Surgical Stapler Knife Breaks Buttress Weld

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical stapling apparatus require increased firing forces and secondary materials to release the buttress, as they rely on cutting the buttress material to detach it, which is inefficient and material-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A surgical stapling apparatus with a buttress material joined to the cartridge or anvil assembly via welds positioned across or within the knife slot, allowing the knife to break the weld upon actuation, reducing the need for cutting and secondary materials, and minimizing detachment force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a knife blade is used to cut the buttress material to release it from the surgical stapling apparatus, then the buttress can be detached, but the firing forces must be increased and secondary materials or mounting structures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuttress releaseVSAvoidfiring forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the secondary mounting structure or additional materials from the system by welding the buttress directly to the cartridge or anvil assembly. This eliminates the need for separate attachment mechanisms while maintaining secure positioning during the stapling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the buttress attachment function with the existing cartridge or anvil assembly structure by using welds positioned across the knife slot. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces the complexity of the release mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If secondary materials or mounting structures are used to attach the buttress to the surgical stapling apparatus, then the buttress can be securely attached, but the device complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuttress attachmentVSAvoidmounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the buttress attachment function with the existing cartridge or anvil assembly by positioning welds across the knife slot. This integration maintains reliable attachment during stapling while eliminating the need for separate mounting structures, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The weld structure serves multiple functions: it securely attaches the buttress to the cartridge or anvil assembly, positions it correctly, and provides a controlled release mechanism when cut by the knife. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If secondary materials or mounting structures are used to attach the buttress, then the buttress can be securely attached, but the quantity of materials used increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuttress attachmentVSAvoidmaterials used

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes secondary materials or mounting structures from the system by using direct welds between the buttress and the cartridge or anvil assembly. This extraction reduces material usage while maintaining secure attachment through the weld bonds positioned across the knife slot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If the knife blade must cut through secondary materials or mounting structures to release the buttress, then the buttress can be detached, but the firing forces must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuttress releaseVSAvoidmaterials to be cut

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts secondary materials or mounting structures from the system, leaving only the essential welds across the knife slot to be cut. This reduces the quantity of materials the knife must traverse, thereby lowering the required firing forces while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution enables the release of the buttress with lower firing forces and reduced material usage, enhancing the efficiency and simplicity of the stapling process while maintaining effective tissue sealing.

Implementation Method 1

The buttress material includes at least one weld joining the buttress material to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS10667814B2Buttress release from surgical stapler by knife pushing

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical stapling apparatus including a releasable buttress material includes a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, a knife, and a buttress material. The cartridge assembly includes a plurality of staples and a tissue contacting surface defining staple retaining slots. The anvil assembly includes a tissue contacting surface defining staple pockets for forming staples expelled from the staple retaining slots of the cartridge assembly. The knife is disposed within a knife slot formed in the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly. The buttress material includes at least one weld joining the buttress material to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly. The at least one weld is positioned across the knife slot.