Surgical Stapling Jaw Tissue Pockets Prevent Migration

Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical stapling apparatuses face the challenge of tissue migration from the stapling area due to compressive forces during the stapling process, which can lead to incomplete stapling and reduced effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating tissue pockets on the jaw members of the surgical stapling apparatus, which are designed to capture and retain tissue, preventing migration by positioning them between staple retention slots or pockets, and along peripheral edges, thereby maintaining tissue in place during the stapling process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If compressive forces are applied to tissue during stapling to ensure proper staple formation, then staple quality is improved, but tissue migrates from the stapling area reducing stapling effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaple formation qualityVSAvoidtissue retention in stapling area

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Tissue pockets are pre-formed in the jaw members before stapling begins. These pockets are positioned to receive and hold tissue in the stapling area, preventing migration before it can occur during the compressive stapling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The jaw members are designed with localized tissue pockets at specific positions where tissue support is needed. These pockets create localized tissue engagement zones that prevent migration at critical areas while allowing uniform compression across the stapling surface for proper staple formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the drive member travels longitudinally through the staple cartridge to eject staples sequentially, then complete stapling across the tissue width is achieved, but tissue migrates away from the stapling area due to compressive forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestapling coverageVSAvoidtissue position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Tissue pockets are pre-formed in the jaw members before stapling begins. These pockets are positioned to receive and hold tissue in the stapling area, preventing migration before it can occur during the compressive stapling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple tissue pockets are distributed across the jaw members at different longitudinal positions corresponding to where different staples will be formed. This segmented approach provides continuous tissue support throughout the entire stapling sequence as the drive member travels longitudinally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If tissue is captured between opposing jaw members for stapling, then stapling is achieved, but tissue migrates from the stapling area in response to compressive forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue captureVSAvoidstapling completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Tissue pockets are pre-formed in the jaw members before stapling begins. These pockets are positioned to receive and hold tissue in the stapling area, preventing migration before it can occur during the compressive stapling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The jaw members are designed with localized tissue pockets at specific positions where tissue support is needed. These pockets create localized tissue engagement zones that prevent migration at critical areas while allowing uniform compression across the stapling surface for proper staple formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11771429B2Surgical stapling apparatus with tissue pockets

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An end effector includes a cartridge assembly having a first tissue contact surface, an anvil assembly having a second tissue contact surface, and one or more tissue pockets defined in one of the first or second tissue contact surfaces. The anvil and the cartridge assemblies are moveable between an open position and a closed position to selectively clamp tissue between the first and second tissue contact surfaces. Each tissue pocket is configured to capture tissue therein while the anvil and the cartridge assemblies are disposed in the closed position. Each tissue pocket is configured to prevent the tissue from migrating away from the first and second tissue contact surfaces while the tissue is clamped between the first and second tissue contact surfaces.