Surgical Stapler Firing Assembly Fluid Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surgical staplers lack flexibility in firing force and uniformity in staple deformation, leading to inadequate hemostasis in varying tissue thicknesses, potentially causing hemorrhage or overly tight anastomosis.
Innovation Solution
A firing assembly with a pressure chamber and pistons that utilize fluid pressure to adjust staple deformation based on tissue thickness, ensuring consistent stapling across different tissue types by varying the formed heights of staples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mechanical connection is used in firing assembly, then structure is simple, but firing force lacks flexibility and feels hard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic system with a pressure chamber, piston, and fluid communication between the firing assembly and staple cartridge assembly. This hydraulic mechanism replaces the traditional rigid mechanical connection, enabling flexible and controllable transmission of firing force while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hydraulic system with a pressure chamber, piston, and fluid communication between the firing assembly and staple cartridge assembly. This hydraulic mechanism replaces the traditional rigid mechanical connection, enabling flexible and controllable transmission of firing force while maintaining structural integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If uniform staple deformation is applied to all tissues, then hemostasis is achieved for thick tissue, but thin tissue becomes overly tight affecting blood supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of staple deformation by allowing the anvil to move relative to the staple cartridge along the firing direction. This dynamic mechanism, controlled through hydraulic pressure, permits variable compression forces to be applied according to tissue thickness, achieving both hemostasis and adequate blood supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the stapling system by introducing hydraulic pressure control and anvil displacement. These parameter changes enable continuous adjustment of firing force and staple deformation, allowing optimization for different tissue types and thicknesses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic system is introduced to improve firing force flexibility, then adaptability to tissue thickness increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system introduced in this patent serves multiple functions: it transmits firing force, controls anvil displacement, and adjusts staple deformation - all through a single integrated fluid communication system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms despite the added hydraulic components.
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 solution provides a gentle firing action and uniform anastomosis, improving postoperative outcomes by accommodating tissue thickness variations and maintaining balanced force distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure chamber (102) arranged in the shell (101) to accommodate fluid. An ejector rod (104) is provided below the assistor (103) to push the assistor (103) moving upwardly and thereby compressing the fluid in the pressure chamber (102)
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of piston holes (105) are in communication with the pressure chamber (102) and a plurality of pistons (106) are sealed in the piston holes (105)... the increased pressure in the pressure chamber (102) will push the pistons (106) moving upwardly
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a firing assembly for a surgical stapler, which includes a shell, a pressure chamber arranged in the shell to accommodates fluid, an ejector rod located below the shell to provide an actuated force and press the fluid in the pressure chamber, a number of piston holes communicating with the pressure chamber, a number of pistons received in the piston holes and a number of firing portions actuated by the pistons. For the firing assembly of the present invention, the firing action is gentle and that the stapling effect for the anastomosed tissues is uniform.