Surgical Stapler Pusher Member Tapered Surface Friction Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face issues with frictional resistance and potential damage due to over-engagement of pusher members with staple cartridges and jaws, leading to reduced usability and potential damage during robotic surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pusher members with tapered surfaces and expandable flange members to reduce frictional resistance and prevent over-engagement, allowing for smoother operation and extended instrument lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pusher members are designed with conventional engagement features, then the stapler can achieve reliable staple deployment, but frictional resistance increases and component damage occurs due to over-engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher member incorporates an expandable flange that dynamically adjusts its engagement with the staple cartridge and jaw. During normal operation, the flange maintains controlled engagement for reliable staple deployment. When resistance increases or misalignment occurs, the flange can expand or retract to reduce frictional resistance and prevent damage, resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful frictional forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered surface on the pusher member changes the geometric parameter of engagement with the staple cartridge and jaw. This taper allows the pusher member to progressively engage and disengage, reducing sudden frictional resistance and preventing over-engagement damage while maintaining reliable staple deployment through controlled parameter variation.
2Reliability
If the pusher member engages firmly with the staple cartridge and jaw, then staple deployment is reliable, but excessive frictional resistance causes potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable flange provides dynamic engagement that adapts to operational conditions. During normal stapling, the flange maintains firm engagement for reliable staple deployment. When excessive resistance is detected or the cycle completes, the flange expands or retracts to protect components from damage, thus maintaining both reliability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered surface and expandable flange design incorporates beforehand cushioning mechanisms that prevent sudden impacts and excessive frictional forces from damaging components. The taper allows gradual engagement and disengagement, while the expandable flange provides a cushioning effect that absorbs excess forces before they can cause damage to the staple cartridge or jaw.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pusher member uses conventional flat surfaces, then manufacturing is simple, but frictional resistance is high and operation is rough
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable flange introduces dynamic movement capability to the pusher member, allowing it to adjust its contact surface area with the staple cartridge and jaw during operation. This dynamic adjustment reduces frictional resistance and smooths operation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of a single expandable component rather than multiple complex surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered surface introduces a curved geometric feature to the pusher member, replacing conventional flat surfaces. This curvature allows for smoother engagement and disengagement, reducing frictional resistance and improving operational smoothness while remaining relatively simple to manufacture using standard machining techniques.
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 solution enhances the operational efficiency and durability of surgical staplers by minimizing frictional resistance and preventing damage, thereby extending the instrument's usable life and reducing the need for excessive power usage or manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
pusher members with tapered surfaces and expandable flange members to reduce frictional resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an end effector and a drive system. The drive system is configured to drive a jaw closure assembly to provide the end effector in a first closed position. The drive system is further configured to operatively disengage the jaw closure assembly and operatively engage a firing assembly, then distally advance a firing member to actuate the end effector. The drive system is further configured to detect an initiation condition; and in response to detecting the initiation condition, operatively disengage the firing assembly and operatively re-engage the jaw closure assembly. The drive system is further configured to drive the jaw closure assembly to provide the end effector in a second closed position, then operatively disengage the jaw closure assembly and operatively re-engage the firing assembly. The drive system is further configured to distally advance the firing member further within the end effector to further actuate the end effector.