Surgical Stapler Articulation Joint Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laparoscopic surgical staplers have complex articulation mechanisms that increase manufacturing burdens, potential for device failure, and user confusion, while simplifying reliable articulation of the jaw assembly for tissue stapling is desired.

Innovation Solution

A surgical stapler with an articulation joint that includes a pivot pin with a wedge profile, an alignment spring, and a latch mechanism, allowing the jaw assembly to be pivotable and securely locked relative to the elongate shaft, with a handle assembly featuring an articulation latch lever for easy control between latched and unlatched configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If complex mechanical or electro-mechanical articulation mechanisms are used to allow user control of jaw assembly articulation, then user control capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control capabilityVSAvoidarticulation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex control mechanism from the handle assembly and extracts only the essential articulation function, allowing the jaw assembly to articulate passively in response to external forces applied during surgery, eliminating the need for complex mechanical or electro-mechanical control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The jaw assembly articulates automatically in response to external forces applied during the surgical procedure, without requiring active control from the user through complex mechanisms. The system serves itself by utilizing the natural forces applied during tissue manipulation to achieve the desired articulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex articulation mechanisms are used to enable jaw assembly articulation, then articulation functionality is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential sources for device failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation functionalityVSAvoiddevice failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the complex control mechanisms that connect the handle assembly to the articulation joint, the patent eliminates multiple potential failure points while retaining the essential articulation functionality through passive mechanical response to external forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using active control mechanisms to force articulation, the patent inverts the approach by allowing external forces applied during surgery to naturally induce articulation, converting a control problem into a passive mechanical response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If complex articulation mechanisms are used to allow jaw assembly articulation, then articulation control is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens due to increased manufacturing burdens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation controlVSAvoidmanufacturing burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the articulation control function from the handle assembly and implements it through simple passive mechanical elements at the articulation joint, dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining articulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of manufacturing complex control mechanisms in the handle assembly, the patent inverts the approach by implementing articulation control through simple passive mechanical elements that respond to external forces, greatly simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The solution simplifies the articulation mechanism, reducing complexity and potential for failure, while enabling reliable and flexible positioning of the jaw assembly for effective tissue stapling, enhancing user control and reducing manufacturing burdens.

Implementation Method 1

The alignment spring spans the wedge profile of the pivot pin. The alignment spring biases the jaw axis into alignment with the longitudinal axis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pivot pin has a wedge profile. The alignment spring spans the wedge profile of the pivot pin.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Data Source

PatentUS11357504B2Surgical stapler having locking articulation joint

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 APPL MEDICAL RESOURCES CORP

AI summary

A laparoscopic surgical stapler can include an articulation joint between an elongate shaft and a jaw assembly. The articulation joint can include a latch mechanism allowing a user to selectively allow the jaw assembly to be freely pivotable with respect to the elongate shaft in an unlatched configuration and positionable in an aligned position or one of several predetermined articulated positions in a latched configuration. The latch mechanism of the articulation joint is biased to the latched configuration and is operable in a ‘push-to-release’ manner.