Surgical Stapler with Integrated Anvil Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling devices require additional endoscopy procedures to verify the integrity of anastomosis, which increases cost and time, and there is a need for a quicker and less expensive method to perform anastomosis procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with an integrated visualization device that extends through the stapling device to facilitate visualization of tissue surrounding the anvil assembly, allowing for real-time inspection of the anastomotic site without the need for a separate endoscopy procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate endoscopy procedure is performed to verify anastomosis integrity, then the reliability of leak detection is improved, but the loss of time and additional cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the visualization function with the stapling device by integrating an endoscope through the anvil assembly. This merging allows the surgeon to perform both stapling and visualization through a single integrated device, eliminating the need for a separate endoscopy procedure while maintaining reliable leak detection capability.
2Reliability
If a separate endoscopy procedure is performed to verify anastomosis integrity, then the reliability of leak detection is improved, but the additional cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the endoscope within the stapling device allows a single procedure to accomplish both tissue stapling and leak detection. This eliminates the need for separate endoscopy equipment and procedural costs, thereby reducing the overall quantity of resources required while maintaining reliable leak detection.
3Ease of operation
If the visualization device extends through the anvil assembly, then the ease of operation for real-time inspection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is nested within the anvil assembly structure, passing through the through-bore of the anvil. This nesting approach allows the visualization device to be housed within the existing stapling device architecture, providing real-time inspection capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through space-efficient integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes a visualization device that extends through a body of the stapling device to facilitate visualization of tissue that surrounds an end effector of the stapling device. An anvil assembly of the surgical stapling device is adapted to facilitate passage of the visualization device through the anvil assembly.