Surgical Anvil Tilting Mechanism for Tissue Trauma Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently tilting the anvil head during surgical procedures, which can lead to tissue trauma and complications.
Innovation Solution
A surgical anvil assembly with a locking assembly that includes an inner member, an outer member, and a post, allowing the anvil head to pivot between an operative and a tilted condition by selectively engaging and disengaging the backup member with the anvil center rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the anvil head is rigidly fixed to the center rod, then structural stability is improved, but tissue trauma increases and surgical maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil head is made dynamically adjustable through a locking assembly that allows it to be fixed in an operative position for stability during stapling, or tilted to a removed position for withdrawal from the tissue section. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing both structural stability when needed and reduced tissue trauma when withdrawing.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly is divided into separate components including an inner member, outer member, and post that can move independently. This segmentation allows the anvil head to be selectively locked or tilted without affecting the entire device, enabling controlled movement that reduces tissue trauma while maintaining operational stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the anvil head is made tiltable to reduce tissue trauma, then surgical maneuverability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the anvil head and center rod, providing a controlled means for tilting the anvil head. This intermediary structure manages the complexity by confining the tilting mechanism to a specific location and using simple mechanical components (inner member, outer member, post) rather than complex actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly is designed to be manually operated by the surgeon during the procedure, allowing the anvil head to be tilted or locked without requiring additional motors, sensors, or complex control systems. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining the necessary tilting functionality.
3Measurement precision
If a locking assembly with multiple members is used to control anvil head tilting, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly applies control precision locally at the interface between the anvil head and center rod through the interaction of the inner member, outer member, and post. Rather than controlling the entire device with high precision, the local quality of the locking mechanism provides sufficient control exactly where needed, reducing the overall complexity requirement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical anvil assembly for use with a circular stapling instrument includes an anvil center rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head pivotally coupled to the anvil center rod and movable between a first operative condition and a second tilted condition. The anvil assembly further includes a locking assembly configured to selectively lock the anvil head in each of the first and second conditions.