Surgical Stapler Jaw Closure Mechanism for Buttress Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers lack an effective means to secure adjunct elements, such as buttresses, to the jaws of the end effector, which can lead to staples pulling through tissue and risk of tearing, particularly during multiple actuations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and method involve securing buttress assemblies to the jaws of a surgical stapler's end effector using adhesive layers and applicator devices that allow for the attachment of buttress assemblies without closing the jaws, ensuring they remain adhered to the tissue after stapling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical staplers are used without securing adjunct elements to the jaws, then the device structure remains simple, but staples may pull through tissue and cause tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The adjunct element is pre-attached to the jaw surface using adhesive before the stapling operation. This preliminary action ensures that when staples are formed, they are immediately reinforced by the adjunct material, preventing pull-through and tissue tearing without requiring additional securing mechanisms during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
An adjunct element serves as an intermediary between the staple and the tissue. This intermediate layer distributes the mechanical stress and prevents direct concentration of force at the staple-tissue interface, thereby enhancing staple holding strength and preventing tissue damage.
2Reliability
If adjunct elements are secured to jaws during multiple actuations, then staple reliability improves, but the time required for application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive application and adjunct element attachment are performed as preliminary actions before the stapling sequence begins. This allows the adjunct element to be in place and ready for multiple actuations without requiring repeated application steps, thereby maintaining high reliability while minimizing time loss to a single initial application phase.
3Strength
If adhesive is applied to secure buttress assemblies, then structural reinforcement is achieved, but the complexity of the application process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive system is designed to be self-applying or self-positioning. The adhesive may be pre-coated on the jaw or applied through a mechanism that automatically positions the adjunct element, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment and application procedures. This maintains structural reinforcement while simplifying the application process.
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 solution provides structural reinforcement to staples, reducing the risk of staple pull-through and tissue tearing, while allowing for easy and repeated application of buttress assemblies during a surgical procedure.
Implementation Method 1
securing buttress assemblies to the jaws of a surgical stapler's end effector using adhesive layers
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is provided for applying an adjunct element to at least one of opposing first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein each of the first and second jaws includes a stapling surface and an external surface opposed from the respective stapling surface. The apparatus comprises: (a) a platform configured to be positioned between the first and second jaws of the end effector; (b) an adjunct element positioned on the platform; and (c) at least one closure surface opposed from the platform, wherein the at least one closure surface is configured to mechanically engage the external surface of at least one of the first or second jaws to thereby transition the end effector from an open state toward a closed state for placing the respective stapling surface of the at least one of the first or second jaws in contact with the adjunct element.