Circular Stapler Automatic Safety Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical staplers with manual safety mechanisms are prone to mis-actuation and second actuation errors, particularly for less experienced surgeons, due to the need for manual release and complex assembly, which can lead to incomplete or improper stapling results.

Innovation Solution

A circular stapler with an automatic safety mechanism featuring a safety rod and pulling sheet, where the safety rod is pivotally connected with a restoring spring and a stopper, allowing automatic engagement and disengagement to prevent unintended actuations, ensuring the stapler remains locked until the actuatable position is reached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a manual safety device is used, then the doctor can control when actuation is permitted, but the device is prone to mis-actuation and human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical safetyVSAvoidmanual release requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The safety device automatically releases when the stapler head reaches the correct position, eliminating the need for manual release by the doctor. The system self-regulates based on positional feedback, preventing human error while maintaining surgical control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The safety device incorporates automatic feedback mechanisms that detect when the stapler head has reached the actuatable position, triggering automatic release only at the correct surgical position, thereby preventing mis-actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a complex automatic safety device is used, then second actuation is prevented, but the assembly becomes too complex and difficult to reset

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of second actuationVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple safety functions (preventing second actuation, automatic release, positional control) are merged into a single integrated safety device mechanism, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining comprehensive safety functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety device is designed to be easily reset after use, with components that can be quickly recovered and reused, simplifying the reset process compared to complex prior art designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the safety device props against the screw rod, then the safety function is achieved, but the screw rod can be easily bent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety locking functionVSAvoidscrew rod integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The safety device is extracted from dependence on the screw rod for its locking function, using a separate structural support system that prevents the screw rod from bearing lateral loads that could cause bending

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary structural element is introduced between the safety device and the screw rod, allowing the safety function to be achieved without direct contact between the safety device and screw rod, thereby preventing bending

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the spring is disposed outside the stapler body, then the safety device can be reset automatically, but the risk of clamping tissues increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic resetVSAvoidtissue clamping risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restoring spring is nested inside the stapler body structure, concealed within the housing or internal mechanisms, eliminating external exposure that could lead to tissue clamping while maintaining the automatic reset function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 automatic safety mechanism enhances surgical safety and reliability by preventing mis-actuations and second actuations, allowing for more precise and efficient surgical procedures with fewer parts and simpler assembly compared to prior art.

Implementation Method 1

a restoring spring is provided so as to connect the safety rod with the stapler body, the safety rod is driven by the biased spring to get reset by rotating anticlockwise around the cylindrical pin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1964523B1A tubular stapler with an automatic safety mechanism

Publication Date: 2017.03.29 TOUCHSTONE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCE CO LTD

AI summary

A circular stapler with an automatic safety mechanism comprises a stapler body, a stapler head, an actuating mechanism and a transmission adjusting mechanism; wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a handle (1) and a handle coat (2), the transmission adjusting mechanism comprises a screw rod (4) and an adjusting knob (6); a stopper (8) is disposed either inside said handle (1) or said handle coat (2); a safety rod (3) and a pulling sheet (5) are further provided, the safety rod (3) has a safety block (13) on one end and has a protruding block (14) and a pin hole as its middle portion, a cylindrical pin is inserted into the pin hole so as to get the safety rod (3) to be pivotally connected with the stapler body; the pulling sheet (5) has a rear portion (9) mounted on the screw rod (4) and has a pulling hook (10) at its front portion, the pulling hook (10) hooks with a protruding block (14) which is the middle portion of the safety rod (3).