Surgical Stapling Device Articulation Wobble Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopic surgical stapling devices with articulating tool assemblies tend to wobble when a force is applied, causing misalignment and difficulties for clinicians during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The surgical stapling device incorporates a mounting assembly with retention structures, including first and second hinges, mounting members, and engagement members, to securely retain the tool assembly in its non-articulated position until a predetermined force is applied, minimizing wobble.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the tool assembly is made pivotable for articulation, then access to tissue within body cavity is improved, but the tool assembly tends to wobble when in non-articulated position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation capabilityVSAvoidalignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The retention structure applies a preliminary restraining force to counteract the wobble tendency before it occurs. The engagement members are designed to maintain continuous contact with the recesses, providing preemptive stabilization that prevents misalignment when the tool assembly is in the non-articulated position during tissue grasping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the connection between tool assembly and elongate body by introducing engagement members with specific geometric features (recesses and protrusions). This modifies the degree of freedom and stiffness characteristics, allowing the system to maintain stability in the non-articulated position while preserving articulation capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If retention structure is added to minimize wobble, then stability in non-articulated position is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidmounting assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention structure is merged with the existing hinge mechanism by integrating engagement members into the mounting assembly components. The first and second mounting members incorporate engagement features directly into their structures, combining the stabilization function with the articulation mechanism rather than adding separate independent components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement members serve multiple functions: they provide the retention structure to prevent wobble, maintain the non-articulated position alignment, and work in conjunction with the hinge mechanism to enable controlled articulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12220124B2Surgical stapling device

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical stapling device (10) includes a tool assembly (16, 116) that is mounted for articulation between a non-articulated position and articulated positions. In order to minimize wobbling of the tool assembly (16, 116) in the non-articulated position of the tool assembly (16, 116), the surgical stapling device (10) includes a mounting assembly (20, 120) that includes retention structure to retain the tool assembly (16, 116) in the non-articulated position until a predetermined force is applied to the tool assembly (16, 116).