Surgical Stapler Knife Slot Pocket Resupply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments with knife blades face challenges in consistently applying treatment materials, such as hemostasis agents, as the coating is worn off during extended strokes, leading to inadequate material application on tissues.
Innovation Solution
A material delivery system featuring a series of pockets with a semi-spherical depression configuration adjacent to the knife slot, containing a source of treatment material like powder, gel, or fluid, which ensures continuous resupply and application to the knife blade as it passes through tissue, with the pockets positioned on one or both sides of the knife slot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a coating is applied to the knife blade, then treatment material is transferred to tissue, but the coating is worn off during extended knife blade strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies treatment material to the knife blade in advance through a series of pockets positioned along the knife slot, so that material is available before and during the extended stroke, preventing depletion throughout the entire cutting path
Solution Approach 2:
The series of pockets continuously resupply treatment material to the knife blade during the extended stroke, maintaining continuous material transfer to tissue throughout the entire cutting process rather than relying on a single initial coating
2Quantity of substance
If a single coating is applied to the knife blade, then initial treatment material transfer is achieved, but material becomes depleted before the end of the stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment material supply is segmented into multiple discrete pockets positioned at different locations along the knife slot, ensuring that material is available at various points throughout the extended stroke rather than relying on a single depleted coating
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple pockets work together to provide continuous material resupply during the extended stroke, maintaining reliable and consistent material application throughout the entire cutting process
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 system effectively maintains a consistent application of treatment materials along the knife blade's path, ensuring thorough treatment of tissues by repeatedly resupplying the material, even during extended strokes, thereby addressing the issue of inadequate material distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the coating is progressively worn off during transfer to tissue
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a materials delivery system for use with a surgical stapling instrument having at least one jaw including a knife slot. The materials delivery system includes a series of treatment material receiving pockets positioned adjacent the knife slot such that a portion of each pocket is open to the knife slot. A source of treatment material is positioned within the pockets such that passage of the knife blade adjacent to the pockets repeatedly coats the knife blade with the treatment material.