Reusable Surgical Stapling Locking Collar
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circular surgical stapling devices are not designed for reuse as the cartridge or shell assembly is fixedly attached, leading to disposal after a single use, whereas linear stapling devices can utilize disposable or replaceable loading units for multiple uses.
Innovation Solution
A loading unit and locking collar assembly that includes a shell assembly with a proximal annular ring and a locking collar with release surfaces, allowing the locking collar to transition between locked and unlocked configurations for secure attachment and detachment from the surgical instrument, enabling the reuse of the stapling device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cartridge or shell assembly is fixedly attached to the circular stapling device, then the attachment integrity is maintained, but the device cannot be reused and must be disposed of after single use
Solution Approach 1:
The locking collar is designed to transition between a locked configuration (providing secure attachment) and an unlocked configuration (enabling detachment). The collar includes a lock that extends radially inward to engage with the shell assembly in the locked configuration, and can be actuated to move radially outward for detachment, making the attachment dynamic rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct components: the locking collar, the lock element, and the shell assembly with lock opening. This segmentation allows the locking collar to be independently actuated to transition between locked and unlocked states, enabling the shell assembly to be securely attached or easily detached from the circular stapling device.
2Reliability
If the locking collar is designed with a lock that extends radially inward to penetrate the shell assembly, then secure attachment is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking collar includes resilient arms with release surfaces that can be actuated to move the lock radially outward. The resilient nature of the arms provides automatic return to the locked configuration after actuation, and the release surfaces engage with the push button mechanism to automatically reset the lock, reducing the complexity of additional resetting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking collar incorporates resilient arms made of flexible material that can deform radially to allow the lock to extend through the shell assembly during attachment, then return to their original position to maintain secure engagement. This flexibility simplifies the locking mechanism by eliminating the need for complex springs or actuators.
3Ease of operation
If the locking collar is made resilient to allow automatic return to locked configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking collar is designed as a disposable component that is pre-formed with integrated resilient arms. The resilient arms are molded or formed as a single piece with the collar, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing precision requirements for multiple components. The entire locking collar assembly can be replaced if needed.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A loading unit assembly includes a shell assembly and a locking collar. The shell assembly has a proximally extending annular ring that defines a cylindrical opening. The annular ring defines a lock opening that passes through the annular ring. The shell assembly defines a retention slot that is adjacent the annular ring on an opposite side of the annular ring from the lock opening. The locking collar is positioned about the annular ring and has a body, a lock, and a retention tab. The body includes a release surface. The locking collar has a locked configuration wherein the lock extends into the cylindrical opening and an unlocked configuration wherein the lock is disposed outwardly of the cylindrical opening. The side of the locking collar opposite the lock is prevented from moving outwardly in relation to the annular ring when the release surface is pressed inwardly towards the annular ring.