Surgical Stapler Cartridge Compressible Driver Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face challenges in effectively stapling and cutting thin tissues due to the predefined gap between the cartridge deck and anvil, which can lead to tissue shifting and incomplete cutting or stapling.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating compressible features in the staple drivers, such as arcuate members or bridge members, that compress the tissue to secure it in place during stapling and cutting, preventing shifting and ensuring proper staple formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a predefined gap is maintained between the cartridge deck and anvil for structural stability, then the overall device strength is improved, but thin tissues cannot be adequately compressed leading to tissue shifting and incomplete stapling
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is divided into multiple segments that can move independently relative to the cartridge deck. The anvil includes a first portion and a second portion that can be positioned at different distances from the cartridge deck, allowing the gap to be adjusted or eliminated for thin tissues while maintaining structural stability for thicker tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil is designed with dynamic movement capability, transitioning from a fixed position to a movable position. The anvil can be selectively moved closer to the cartridge deck to eliminate the predefined gap when needed, while maintaining the predefined gap position for standard operations, enabling adaptive compression for different tissue thicknesses.
2Manufacturing precision
If the anvil is positioned closer to the cartridge deck to compress thin tissues, then stapling precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The firing beam serves dual functions: it acts as the cutting element and simultaneously functions as the actuator to move the anvil. As the firing beam advances, it directly pushes the anvil forward to eliminate the gap, combining the cutting and compression actions into a single integrated mechanism without requiring separate actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The firing beam is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the tissue cutting element and as the driving mechanism for anvil movement. This universal component performs multiple critical functions, reducing the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for additional dedicated movement mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the anvil is moved forward to eliminate the gap for thin tissue compression, then tissue stability is improved, but the cutting effectiveness may be reduced due to decreased clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil movement and firing beam advancement occur simultaneously and continuously throughout the cutting stroke. The anvil maintains continuous contact with or proximity to the tissue being compressed, while the firing beam continuously cuts through the tissue, ensuring both compression and cutting actions are performed continuously without interruption or separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil is moved forward to compress and stabilize the tissue before the firing beam begins its cutting action. This preliminary compression ensures the tissue is properly positioned and secured between the anvil and cartridge deck, creating optimal conditions for subsequent cutting and stapling operations.
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 compressible features effectively hold thin tissues in place, preventing undesirable movement and ensuring clean cutting and stapling, even when the tissue thickness is less than the predefined gap, thereby improving the stapling and cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating compressible features in the staple drivers, such as arcuate members or bridge members, that compress the tissue to secure it in place during stapling and cutting
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a staple cartridge. The end effector includes an anvil and a lower jaw. The anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to clamp tissue. The staple cartridge is coupled with the lower jaw. The staple cartridge includes a deck, a plurality of staples, and a plurality of staple drivers. The deck faces the anvil. The staples are positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck. The staple drivers are configured to drive the staples out of the staple openings. Each staple driver of the plurality of staple drivers includes a staple driver body. At least a portion of the staple drivers further include a compressible feature extending from the staple driver body toward the anvil.