Surgical Stapler with Electroactive Polymer Medical Substance Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers for minimally invasive procedures require additional devices or increased force to apply medical substances during tissue severing and stapling, complicating the process and potentially causing trauma to the tissue.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electrically controlled medical substance delivery mechanism through an elongate shaft to the end effector, utilizing an electroactive polymer plunger that responds to control circuitry to dispense medical substances simultaneously with tissue severing and stapling, reducing trauma and enhancing healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate device or increased force is used to apply medical substances during tissue severing and stapling, then the medical substance can be applied, but the device complexity increases and tissue trauma may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the medical substance dispensing function with the existing surgical stapler instrument by integrating a reservoir and dispensing mechanism into the instrument body. The reservoir is positioned within the instrument housing and communicates with the cutting surface through a controlled opening, allowing the stapler to perform both stapling and medical substance application without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument is designed to perform multiple functions: stapling tissue, severing tissue, and dispensing medical substances. The end effector incorporates both the staple cartridge and the medical substance reservoir, enabling a single instrument to execute complex surgical procedures that previously required multiple separate tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate device or increased force is used to apply medical substances, then the medical substance can be applied, but additional force requirement complicates the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the medical substance dispensing function with the existing surgical stapler instrument by integrating a reservoir and dispensing mechanism into the instrument body. The reservoir is positioned within the instrument housing and communicates with the cutting surface through a controlled opening, allowing the stapler to perform both stapling and medical substance application without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed to dispense medical substances automatically during the stapling operation. The actuation mechanism that drives the stapling process also triggers the medical substance dispensing, eliminating the need for separate manual activation and reducing the operational burden on the surgeon.
3Reliability
If medical substance is applied during tissue severing and stapling, then healing is enhanced, but the instrument requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the reservoir containing the medical substance is integrated within the instrument housing. The reservoir is positioned such that it communicates with the cutting surface through a controlled opening, allowing the medical substance to be delivered directly to the tissue during the stapling operation without requiring external delivery systems.
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
Enables precise and timely application of therapeutic treatments directly to the tissue during minimally invasive procedures, reducing post-operative recovery time and complications while maintaining a reliable instrument with extended shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical fluid dispenser in communication with the fluid passage responds to a dispensing signal from control circuitry to dispense a medical substance along the fluid passage to the cutting surface
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling and severing instrument enables minimally invasive surgical procedures by having upper and lower jaws (i.e., anvil and staple channel) that are positioned with an elongate shaft and handle through a surgical opening, and in particular through a cannula of a trocar. A pair of fluid bladders (lift bags) are positioned in the staple channel beneath a proximally projecting lever tray so that transfer of fluid from the handle causes closing and clamping of the anvil. The bi-directional fluid control may be mechanically produced at the handle or by activating an electroactive polymer actuator. Once firing is sensed, an EAP plunger in a medical substance syringe inserted into the elongate shaft is activated to dispense a medical substance (e.g., anesthetics, adhesives, cauterizing substances, antibiotics, etc.) and is guided along a firing bar to a cutting surface of an E-beam placing the substance on tissue as severed.