Surgical Stapler Channel Protrusions for Balanced End Effector Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers experience end effector assembly swinging due to imbalanced tension forces, leading to tissue traction and abrasion during the surgical procedure.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapler design featuring an intermediate connecting member with first and second channels, each with protruding structures, where bending tension members passively contact these structures to generate additional tension forces, maintaining balance and preventing swinging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bending control mechanism is used to bend the end effector assembly, then the stapling and cutting function is achieved, but the end effector assembly swings causing tissue traction and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterbalance mechanism with a counterbalance weight that offsets the swinging motion of the end effector assembly during bending. The counterbalance weight is positioned and configured to create opposing force moments that counteract the harmful swinging motion, thereby eliminating tissue traction and abrasion while preserving bending control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary counterbalance mechanism between the bending control system and the end effector assembly. This intermediary component absorbs and neutralizes the swinging motion through controlled mechanical interaction, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the tissue while maintaining the desired bending motion for stapling and cutting.
2Productivity
If the end effector assembly is bent along a direction, then the stapling function is performed, but the tension forces become unbalanced causing swinging
Solution Approach 1:
The counterbalance weight is strategically positioned to create force moments that counteract the unbalanced tension forces generated during bending. When the end effector assembly bends to perform stapling, the counterbalance mechanism generates opposing moments that maintain overall force equilibrium, preventing swinging while enabling the stapling function to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the tension force distribution by introducing the counterbalance mechanism. This changes the force balance parameters from unbalanced to balanced state during bending operations, allowing the end effector assembly to maintain stability throughout the stapling process without swinging or excessive tissue contact.
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 design prevents end effector assembly swinging, reducing tissue traction and abrasion by ensuring balanced tension forces throughout the bending process.
Implementation Method 1
the first bending tension member passively contacts the first protruding structure, expanding along a first direction to generate additional tension force
Implementation Method 2
the second bending tension member passively contacts the second protruding structure, expanding along the second direction to generate additional tension force
Implementation Method 3
the intermediate connecting member is elastic; when the end effector assembly bends along the first direction, the intermediate connecting member is compressed on a side facing the first direction to provide supporting force and stretches on a side facing the second direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical stapler is provided. The surgical stapler includes an intermediate connecting member (100), an end effector assembly (200), a first bending tension member (400) and a second bending tension member (500); the first bending tension member (400) is configured to pass through the first channel (130) to connect to the end effector assembly (200); the second bending tension member (500) is configured to pass through the second channel (140) to connect to the end effector assembly (200); a first protruding structure (131) is provided on a side of the first channel (130); when the second bending tension member (500) is forced to pull the end effector assembly (200) to bend, the first bending tension member (400) passively contacts the first protruding structure (131), generating additional tension force. The present disclosure prevents the first bending tension member (400) from loosening during surgery, reducing traction or abrasion to patient's tissue.