leak path resistance at the periphery, while 2D staple forming pockets in inner rows provide tight compression at the center. This spatial distribution of qualities resolves the contradiction by assigning each staple type to its optimal location.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil features asymmetric pocket geometries across different rows, with inner row pockets optimized for 2D staple formation and outer row pockets optimized for 3D staple formation. This asymmetry enables differentiated performance characteristics across the staple array, resolving the compression-resistance trade-off.
3Reliability
If multiple rows of staple forming pockets with varying geometries are used, then both tissue compression and leak path resistance are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil serves multiple functions through its multi-row pocket structure: it simultaneously forms both 2D and 3D configured staples in a single stapling action, providing both compression and leak resistance. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple performance requirements into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of forming different staple configurations into a single anvil component with multiple pocket types. By combining 2D and 3D staple formation capabilities in one anvil, the design achieves comprehensive sealing performance without requiring multiple separate stapling devices or steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a jaw body, an anvil surface defined by the jaw hod, and an elongate s'ot extending through the anvil surface and along a ongitudinai axis of the jaw body. The apparatus further includes a first longitudinal row of staple forming pockets disposed on the anvil surface and configured to form a pharality of first staples such that first legs of each formed first staple are laterally aligned with each other. The apparatus also includes a second longitudinal row of staple forming pockets disposed on the anvil surface haterali outwardly of the first longitudinal row of staple forming pockets relative to the longitudinal axis, and configured to form a plurality of second stapes such that second legs of each formed second staple skew ateraUv away from a second crown of the respective formed second staple.