Surgical Stapler Buttress Applicator State Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical staplers lack a reliable mechanism to reinforce tissue fastening, leading to potential staple pull-through and tissue tearing at the application site, which can compromise the integrity of the surgical site.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a buttress material with an adhesive layer on the surgical stapler's end effector, which secures to both the anvil and staple cartridge, providing structural support and preventing staple pull-through by distributing the staple's force across the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surgical stapler is used to fasten tissue layers, then the tissue can be sealed and severed, but the staples may pull through the tissue or cause tissue tearing at the application site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a composite buttress material with adhesive properties to the tissue layers adjacent to the staple line. This composite structure combines the mechanical fastening function of staples with the adhesive bonding function of the buttress material, creating a reinforced fastening system that prevents staple pull-through and tissue tearing while maintaining effective tissue sealing and severing
2Strength
If a buttress material with adhesive layer is incorporated into the surgical stapler, then structural support is provided and staple pull-through is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the buttress material application function with the existing stapler system by integrating an adhesive layer directly onto the buttress material and incorporating it into the tissue fastening process. This combination approach consolidates multiple functions (structural support, adhesive bonding, and mechanical fastening) into a unified system, enhancing strength while managing device complexity through functional integration
3Strength
If the buttress material is secured to both the anvil and staple cartridge, then the staple's force is distributed across the tissue, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the adhesive layer to the buttress material in advance, before the surgical procedure. This preliminary preparation allows the adhesive to be ready for immediate application during surgery, ensuring proper force distribution across the tissue while minimizing the complexity and time required during the actual surgical operation
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 buttress material effectively reduces the risk of tissue tearing and enhances the mechanical fastening of staples, ensuring a stronger and more secure tissue seal.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a buttress material with an adhesive layer on the surgical stapler's end effector, which secures to both the anvil and staple cartridge
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing, a platform, a buttress assembly, at least one retainer member, and an indicator. A portion of the platform is exposed in a gap defined by the housing. The buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The retainer member is configured to selectively retain the buttress assembly against the platform. The retainer member is further configured to release the buttress assembly from the platform in response to a clamping action of an end effector positioned in the gap defined by the housing. The indicator is configured to provide indication of a state of one or both of the buttress assembly or the at least one retainer member. The indicator is further configured to change state in response to a change of state of one or both of the buttress assembly or the at least one retainer member.