Stapling Instrument with Resettable Drivers for Sequential Cartridge Advancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous surgical stapling instruments require removing the end effector from the surgical site to replace spent staple cartridges, increasing procedure time and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling instrument assembly with a shaft containing multiple staple cartridges and a firing member that moves along a firing path, allowing sequential advancement of new staple cartridges into the end effector without removing it from the site, using a cartridge driver and firing member with inclined and declined surfaces to manage staple drivers and cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the end effector is removed from the surgical site to replace spent staple cartridges, then the staple cartridge can be replaced, but the procedure time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The staple cartridge is divided into multiple individual staple drivers that can be independently advanced and fired. Each staple driver can be sequentially positioned and activated without removing the end effector, allowing continuous stapling operation. The cartridge body holds multiple staples while the firing mechanism operates independently for each staple driver.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple staple cartridges are pre-loaded into the shaft in advance, with each cartridge containing multiple staple drivers. The system is configured so that when one cartridge is depleted, the next cartridge is already positioned and ready to be advanced into the end effector without removal, enabling continuous operation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple staple cartridges are stored in the shaft, then continuous stapling is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple staple cartridges are nested within the shaft in a compact arrangement, with each cartridge containing multiple staple drivers. The cartridges are positioned sequentially within the shaft, allowing them to be advanced one after another into the end effector. This nesting approach enables continuous stapling while keeping the overall device structure organized and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
A cartridge driver acts as an intermediary mechanism between the shaft and the end effector, responsible for advancing individual staple cartridges into the end effector's channel. The cartridge driver simplifies the interaction between the stored cartridges and the firing mechanism, making the system easier to control and operate despite having multiple cartridges available.
3Extent of automation
If the firing member moves staple drivers between positions using inclined and declined surfaces, then automatic resetting is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The firing member performs periodic reciprocating motions between proximal and distal positions, automatically resetting the staple drivers through inclined and declined surfaces during each cycle. This periodic action ensures that staple drivers are systematically advanced and reset without manual intervention, achieving automation while using straightforward geometric features that are relatively easy to manufacture.
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 continuous stapling without the need to remove the end effector from the surgical site, reducing procedure time and improving efficiency by allowing sequential loading and firing of staple cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
The firing member is configured to engage the staple drivers and move each staple driver from a first position into a second position as the firing member is moved from the proximal portion to the distal portion
Implementation Method 2
The firing member comprises at least one inclined surface and at least one declined surface, and each staple driver comprises: a lifting surface configured to be contacted by the at least one inclined surface when the firing member moves the staple drivers between the first position and the second position
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3
AI summary
A surgical stapling instrument (100) comprising a handle (160) comprising a trigger; a shaft (110), a plurality of staple cartridges (130) positioned within said shaft, wherein each said staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body (132) and a plural-ity of staples (190); a jaw (121) configured to receive a staple cartridge, a plurality of staple drivers (180) positioned within the jaw configured to eject staples from the staple cartridge, and a firing member (170) configured to engage the staple drivers as the firing member is advanced from an unfired position to a fired position, the instrument further comprising a cartridge driver (140) configured to sequentially advance a said staple cartridge (130) into the channel (122) of the jaw (121).