Stapler with Offset Staple Groups for Tissue Plications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic stapling devices require frequent reloading and insertion into the stomach to create multiple tissue plications, making the procedure time-consuming, uncomfortable for patients, and increasing the risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A stapling device with a cartridge assembly featuring multiple groups of offset staple slots and a staple driver with pusher arms that allow for successive stapling without reloading, utilizing an indexing mechanism to advance the cartridge and pusher arms for each new group of staples, enabling multiple tissue plications to be formed without reloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a standard stapling device is used to create multiple tissue plications, then the required number of plications (8-15) can be achieved, but the device must be removed and reloaded multiple times, making the procedure time-consuming and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The staple cartridge is segmented into multiple separate groups of staples (e.g., first group, second group, third group) arranged in different radial positions. Each group can be independently ejected by the pusher assembly, allowing multiple plications to be formed from a single cartridge without reloading the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher assembly is designed to dynamically reposition itself radially to engage different groups of staples in sequence. After ejecting one group of staples, the pusher can move to a new radial position to eject the next group, enabling continuous operation without device removal or reloading.
2Productivity
If the stapling device is inserted and removed multiple times to form successive plications, then multiple tissue folds can be stapled, but patient discomfort and risk of injury increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple groups of staples are pre-loaded into the cartridge in different radial positions before the procedure begins. This preliminary preparation allows the physician to perform multiple plications in succession without needing to reload the device, thereby reducing the number of insertions and removals required.
3Device complexity
If a single staple cartridge is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to form multiple plications without reloading is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single cartridge assembly is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple groups of staples that can be ejected in sequence. The pusher assembly can engage different radial positions to access different staple groups, allowing one cartridge to perform the work of multiple cartridges while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A stapling device for forming multiple tissue plications without needing to reload the device between plications is described. The device includes staple and anvil housings that move toward and away from a tissue-capture position. A cartridge holder in the staple housing supports a cartridge with multiple groups of offset staple slots, where the slots in each group are circularly arrayed about a cartridge center axis. A staple driver in the staple housing carries a plurality of arms for engaging and ejecting the staples in a first group of staples in the cartridge, when a tissue fold is captured between the cartridge assembly and anvil in the anvil housing. When the staple driver is retracted, after a tissue plication is formed, the cartridge assembly and tissue drive are indexed to eject the next-up group of staples.