Surgical Stapler Cartridge Guide Members for Accurate Fastener Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face challenges in refilling cartridges due to their small size and difficulty in securing them properly, leading to time-consuming processes and potential misfires during minimally invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A surgical fastening device with an elongate shaft and end effector featuring a staple cartridge with guide members that protrude from the cartridge surface, guiding staples along an arcuate path and maintaining alignment to ensure accurate deployment between opposed jaws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional staplers are used with small cartridges, then the stapling function is achieved, but the refilling process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is pre-loaded with staples in a magazine structure before insertion into the stapler. This preliminary preparation allows for quick replacement of entire pre-loaded cartridges rather than manual staple insertion, significantly reducing refilling time and operational complexity during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The stapling system is divided into modular components: a reusable stapler body and replaceable cartridges. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be independently replaced without affecting the main device, enabling quick refilling by simply swapping cartridges rather than manually reloading individual staples.
2Reliability
If small cartridges are used in staplers, then the stapling function is achieved, but proper securing and alignment of cartridges becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is pre-positioned with guide members and alignment features before insertion. These preliminary structural preparations ensure that when the cartridge is inserted into the stapler, it automatically aligns with the anvil and gets properly secured without requiring complex manual manipulation or adjustment during the procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If staples are deployed without guide members, then the stapling process is simpler, but lateral movement of staples occurs reducing placement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
Guide members are added only at specific critical locations within the cartridge where staple lateral movement needs to be controlled. Rather than redesigning the entire cartridge structure, localized guide features are incorporated at the staple ejection paths and engagement points with the anvil, providing necessary precision while minimizing overall structural complexity.
4Reliability
If guide members are added to the cartridge, then staple alignment is improved, but the cartridge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are pre-integrated into the cartridge structure during manufacturing, forming an integral part of the cartridge assembly. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the guide members are always present and properly positioned when the cartridge is loaded, improving staple deployment reliability without requiring additional complex assembly steps or adjustable components during surgery.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods are provided for guiding surgical fasteners. In general, the devices and methods can facilitate guidance of fasteners during deployment of the fasteners into tissue. In general, the surgical device can include one or more guidance features configured to facilitate guidance of the fasteners during ejection of the fasteners from the cartridge. The one or more guidance features can be configured to reduce lateral movement of the fasteners during deployment thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more guidance features can be configured to support a fastener on three sides thereof during deployment of the fastener. The one or more guidance features can be formed on the cartridge, e.g., formed on a surface thereof or formed on a sled disposed in the cartridge, and/or can be formed on a jaw that seats the cartridge.