Surgical Stapler Bolster Tray Guide Channel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical staplers face challenges when used on fragile tissues, such as diseased lung tissue, as bare staples can easily tear through, necessitating a bolster material to prevent tissue tears during stapling procedures, but existing methods for applying bolster materials are prone to uneven application and misalignment, and liquid adhesives can cause complications.
Innovation Solution
A medical device and method for applying a bolster material to surgical staplers, featuring a tray with a guide channel, a compressible layer, and a peelable protective cover over an adhesive layer, ensuring proper alignment and secure attachment of the bolster material to the stapler arms, using a collagenous or synthetic material for reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid adhesive is applied to the bolster material to attach it to the surgical stapler, then the bolster material can be secured to the device, but the adhesive may run from the application site causing uneven application, misalignment, and interference with stapler operation
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is extracted from the liquid state and transformed into a solid pre-formed adhesive layer that is already attached to the bolster material in a controlled factory setting. This eliminates the running and uneven application problems associated with liquid adhesives applied during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer is applied to the bolster material in advance during manufacturing, before the bolster material reaches the surgical site. This preliminary action ensures precise, controlled application without the risks of liquid adhesive running or misaligning during the surgical procedure.
2Device complexity
If the bolster material is applied without a guide structure, then the application process is simpler, but the bolster material may be misaligned with the surgical stapler arm
Solution Approach 1:
A guide channel is introduced as an intermediary structure between the bolster material and the surgical stapler arm. This guide channel receives and positions the bolster material, ensuring precise alignment with the stapler arm while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Productivity
If the adhesive layer is exposed without protection during loading, then the loading process is faster, but the adhesive may be contaminated or applied incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover is applied to the adhesive layer in advance during manufacturing, protecting it from contamination while the bolster material is being loaded onto the surgical stapler. This preliminary protection ensures adhesive quality without significantly slowing the loading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover provides localized protection only to the adhesive layer where needed, without interfering with the loading process. The cover can be easily removed or torn away to expose the adhesive layer for attachment to the stapler arm.
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 provides a secure, evenly applied bolster material that effectively prevents staple lines from tearing through fragile tissues, enhancing the integrity of the stapled seam and reducing complications associated with adhesive application.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive layer on the bolster material and configured to adhere the bolster material to the stapler
Data Source
AI summary
In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides devices for loading a surgical bolster material. In accordance with some forms, the device includes a tray defining a guide channel for receipt of a bolster material. The guide channel may be configured to align and/or direct the device onto which the bolster material is to be loaded onto the bolster material.