Detachable Surgical Buttress Anchor Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling apparatuses face challenges in effectively sealing and reinforcing thin or fragile tissues during endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures, particularly in preventing air or fluid leakage and tissue tears.
Innovation Solution
The surgical stapling apparatus incorporates a detachable surgical buttress secured to the anvil plate or staple cartridge using anchors, which are released by a drive assembly to free the buttress from the apparatus, enhancing tissue reinforcement and staple line integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a detachable surgical buttress is secured to the anvil plate or staple cartridge, then tissue reinforcement and staple line integrity are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for anchors and release mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical buttress is designed as a detachable component that can be separated from the stapling apparatus after use. The buttress, anchors, and release assembly are distinct separable elements, allowing the buttress to be secured during surgery and then detached for disposal or replacement without affecting the main apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical buttress is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. The detachable design allows the used buttress to be easily removed from the apparatus and disposed of, while the reusable anchors and release assembly remain on the stapling device for future operations.
2Ease of operation
If a detachable surgical buttress with release mechanism is implemented, then ease of operation is improved by allowing easy detachment and replacement, but device complexity increases due to additional release assembly components
Solution Approach 1:
The release assembly is designed to automatically release the anchors from the anvil plate or staple cartridge through a self-actuating mechanism. The drive assembly or cam member automatically triggers the release of the surgical buttress after the stapling operation is complete, eliminating the need for manual intervention to detach the buttress.
Solution Approach 2:
The release assembly incorporates movable components such as cam members and pushers that dynamically transition between locked and released states. The cam member rotates or moves along a guide path to transform the mechanical engagement of the anchors, enabling easy detachment of the buttress through a simple actuating motion.
3Reliability
If anchors are used to secure the surgical buttress, then reliability of tissue sealing is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for anchor engagement features
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor engagement system is segmented into distinct functional elements: the anchors themselves, the recesses in the anvil plate or staple cartridge, and the release mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, with standardized interfaces that reduce the cumulative precision requirements while ensuring reliable tissue sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.