Circular Stapler with Segmented Barrel and Depth Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circular staplers have limited viewing windows and operating spaces, making it difficult for surgeons to accurately pull in and excise hemorrhoidal tissues, which can lead to adverse postoperative reactions such as constipation or sensory fecal incontinence due to incomplete tissue removal.
Innovation Solution
A circular stapler with a staple head assembly featuring a staple barrel with expanded openings and a sliding anvil assembly, providing a larger view window and accommodating more tissue, along with an indicator line to determine the depth of tissue pulled in, ensuring adequate tissue excision without excessive tissue removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the staple barrel opening is made small to allow string guiding instrument to pass through, then the instrument can be inserted, but the viewing window and operating space for surgeon are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The staple barrel opening is segmented into multiple sections: a proximal section with a larger diameter providing viewing window and operating space, and a distal section with a smaller diameter allowing instrument passage. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing different functions at different locations of the same structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening transitions from a uniform circular cross-section to a tapered geometry with varying diameter along the longitudinal axis. This dimensional change allows the opening to simultaneously accommodate large instruments for tissue manipulation proximally and small string guiding instruments distally.
2Quantity of substance
If the staple barrel accommodating space is made limited to control tissue depth, then tissue depth can be controlled, but the space is insufficient to accommodate more to-be-excised tissues
Solution Approach 1:
An indicator line is provided on the staple barrel that gives visual feedback to the surgeon about the depth of tissue pulled into the staple barrel. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to control the amount of tissue accommodated, preventing excessive tissue removal while still providing sufficient space for multiple hemorrhoids.
3Measurement precision
If no indicator is provided for tissue depth, then the structure is simple, but the surgeon cannot estimate the amount of tissue pulled in leading to poor postoperative performance
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator line is integrated directly into the staple barrel structure, serving dual purposes: it provides depth measurement information and is part of the staple barrel's structural integrity. This self-service approach provides measurement functionality without adding separate complex measurement devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A circular stapler and a staple head assembly thereof are disclosed. The staple head assembly comprises a staple barrel assembly and an anvil assembly. The anvil assembly includes an anvil ring and an anvil shaft which are fixedly connected to each other, where the anvil shaft is capable of sliding along the longitudinal direction in an expansion-stopping tube. The staple barrel assembly includes a staple barrel, a staple pusher piece arranged within the staple barrel and a staple cartridge fixed at a distal end of the staple barrel.