Circular Stapler Audible Indicator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circular stapling devices lack an audible indicator mechanism that provides a clear and distinct sound to clinicians for completing firing strokes and anvil assembly movements, which can lead to uncertainty during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device equipped with a spring-biased clicker mechanism within the handle assembly, which provides enhanced audible feedback through a pin moving within a pin slot or cavity, indicating the completion of firing strokes and anvil assembly movements, ensuring clear communication of device operations to clinicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a spring-biased clicker mechanism with pin moving in pin slot is implemented, then audible indication clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the spring-biased clicker that provides audible signals to the clinician. The clicker is biased by a spring and engages with the pin slot to produce distinct audible indications at specific positions, providing real-time feedback on the operational state of the device without requiring complex electronic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin slot acts as an intermediary element between the moving component and the clicker mechanism. The pin moves within the pin slot to guide the clicker's movement and trigger the audible indications, serving as a simple mechanical mediator that translates device state changes into audible feedback.
2Loss of information
If multiple audible indications are provided for different operations, then operational feedback is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring-biased clicker mechanism serves multiple functions by providing different audible indications for different operational states. The same clicker component produces distinct audible signals at different positions (first position for initial state, second position for firing completion, third position for anvil movement), making the mechanism multi-functional rather than requiring separate indicators for each state.
3Measurement precision
If the pin slot guides clicker movement through multiple positions, then indication precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pin slot is designed with varying geometric characteristics at different locations to achieve different functions. The slot has specific width, depth, and orientation at each position (first, second, and third positions) to guide the clicker to precise locations. This local variation in geometry allows the single pin slot structure to provide multiple precise indications without requiring uniformly high manufacturing tolerances throughout the entire component.
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 clarity of device operations by providing distinct audible indications for firing stroke completion and anvil assembly positioning, ensuring precise control and minimizing trauma to patients during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an audible indicator mechanism including a spring biased clicker
Implementation Method 2
provides an enhanced audible indication to a clinician
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes a handle assembly that supports an audible indicator mechanism including a spring biased clicker. The spring biased clicker includes a pin that is received within a pin slot or cavity in the housing of a stationary handle of the handle assembly. The pin is movable through the cavity in response to actuation of the firing trigger assembly and unapproximation of the anvil assembly to guide movement of the clicker such that the clicker 1) provides an enhanced audible indication to a clinician that the firing stroke of a firing trigger has been completed, and 2) provides an enhanced indication to a clinician that the anvil assembly has been moved back to the unapproximated or spaced position after the firing stroke has been completed.