Surgical Stapler Buttress Applicator Adhesive Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments lack an effective method to apply and secure buttress materials at cut and stapled tissue sites, leading to potential staple pull-through and tissue tearing.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapler with an integrated buttress applicator that loads and deploys buttress assemblies onto the end effector, using adhesive to secure the buttress to the tissue and staples, thereby reinforcing the staple line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical staplers are used to cut and staple tissue, then tissue sealing and cutting are achieved, but staple pull-through and tissue tearing may occur due to lack of reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the buttress material with the tissue and staples to create a reinforced composite structure. The buttress material, when applied to the tissue and stapled, forms a composite assembly that prevents staple pull-through and tissue tearing, thereby resolving the contradiction between staple line integrity and tissue reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the surgical system into distinct functional components: the surgical stapler for cutting and stapling, and the separate buttress applicator for applying reinforcement material. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function optimally, with the buttress material providing targeted reinforcement at the staple line without interfering with the stapling mechanism.
2Reliability
If buttress material is applied to reinforce staple lines, then staple pull-through and tissue tearing are prevented, but device complexity increases due to integration of buttress applicator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate instruments (surgical stapler and buttress applicator) into a single integrated device. The buttress applicator is integrated with the surgical stapler, allowing both stapling and buttress material application to be performed in sequence without removing the instrument, thereby reducing overall procedural complexity despite adding functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated surgical instrument performs multiple functions: cutting tissue, stapling tissue, and applying buttress material for reinforcement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate instruments and procedures, reducing device complexity at the system level while maintaining comprehensive surgical capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate buttress applicator is used, then application of buttress material is possible, but procedural time increases due to additional instrument handling
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the buttress applicator with the surgical stapler into a single instrument, the patent eliminates the need to remove and replace instruments between stapling and buttress application. This merging of functions allows continuous operation without instrument handling time, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and procedural time loss.
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 effectively prevents staple pull-through and tissue tearing by providing structural reinforcement to the staple line, enhancing the integrity and durability of the surgical site.
Implementation Method 1
using adhesive to secure the buttress to the tissue and staples
Data Source
AI summary
A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.