Surgical Stapler Flexible Distal Tip for Thin Tissue
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face difficulties in grasping and manipulating thin tissue due to the limited tissue gap, which can prolong surgical procedures and increase trauma to the patient.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapler with a compressible material secured to the distal end of the jaw members, forming a wedge-like volume that engages the opposing jaw, allowing for effective grasping and manipulation of tissues with varying thicknesses, including thin tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the tissue gap height is kept small for precise staple formation, then staple formation quality is improved, but the ability to grasp and manipulate thin tissue deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The distal tip is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt its shape. When the jaws close on thin tissue, the flexible distal tip deforms to conform to the tissue thickness, enabling effective grasping. When staples are being formed, the distal tip maintains sufficient rigidity or is positioned to not interfere with the stapling action, thus preserving staple formation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffness or flexibility parameter of the jaw distal tip is optimized to be intermediate - not completely rigid and not completely flexible. This allows the distal tip to provide enough compliance to grasp thin tissue effectively while maintaining enough structural integrity to not compromise staple formation when the jaws are in the closed position.
2Ease of operation
If the tissue gap is enlarged to improve tissue grasping, then tissue manipulation ability is improved, but staple formation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible distal tip allows the effective tissue gap to dynamically adjust based on tissue thickness. For thin tissue, the distal tips deform to reduce the effective gap, maintaining grasping ability. For thicker tissue, the distal tips maintain their shape, providing adequate clearance for staple formation without compromising precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid jaw structure is used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to varying tissue thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Only the distal tip portion of the jaw is made flexible, while the rest of the jaw structure remains rigid. This localized flexibility allows the distal tip to adapt to varying tissue thicknesses, while the main body of the jaw maintains its structural stability for reliable actuation and staple formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw structure transitions from a completely rigid design to a semi-rigid design with a flexible distal tip. This dynamic characteristic allows the jaw to maintain stability during actuation while the distal tip dynamically conforms to the tissue being grasped, providing adaptability to different tissue thicknesses.
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 material facilitates better tissue grasping and manipulation, reducing surgical time and trauma by conforming to different tissue thicknesses without compromising staple formation or cutting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A compressible material is secured to a distal end of a jaw member of a surgical stapler
Implementation Method 2
The compressible material facilitates better tissue grasping and manipulation, reducing surgical time and trauma by conforming to different tissue thicknesses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A tool assembly (400) for a surgical device includes a first jaw member (420) defining a first tissue contact surface (422) and a second jaw member (410) defining a second tissue contact surface (412). The first jaw member and the second jaw member are movable in relation to each other between open and closed positions wherein, in the closed position, the first and second tissue contact surfaces (422, 412) are spaced apart from each other and define a tissue gap (G). A compressible material (430) is secured to a distal end of the first jaw member (420). The compressible material (430) engages the second jaw member (410) when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. A surgical device (100) includes the aforementioned tool assembly. A kit (405) includes the compressible material (430) secured on a tool assembly of a surgical device. A method of manufacturing the tool assembly (400) and securing the compressible material (430) is disclosed.