Surgical Stapler Dynamic Clamping Member Skew Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face issues with dynamic clamping members skewing or buckling due to large forces during stapling and cutting, leading to uneven tissue compression and potential misalignment of the cutting path.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapler design featuring a dynamic clamping member with a pin and flange mechanism that translates within slots in the anvil and channel assembly, maintaining a uniform gap and opposing forces to stabilize the stapling and cutting process, and a selectively movable clamping collar to pre-clamp tissue before stapling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cantilever knife design is used to squeeze tissue and force fluids out, then tissue stapling is enhanced, but the knife may skew or buckle during translation due to large forces
Solution Approach 1:
A dynamic clamping member is introduced as an intermediary component between the knife and the tissue. This member applies clamping force to compress the tissue and force fluids out ahead of the knife blade, enhancing stapling while preventing the knife from buckling under large forces. The dynamic clamping member absorbs and distributes the mechanical stress, stabilizing the cutting path.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic clamping member performs preliminary compression of the tissue before the knife blade cuts through. By pre-compressing the tissue and forcing fluids out in advance, the tissue becomes more stable and easier to staple, while the knife encounters less resistance during translation, preventing skewing or buckling.
2Power
If large forces are applied to staple and incise tissue, then stapling effectiveness is improved, but the dynamic clamping member experiences undue stress causing skewing or buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic clamping member is designed with mechanical interfaces in substantial vertical registration, creating a balanced force distribution system. The first mechanical interface engages the anvil while the second engages the channel assembly, distributing stresses across multiple dimensions and preventing lateral skewing or buckling under large stapling forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic clamping member acts as a counterbalancing element that opposes and distributes the large forces generated during stapling and cutting. By engaging both the anvil and channel assembly through vertically registered interfaces, it creates a balanced force system that prevents undue stress concentration and maintains alignment stability.
3Productivity
If the dynamic clamping member translates through tissue, then sequential stapling is achieved, but uneven tissue compression and misalignment may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic clamping member serves as a mediator that maintains uniform compression on the tissue throughout its translation. By engaging both the anvil and channel assembly through vertically registered mechanical interfaces, it ensures consistent gap maintenance and uniform tissue compression across all staple formation points, preventing misalignment while enabling sequential stapling.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a channel member for supporting a staple cartridge therein and an anvil to deform a plurality of staples ejected from the staple cartridge thereagainst. The tool assembly also includes a sled which is movable to force the staples from the cartridge against the anvil to staple tissue disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A dynamic clamping member is included which has a pin which movably engages the anvil and a flange which movably engages the channel assembly. The dynamic clamping member is mounted to and movable with the sled. The pin and the flange of the dynamic clamping member cooperating to oppose the forces associated with clamping and stapling tissue and also to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the anvil and the staple cartridge during stapling of the tissue.