Stapler Articulation Brake Assembly for Precision Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling apparatuses experience undesired articulation or twitching during the stapling process, which can compromise precision and stability, particularly when transitioning from an unclamped to a clamped position.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a brake assembly with a movable and fixed brake, featuring textured surfaces and a spring mechanism, which engages to prevent articulation by maintaining contact between the brakes, ensuring stability during the stapling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tool assembly is allowed to articulate freely during the stapling process, then the surgeon can access remote locations in the surgical site, but the tool assembly experiences undesired articulation or twitching that compromises precision and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly dynamically transitions from an engaged state (preventing articulation) to a disengaged state (allowing articulation) based on the stapling cycle phase. During stapling, the brake is engaged to prevent twitching; during repositioning, the brake releases to allow full articulation range. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by temporarily suspending articulation freedom only when precision is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the articulation parameter from 'free movement' to 'constrained movement' by activating the brake assembly. The brake assembly modifies the degree of freedom of the pivot joint, transforming it from a fully articulated state to a locked state during the stapling operation, thereby controlling precision without permanently sacrificing adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the brake assembly is engaged to prevent articulation, then precision and stability are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is self-actuating through the spring mechanism that automatically engages and disengages the brake based on the stapling cycle. The spring-loaded design provides automatic braking force during stapling and automatic release during repositioning, eliminating the need for complex external actuation systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision control.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake assembly acts as an intermediary component between the articulation mechanism and the stapling mechanism. It provides a simple friction-based interface (brake pads contacting the articulation joint) that effectively controls precision without requiring complex mechanical linkages or control systems, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the movable brake is maintained spaced from the fixed brake, then the tool assembly can articulate freely, but unwanted articulation occurs during stapling
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to automatically engage the brake pads before the stapling action begins. The brake assembly is positioned and tensioned in advance so that when stapling force is applied, the brake is already engaged and ready to prevent articulation, eliminating unwanted movement before it can occur during the critical stapling phase.
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 brake assembly effectively prevents unwanted articulation of the tool assembly, enhancing precision and stability by maintaining the tool assembly's alignment relative to the longitudinal axis, thereby improving the surgical stapling process.
Implementation Method 1
The spring may be configured to urge the movable brake in a distal direction to maintain the movable brake spaced from the fixed brake by a gap. Movement of the tool assembly from the unclamped position to the clamped position may cause the movable brake to compress the spring.
Implementation Method 2
The spring may be movable between an unflexed position and a flexed position. When in the unflexed position, the movable brake may be spaced from the fixed brake, and when in the flexed position, the movable brake may be configured to contact the fixed brake.
Implementation Method 3
the movable brake may include a first textured surface and the fixed brake may include a second textured surface that is selectively engageable with the first textured surface to prevent relative movement between the first textured surface and the second textured surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly, a drive beam assembly, and a brake assembly. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The drive beam assembly is selectively advanceable through the tool assembly and positioned to move the tool assembly between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The brake assembly is disposed between the elongated shaft assembly and the tool assembly. The brake assembly includes a movable brake and a fixed brake. The movable brake is positioned to move relative to the fixed brake when the tool assembly moves from the unclamped position to the clamped position. The brake assembly prevents the tool assembly from articulating relative to the longitudinal axis when the moveable brake contacts the fixed brake.