Surgical Stapler Dissecting Tip for Tissue Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical stapling devices lack an effective mechanism for dissecting adherent or connected tissue without causing snagging, pulling, or cutting, especially when accessing through trocar cannulas.

Innovation Solution

A dissecting tip is integrated into the surgical stapling device's end effector, featuring a body with curved or flat surfaces that decrease in width, a blunt distal tip, and adjustable angles to facilitate safe dissection by extending beyond the cartridge assembly, allowing for precise separation of tissue without damaging it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dissecting tip is added to the surgical stapling device to separate adherent tissue, then tissue separation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue separation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dissecting tip is integrated with the end effector assembly, merging the dissection function with the existing stapling device structure. The tip is positioned to extend from the end effector and work in coordination with the anvil and cartridge assemblies, allowing tissue separation to be combined with stapling and cutting functions in a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical stapling device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: stapling, cutting, and tissue dissection. The dissecting tip enables the device to separate adherent tissue from target tissue, while the end effector maintains its existing stapling and cutting capabilities, creating a multi-functional surgical instrument.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the dissecting tip extends distally beyond the cartridge assembly to access adherent tissue, then access to target tissue is improved, but the device may not fit through standard trocar cannulas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to target tissueVSAvoidlength of dissecting tip

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dissecting tip is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to extend distally when needed for tissue dissection and retract or be positioned within the cartridge assembly boundaries when passage through the trocar cannula is required. This dynamic adjustment enables the device to adapt to different surgical phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dissecting tip extends in the longitudinal dimension when dissection is needed, but its transverse dimensions are constrained to fit within the cartridge assembly cross-section for trocar passage. This dimensional management allows the tip to achieve distal extension for tissue access while maintaining compatibility with standard trocar cannulas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the dissecting tip has sharp edges for effective dissection, then dissection efficiency is improved, but tissue snagging and cutting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissection efficiencyVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dissecting tip features localized sharp edges at specific dissection points where cutting action is desired, while other portions of the tip surface are rounded or blunted to prevent unwanted tissue snagging. This local differentiation of surface properties allows efficient dissection at targeted locations while minimizing harmful effects on surrounding tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire dissecting tip sharp, the design inverts the approach by making most surfaces rounded and blunted, with only specific localized areas having sharp edges. This inversion prevents tissue snagging and cutting while maintaining dissection efficiency at the intended dissection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the dissecting tip is made wider for better tissue engagement, then dissection effectiveness is improved, but access through trocar cannulas becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue engagement capabilityVSAvoidcross-sectional area of dissecting tip

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dissecting tip is nested within or integrated with the cartridge assembly structure, allowing it to be contained within the boundaries of the existing end effector. This nesting arrangement enables the tip to engage tissue effectively when deployed while maintaining a compact overall profile that fits through standard trocar cannulas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The dissecting tip achieves effective tissue engagement through longitudinal extension and angular positioning rather than increased transverse width. The tip can be oriented at various angles and extended distally to engage adherent tissue, providing sufficient dissection capability without increasing the cross-sectional area that would prevent trocar passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8714429B2Dissecting tip for surgical stapler

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dissecting tip for use in a surgical stapler or instrument.