Surgical Stapling End Effector Rigid Link Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling technologies face challenges in maintaining alignment and applying uniform pressure across the length of anatomical structures during minimally invasive procedures, leading to incomplete staple formation and increased surgical time due to the need for multiple reloads and firings, especially for larger organs like the stomach.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with an end effector featuring a long, thin design that includes a rigid link system allowing for precise alignment and uniform pressure distribution, enabling a single cartridge and single firing to form a consistent staple line across the anatomical structure, with a blade and anvil configuration that maintains proper staple formation under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional surgical stapling device is used, then the device structure is simple, but alignment precision and pressure uniformity deteriorate leading to incomplete staple formation
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is divided into multiple functional segments including a first jaw, second jaw, anvil, cartridge, rigid link, and slot. Each segment performs a specific function: the rigid link provides structural support, the slot guides movement, the anvil forms staples, and the cartridge stores and deploys them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall staple formation consistency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector incorporates dynamic elements including the movable rigid link that translates axial motion into jaw closure, the slot that guides the blade movement, and the articulated coupling between jaws. These dynamic features enable precise control of jaw alignment and pressure distribution during the stapling process, ensuring consistent staple formation across the entire anatomical structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple reloads and firings are performed, then complete staple line coverage is achieved, but surgical time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is designed with a continuous staple deployment mechanism where the blade moves through the slot in a single continuous motion, driving staples sequentially from the cartridge along the entire length of the anatomical structure. This continuous action eliminates the need for multiple reloads and firings, achieving complete staple line coverage in a single operation while maintaining staple integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is pre-loaded with a complete sequence of staples positioned to match the blade travel path through the slot. The rigid link is pre-configured to provide the correct mechanical advantage for jaw closure throughout the entire stapling process. This preliminary preparation enables single-firing completion of the entire staple line without interruption.
3Reliability
If pressure is increased to ensure staple formation, then staple reliability improves, but tissue damage and misalignment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid link serves as an intermediary mechanical element that translates and distributes force uniformly across the jaw interfaces. The slot acts as an intermediary guide that constrains blade movement and ensures precise alignment during staple deployment. These intermediary components mediate between the actuation force and the tissue, distributing pressure evenly to ensure reliable staple formation without localized tissue damage or misalignment.
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
Enables efficient, minimally invasive stapling with consistent staple formation and reduced surgical time by allowing a single firing to complete procedures like sleeve gastrectomy, improving staple line integrity and reducing the risk of adverse events.
Implementation Method 1
a second coupling that movably couples the second end of the first jaw to the second end of the second jaw, where the second coupling includes a rigid link connected to the first jaw and the second jaw
Implementation Method 2
The second coupling may include a slot within the first jaw or the second jaw that retains the rigid link such that the rigid link is slidable within the slot
Implementation Method 3
a blade having a cutting surface and at least one lateral arm
Implementation Method 4
a cartridge operably configured to house a plurality of staples... operating the end effector to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge to staple the anatomical structure
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Embodiments include an end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient, the end effector including a first jaw having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and an anvil having an anvil face; a second jaw having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and a cartridge operably configured to house a plurality of staples, the cartridge having a cartridge face; a first coupling that couples the first end of the first jaw to the first end of the second jaw; and a second coupling that movably couples the second end of the first jaw to the second end of the second jaw, where the second coupling includes a rigid link connected to the first jaw and the second jaw.