Surgical Stapler with Fluid Orifices for Hemostasis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers used in endoscopic procedures face challenges in efficiently stapling and severing tissue with minimal tissue pinching and staple malformation, while also requiring effective hemostasis and tissue sealing.
Innovation Solution
The design of an articulating surgical stapling and severing instrument with an E-beam firing mechanism, a wedge sled, and staple drivers that drive staples through tissue while simultaneously cutting, using a staple cartridge with fluid orifices for potential hemostatic fluid delivery, allowing for precise tissue handling and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical staplers are used for stapling and severing tissue, then stapling function is achieved, but tissue pinching and staple malformation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stapler assembly is divided into separate functional modules: a stapling mechanism with multiple staple drivers for precise staple formation, and a severing mechanism with a firing bar for tissue cutting. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing tissue pinching while maintaining staple precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic control of the firing mechanism where the firing bar can be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic positioning allows the severing function to be activated at optimal moments during the stapling process, reducing tissue pinching and improving overall precision.
2Length of moving object
If endoscopic surgical instruments are used through a cannula, then minimal incision is achieved, but positioning precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates articulation joints that enable the end effector to rotate and articulate relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This adds rotational and angular degrees of freedom, allowing precise positioning of the end effector at the surgical site despite the constraints of the cannula insertion approach.
3Reliability
If hemostatic fluid is delivered through fluid orifices, then hemostasis is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is merged with the staple cartridge assembly. The fluid orifices are integrated into the cartridge structure, and the container protrusion serves dual purposes: actuating the staple drivers and compressing the container to deliver hemostatic fluid. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective hemostasis.
Solution Approach 2:
The container protrusion is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously acts as a staple driver actuator and a container compressor for fluid delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the device while achieving both stapling and hemostasis functions.
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 instrument effectively staples and severs tissue with reduced pinching and malformation, while the fluid delivery mechanism aids in hemostasis, enhancing procedural efficiency and minimizing bleeding.
Implementation Method 1
an E-beam firing mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a wedge sled, and staple drivers that drive staples through tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument is configured to receive a staple cartridge to staple tissue and expel a fluid from within a container in the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge has an upper deck including staple apertures and orifices formed therein. The orifices are in fluid communication with the containers. The staple cartridge includes staple drivers having a driver body to translate a staple and a container protrusion to expel the fluid out the orifices. The fluid may be expelled while driving the staples out through the staple apertures. The container may be vertically compressible container or, in one alternative, may be a container having a channel and a sealant that is configured to be pierced as the fluid is expelled. Some configurations for the fluid include a hemostatic agent, thrombin, a gel, or a medicament. The containers may also be formed as reservoirs defined within the upper deck and/or cartridge body.