Surgical Stapler Buttress Retention via Swaged Edge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling apparatus require secondary materials and increased firing forces due to the need for knife blade cutting to release the buttress, which complicates the process and increases material usage.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling apparatus with a releasable buttress material that is secured through a swaged outer edge on the cartridge or anvil assembly, allowing the buttress to be retained without additional materials and released by staple force, eliminating the need for knife blade cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secondary material or mounting structure is used to secure the buttress material, then the buttress can be retained on the surgical stapling apparatus, but the device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the buttress retention function directly into the cartridge assembly structure by forming an integrated retention structure that engages with the buttress material. This eliminates the need for separate secondary materials or mounting structures, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable buttress retention throughout the surgical procedure.
2Ease of operation
If a knife blade is used to cut the buttress material for release, then the buttress can be released from the surgical stapling apparatus, but the firing forces must be increased to transect multiple materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cutting function from the release mechanism. Instead of requiring the knife blade to cut through both the buttress material and secondary mounting structure, the design allows the knife to transect only the thin release tab portion, significantly reducing the firing forces required while maintaining ease of operation for buttress release.
3Ease of operation
If multiple materials are transected by the knife blade, then the buttress is released from the surgical stapling apparatus, but the material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable release tab made from minimal material that serves its purpose temporarily during the surgical procedure. This thin tab is designed to be easily transected by the knife blade, allowing buttress release without requiring substantial secondary materials or mounting structures, thereby reducing overall material usage and waste.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~4B
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A surgical stapling apparatus including a releasable buttress material, the surgical stapling apparatus comprising a cartridge assembly including a plurality of staples and a tissue contacting surface defining staple retaining slots, the cartridge assembly including a swaged outer edge an anvil assembly including a tissue contacting surface defining staple pockets for forming staples expelled from the staple retaining slots of the cartridge assembly; and a buttress material including an outer portion retained within the swaged outer edge of the cartridge assembly.