Circular Stapler Varying Wall Thickness Lumen Diameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices for circular anastomosis of hollow organs often result in stenosis and reduced lumen diameter, leading to impaired material flow and healing issues after surgery.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with a cylindrical outer housing portion featuring areas of varying wall thicknesses and longitudinally extending ribs, which includes an outer row of staple pockets positioned in thinner areas and a pusher back for driving staples into an anvil assembly, maximizing the internal lumen diameter by positioning staple pockets close to the inner surface and using a cylindrical knife blade to sever excess tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional stapling devices are used to perform circular anastomosis, then the organ sections can be joined, but the lumen diameter is reduced and stenosis occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The shell assembly incorporates regions of varying wall thickness, with thinner walls positioned at the staple pocket locations to allow greater staple line diameter and larger lumen formation, while thicker wall regions provide structural support where needed. This local variation in quality enables the stapler to achieve both reliable anastomosis and increased lumen diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional uniform wall thickness design to a three-dimensional wall structure with varying thicknesses in different radial positions. By utilizing the radial dimension variation, the stapler creates larger staple lines and increased lumen diameter while maintaining structural integrity through the thicker wall regions.
2Strength
If the wall thickness is increased to strengthen the shell, then structural integrity is improved, but the lumen diameter is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shell assembly incorporates regions of varying wall thickness, with thinner walls positioned at the staple pocket locations to allow greater staple line diameter and larger lumen formation, while thicker wall regions provide structural support where needed. This local variation in quality enables the stapler to achieve both reliable anastomosis and increased lumen diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell wall is segmented into different thickness zones: thinner wall regions at the staple pockets for lumen expansion and thicker wall regions for structural support. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its function independently, with thinner walls enabling larger lumen and thicker walls providing strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If the staple pockets are positioned farther from the inner surface, then manufacturing is easier, but the lumen diameter is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shell assembly incorporates regions of varying wall thickness, with thinner walls positioned at the staple pocket locations to allow greater staple line diameter and larger lumen formation, while thicker wall regions provide structural support where needed. This local variation in quality enables the stapler to achieve both reliable anastomosis and increased lumen diameter.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical stapling device (10) is provided having a shell assembly (30) including an outer housing portion (46) having areas of varying wall thicknesses. Individual staple pockets (52) in a row of staple pockets are positioned in areas of thinner wall thicknesses. Areas of increased wall thicknesses form longitudinally extending strengthening ribs (80) along an inner surface of the outer housing portion. The longitudinally extending strengthening ribs may be solid, indented in the wall of the outer housing portion and or bisected by a slot (76) extending through the outer housing portion.