Surgical Stapler Jaw Closure Control for Cartridge-Safe Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling and cutting instruments face challenges in efficiently articulating and firing staples due to limited jaw aperture, high firing forces, and frictional wear, which complicates the design and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapling system with a dynamic clamping assembly featuring angled channel and anvil engagement surfaces coated with ceramic materials and embedded inserts, along with a drive assembly locking system to prevent firing without a proper cartridge, enhances jaw aperture and reduces frictional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional surgical stapling instruments are used, then the basic stapling function is provided, but the jaw aperture is limited and firing forces are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic clamping assembly where the anvil can be selectively positioned between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the anvil engages with the channel at an angle to increase jaw aperture. The system dynamically adjusts the anvil position based on operational needs, allowing larger aperture when required while maintaining compact form when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the engagement surfaces by providing angled channel engagement surfaces and angled anvil engagement surfaces. These angled surfaces (with specific angle ranges) modify the mechanical advantage and force distribution during firing, reducing the required firing forces while enabling increased jaw aperture.
2Reliability
If conventional engagement surfaces are used, then basic stapling operation is achieved, but frictional wear is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ceramic coatings to the channel engagement surfaces and anvil engagement surfaces. These ceramic layers provide superior wear resistance and reduce friction compared to conventional metallic surfaces. The composite structure combines the substrate material with the ceramic coating to achieve enhanced durability and reduced frictional wear during repeated stapling operations.
3Reliability
If no locking system is provided, then the device structure is simpler, but firing without proper cartridge is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a locking system that requires a cartridge to be properly installed and locked before the firing mechanism can be actuated. The system performs preliminary verification of cartridge presence and proper engagement through interlocking features and sensing mechanisms, preventing firing unless the cartridge is correctly positioned and secured.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cartridge and the firing mechanism. It includes locking features on the cartridge that must engage with corresponding features on the anvil or channel, and a sensing system that verifies proper engagement before allowing firing. This intermediary locking system ensures safety without requiring complex control electronics.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system comprising an end effector, a clamp driver, a motor, and a control circuit is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw toward a closed configuration. The clamp driver is movable toward a closure end position. The motor is operably coupled to the clamp driver. The control circuit comprises a processor and a memory, and the control circuit is to: advance, by the motor, the clamp driver to the closure end position; determine a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw in the closed configuration, wherein the closure end position corresponds to the closed configuration; receive a signal indicative of at least one of a staple cartridge identity, type, or characteristic from a corresponding staple cartridge; and detect that the distance is acceptable for staple firing by the end effector based on the received signal.