Surgical Stapling Buttress Release via Welded Joint

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical stapling apparatus require secondary materials and knife blades to release the buttress, increasing firing forces and material usage.

Innovation Solution

A surgical stapling apparatus with a buttress material joined to the tissue contacting surface by welds positioned over staple retaining slots, allowing the firing force to break the weld and release the buttress without additional materials or knife blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If secondary materials or mounting structures are used to attach the buttress to the surgical stapling apparatus, then the buttress can be securely attached, but the device complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the buttress attachment function with the staple cartridge structure by using welds that join the buttress directly to the tissue contacting surface. This eliminates the need for separate secondary materials or mounting structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining secure attachment. The welds integrate multiple functions (attachment and structural support) into a single unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a knife blade is used to cut the buttress or secondary material to release the buttress, then the buttress can be released from the surgical stapling apparatus, but the firing forces increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of buttress releaseVSAvoidfiring forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the knife blade cutting function from the buttress release mechanism. Instead of using a knife blade to cut through the buttress or secondary material, the design allows the buttress to be released by the natural separation of welded joints when staples are formed. This eliminates the need for high cutting forces while maintaining ease of buttress release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cutting system (knife blade) with a thermal joining system (welds) that can be broken by lower forces. The welds are designed to fail at controlled locations when subjected to the forces generated during staple formation, allowing buttress release without requiring the high forces needed for mechanical cutting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If secondary materials or mounting structures are used for buttress attachment, then the buttress can be released, but additional materials are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of buttress releaseVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Reduces the need for secondary materials and lowers firing forces by using welds to secure and release the buttress, enhancing the efficiency and simplicity of the stapling process.

Implementation Method 1

a buttress material including at least one weld joining the buttress material to the tissue contacting surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS9107667B2Surgical stapling apparatus including releasable buttress

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge body, a plurality of staples disposed within the cartridge body, a tissue contacting surface on the cartridge body defining staple retaining slots dimensioned to releasably retain a staple, and a buttress material including at least one weld joining the buttress material to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge body. The at least one weld is positioned to at least partially overlie a staple retaining slot.