Surgical Stapler Bottom Guide Member for Complete Tissue Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices lack improved cutting capabilities at the bottom of the cartridge assembly, leading to incomplete tissue transection during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a bottom guide member in the end effector to confine tissue in the path of the cutting member, which can be either reusable or disposable, ensuring clean cutting of tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bottom guide member is added to the end effector to confine tissue in the path of the cutting member, then the cutting effectiveness and cleanliness of tissue transection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom guide member is positioned within the cartridge assembly structure, nesting the guiding function inside the existing end effector framework. This allows the guide member to be integrated into the cartridge body or support structure, adding the necessary tissue confinement capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through space-efficient design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bottom guide member is made reusable and supported on the end effector frame, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ease of repair and replacement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom guide member is designed as a separate, replaceable component that can be independently removed and replaced without affecting the entire end effector assembly. This segmentation allows the guide member to be manufactured separately at lower cost while maintaining ease of repair through simple replacement procedures when wear or damage occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom guide member is designed to be replaceable rather than permanently fixed, allowing it to be discarded after a certain number of uses or when damaged, and replaced with a new component. This approach balances manufacturing cost considerations with maintenance requirements, enabling cost-effective operation while maintaining repairability through standardized replacement procedures.
3Ease of repair
If the bottom guide member is made disposable and integrated with the cartridge module, then the ease of repair is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom guide member is integrated with the cartridge module as a unified disposable assembly. This merging of components simplifies the replacement process by allowing the entire cartridge module with its guide member to be replaced as a single unit, greatly improving ease of repair. The increased manufacturing cost is offset by the elimination of separate manufacturing processes and the ability to optimize the integrated design for mass production.
4Manufacturing precision
If the bottom guide member is positioned to interface with the cutting blade, then the cutting precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom guide member provides localized tissue guidance and confinement specifically at the critical cutting zone where the cutting blade interfaces with tissue. This local quality enhancement focuses the structural addition only where precision is most needed, rather than requiring comprehensive structural modifications throughout the entire end effector, thereby improving cutting precision with minimal impact on overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes an end effector having a bottom guide member to confine tissue in the path of a cutting member and ensure that tissue is cleanly cut through. The bottom guide member can be supported on an end effector frame and be reusable or supported on the cartridge module and be disposable.