Collar for Circular Stapler Head Secure Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circular surgical staplers lack a simplified and cost-effective method for securely connecting the stapling head assembly with the shaft assembly, relying on complex and expensive machinery like magneforming, which is not practical for all manufacturing and assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a body member assembly with a proximal housing and a distal housing that provides a secure connection to the shaft assembly using a simplified assembly process, eliminating the need for complex machinery, and allowing for secure coupling without magneforming, using retaining rings and mating features like keyways and retaining grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If magneforming machinery is used to connect the stapling head assembly with the shaft assembly, then the connection strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into separate modular components: a collar assembly with internal threading, retaining rings, and mating features that interface with the shaft assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes rather than requiring complex integrated magneforming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar assembly serves as an intermediary component between the stapling head assembly and the shaft assembly. It provides a standardized interface with internal threads and mating features that simplify the connection process, eliminating the need for direct complex joining operations between the main components.
2Reliability
If magneforming process is used for assembly, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magneforming process (which uses magnetic fields) with a mechanical threading and retaining system. The collar assembly uses internal threads that engage with external threads on the shaft assembly, combined with retaining rings that provide mechanical locking, achieving reliable connections through conventional mechanical means rather than specialized magnetic forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism uses adjustable parameters including thread engagement depth, retaining ring positioning, and interference fit dimensions to ensure reliable connections. These parameters can be controlled through standard machining tolerances and assembly procedures, providing consistent reliability without requiring complex magneforming process control.
3Ease of manufacture
If simplified assembly process is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The collar assembly is pre-configured with internal threading and mating features during manufacturing. The retaining rings are pre-positioned to engage with grooves in the shaft assembly. This preliminary preparation of connection features allows for simple assembly operations while ensuring that the connection achieves full strength through pre-engineered engagement geometries and interference fits.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar assembly and shaft assembly interface uses curved or rounded mating surfaces and interference fit geometries that distribute stresses evenly across the connection interface. This curved geometry provides simple assembly through push-fit or light tapping operations while maintaining strong mechanical connections through distributed load paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, a stapling assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly and extending along a central axis, and an anvil configured to selectively couple with the stapling assembly to compress a tissue and form staples in the tissue. The stapling assembly includes a housing assembly that includes a proximal housing and a distal housing. The proximal housing is secured to the shaft assembly and is separable from the distal housing to thereby releasably couple the distal housing with the shaft assembly. The stapling assembly further includes a deck member having an annular array of staple openings configured to receive a plurality of staples, and a knife member at least partially disposed within the housing assembly.