Surgical Stapler Anvil Camera for Staple and Hemostasis Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical stapling apparatus lack direct visualization during anastomosis procedures, making it challenging to ensure proper staple formation and hemostasis.

Innovation Solution

A surgical stapling apparatus with an integrated camera assembly tethered to the anvil assembly, allowing for inspection of staple formation and hemostasis through wireless image data transmission, enabling visualization of both sides of the anastomosis without additional endoscopes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If surgical stapling apparatus are used to simultaneously cut and seal tissue, then the time and risks involved with anastomosis procedures are reduced, but direct visualization of the surgical site is lost making it difficult to ensure proper staple formation and hemostasis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanastomosis procedure efficiencyVSAvoidvisualization of staple formation and hemostasis

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the surgical stapling apparatus with an integrated camera system, merging the fastening function with the visualization function into a single integrated device. The camera is positioned within the stapling apparatus to capture images of the staple formation and tissue hemostasis directly at the surgical site, eliminating the need for separate endoscopic equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the surgical stapling action and the surgeon's visual observation. It captures optical information from the surgical site and transmits it to a display system, allowing the surgeon to visualize staple formation and hemostasis without direct line of sight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a camera assembly is coupled to the anvil assembly to enable visualization, then direct inspection of staple formation is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection of staple formation and hemostasisVSAvoidstructure of surgical stapling apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anvil assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the forming surface for staples, maintains structural integrity during firing, and now also supports the camera assembly for visualization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated camera mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera assembly is nested within or integrated into the existing anvil assembly structure. The camera is positioned within the confines of the anvil's structural components, utilizing the existing space and framework rather than adding external attachments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4304494B1Surgical stapling apparatus with integrated visualization

Publication Date: 2025.07.09 COVIDIEN LP

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AI summary

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, and a camera assembly. The cartridge assembly supports an array of fasteners therein. The anvil assembly is movably positioned relative to the cartridge assembly between an unclamped position and a clamped position for forming the array of fasteners. The camera assembly is coupled to the anvil assembly and positioned to collect and transmit image data of a fastened tissue site.