Surgical Stapler Cartridge Retainer with Integrated Ejector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face challenges in securely retaining staples within the cartridge and efficiently removing spent cartridges from the end effector, leading to potential operator errors and difficulties during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A retainer system with latch arms and a cartridge removal feature is integrated into the surgical stapler, allowing secure retention of staples and facilitated removal of spent cartridges, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the risk of errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional surgical stapler cartridge is used without an integrated retainer system, then the device structure remains simple, but staples may be lost and spent cartridge removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the elongate body covers staple apertures to prevent loss, latch members secure the retainer to the cartridge, and the cartridge removal feature enables spent cartridge extraction. This consolidation improves reliability while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a staple retention cover, a secure attachment mechanism via latch members, and a cartridge removal tool. This multi-functionality addresses multiple problems (staple loss, retention security, cartridge removal) with a single device, improving overall system reliability.
2Productivity
If manual removal of spent cartridges is used without specialized features, then the device structure remains simple, but operator efficiency decreases and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge removal feature is designed to be self-explanatory and self-operating, with the elongate body and gap configuration providing intuitive engagement with the cartridge. The feature enables the operator to easily extract spent cartridges without requiring additional tools or complex procedures, improving productivity while keeping the design straightforward.
3Ease of operation
If additional instruments are used for cartridge removal, then removal capability is improved, but the number of instruments in the operating room increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system's elongate body serves dual purposes: it protects staple apertures during storage and transport, and it provides the cartridge removal feature for spent cartridge extraction. This eliminates the need for separate removal instruments, improving ease of operation while reducing the total number of instruments required in the operating room.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an elongate body, at least one latch member, and a cartridge removal feature. The elongate body is sized and shaped to correspond with a deck of a surgical staple cartridge such that the elongate body is configured to cover a plurality of staple apertures of the surgical staple cartridge. The at least one latch member is configured to removably secure the elongate body to the surgical staple cartridge. The cartridge removal feature is integral with the elongate body. The cartridge removal feature defines a gap that is configured to receive a portion of the surgical staple cartridge. The cartridge removal feature is further operable to remove the surgical staple cartridge from a surgical stapler.