Compact Surgical Loading Unit with Angled Cam Pushers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical fastening instruments are limited by the size of their end effectors and loading units, which restrict their use in procedures requiring smaller diameters, such as pediatric surgeries or thin tissue locations, due to the constraints imposed by staple pushers, I-beam, actuation sled, and fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A loading unit with a compact design featuring a proximal body portion, end effector, actuation sled, and pushers, where the pushers have camming surfaces angled between 20° and 40°, allowing for distal translation and ejection of fasteners, and an outer diameter of about 5 mm, enabling insertion into smaller openings and greater versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional surgical fastening instruments are used, then effective tissue fastening capabilities are maintained, but the diameter of the end effector and loading unit is limited by the size of staple pushers, I-beam, actuation sled, and fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the actuation sled within the cartridge assembly, and positioning the staple pushers within the actuation sled's path. The I-beam is integrated into the cartridge structure, creating a nested arrangement where smaller components are housed within larger ones. This nesting strategy allows the instrument to achieve a smaller overall diameter while maintaining all necessary functional components for tissue fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reconfigures the arrangement of components from a traditional lateral layout to a more compact three-dimensional arrangement. The camming surfaces on the pushers are angled between 20° and 40° relative to the longitudinal axis, creating a more efficient spatial utilization. The actuation sled translates along a compact path, and the I-beam is positioned to optimize space within the loading unit, effectively using vertical and radial dimensions to reduce the overall diameter.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the diameter of the end effector is reduced for use in smaller openings, then applicability in pediatric surgeries is improved, but the size of internal components such as staple pushers and actuation sled must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of internal components to achieve compactness. The camming surfaces are designed with specific angles between 20° and 40°, which optimizes the mechanical advantage while reducing the longitudinal space required. The staple pushers are designed with compact dimensions that allow them to be actuated within the reduced diameter of the loading unit. The actuation sled is sized to translate efficiently within the constrained space, maintaining functional effectiveness while minimizing component size.
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
The compact design allows for the use of surgical instruments in smaller tissue locations and procedures, enhancing their applicability in pediatric surgeries and other thin tissue applications while maintaining effective tissue fastening capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The camming surface of each pusher in the first row is longitudinally aligned with the camming surface of each pusher in the second row. The first row is laterally offset from the second row.
Data Source
AI summary
A loading unit for engagement with a surgical instrument. The loading unit includes a proximal body portion, an end effector, an actuation sled, and pushers. The actuation sled is longitudinally translatable within a cartridge assembly. The pushers are disposed within the cartridge assembly. Each pusher includes a camming surface configured for engagement with the actuation sled. The camming surface of each pusher in a first row is longitudinally aligned with the camming surface of each pusher in a second row. The first row of pushers is laterally offset from the second row of pushers.