Surgical Stapler Buttress Assemblies for Staple Line Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers lack effective means to reinforce the mechanical fastening of tissue and prevent staple pull-through and tissue tearing, particularly in varying tissue thicknesses, during endoscopic and open surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of buttress assemblies, comprising a flexible material with adhesive layers, which are secured to the anvil and staple cartridge, providing structural support and adhering to tissue layers to reinforce staple lines, and optionally incorporating hemostatic agents to reduce bleeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional surgical staplers are used without adjuncts, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is good, but the mechanical integrity of staple lines is insufficient and staple pull-through occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A tissue cushion adjunct is introduced as an intermediary component between the stapler and tissue. This cushion comprises a compressible foam layer that distributes staple loading across a larger tissue area, preventing staple pull-through while maintaining mechanical integrity without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue cushion is constructed from composite materials including compressible foam and adhesive layers. The foam provides structural support and stress distribution, while adhesive layers secure the cushion to both the stapler anvil and the tissue, creating a multi-functional composite structure that enhances staple line strength
2Reliability
If buttress assemblies with adhesive layers are used, then staple pull-through is prevented and tissue tearing is reduced, but the ease of operation is reduced due to additional attachment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue cushion is pre-loaded onto the stapler anvil during manufacturing, with adhesive layers already positioned and activated. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for surgeons to manually attach cushion components during surgery, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layers are designed to self-activate upon contact with tissue or the stapler cartridge, automatically securing the cushion in place without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or surgical steps. The cushion serves itself by utilizing the adhesive properties of its material composition
3Strength
If tissue cushion adjuncts are added to reinforce staple lines, then the risk of tissue tearing is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated tissue cushion component. The cushion simultaneously provides stress distribution, tissue reinforcement, and adhesive bonding capabilities through its composite construction, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement components and minimizing overall device complexity
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
Enhances the mechanical integrity of staple lines, reduces the risk of staple pull-through and tissue tearing, and minimizes bleeding at the surgical site, while accommodating varying tissue thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
buttress assemblies, comprising a flexible material with adhesive layers, which are secured to the anvil and staple cartridge
Implementation Method 2
A tissue cushion may be loaded onto a surgical stapler end effector. The tissue cushion may include a compressible foam
Implementation Method 3
optionally incorporating hemostatic agents to reduce bleeding
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a first and second jaw, a firing assembly, a first buttress assembly, and a second buttress assembly. The first and second jaw actuate relative to each other between an open and closed position to grasp tissue. The second jaw includes a fastening assembly having a deck defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of fasteners housed within the openings. The firing assembly drives the plurality of fasteners out of the plurality of openings against a plurality of fastening forming features of the first jaw. The first buttress assembly and the second buttress assembly are associated with the first and second jaw, respectively. The first buttress assembly includes a first material and a first thickness. The second buttress assembly includes a second material and a second thickness. The first material and the second material differ in rigidity. The first thickness and the second thickness are different.