Surgical Stapler Sled Detents for Premature Firing Restraint

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopic surgical staplers face issues with sleds inadvertently advancing distally before an intended firing stroke, leading to premature staple ejection and potential tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multiple, longitudinally-successive detented positions and interference fitments between the sled and cartridge body to restrain the sled, preventing premature distal advancement and ensuring controlled staple ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single longitudinal restrained position is provided for the sled, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the sled can be inadvertently advanced if the restrained position is overcome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesled position controlVSAvoidrestraining feature structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restraining feature is segmented into multiple detents positioned at different longitudinal locations along the sled. Each detent provides a separate restrained position, so that if one detent is overcome, other detents continue to restrain the sled. This segmentation transforms a single-point failure system into a multi-point redundant system, significantly improving reliability without requiring complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple detents act as a form of beforehand cushioning by providing progressive restraint positions. If an unexpected force advances the sled past one detent, the system has already prepared additional restrained positions that will catch the sled, preventing premature staple ejection. This is analogous to having backup safety mechanisms ready before a failure can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If multiple detented positions are provided for the sled, then the reliability of preventing premature firing is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of premature staple ejectionVSAvoidnumber of detents and engagement features

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple detents and their corresponding engagement features are merged into a single integrated restraining mechanism within the staple cartridge. Rather than implementing separate restraint systems, the invention combines multiple detents along the sled with corresponding engagement features in the cartridge body to form one cohesive structure. This merging approach provides multiple restrained positions while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single complex active locking mechanism that requires control systems, the invention inverts the approach by using multiple simple passive detents. The restraint is achieved through the geometry and arrangement of detent features rather than through active control, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the sled is freely movable to allow rapid staple ejection, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of inadvertent advancement and premature firing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaple ejection speedVSAvoidcontrolled staple ejection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sled transitions from a static restrained state to a dynamic fired state through controlled release of the detent engagement. During normal operation, the sled remains restrained by the detents, preventing inadvertent movement. Upon intentional firing, the sled dynamically advances past the detents to eject staples rapidly. This dynamic design allows the system to maintain reliability during storage and handling while achieving high productivity during intended operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12558094B2Sled retention and alignment features for surgical stapler

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

A sled (182) for a surgical stapler, the sled including: a base, a plurality of rails, a first detent, and a second detent. The base being configured to translate distally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler through a firing stroke to eject a plurality of staples into tissue. The plurality of rails (184, 185) extending upwardly from the base and configured to guide distal translation of the sled within the jaw through the firing stroke. The first sled detent (188A, 188B, 189) positioned on a lateral half of the sled. The second sled detent (188A, 188B, 189) positioned on the lateral half of the sled. Wherein each of the first and second sled detents is configured to independently inhibit the sled from translating distally relative to the jaw prior to the firing stroke.