Linear Surgical Stapler Latch Design for Stable Tissue Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear surgical staplers lack efficient mechanisms for securely clamping, cutting, and stapling tissue layers during gastrointestinal anastomosis procedures, particularly in maintaining a stable grip and minimizing user input force.
Innovation Solution
The linear surgical stapler features a cartridge half with a clamp lever and anvil half that pivot relative to each other, incorporating a retaining assembly with anvil and detent members to securely hold the halves together, a firing assembly for simultaneous cutting and stapling, and tissue gripping members to stabilize tissue, ensuring effective stapling and cutting with reduced user force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional linear surgical stapler design is used, then the basic stapling function is achieved, but the clamping stability and tissue compression consistency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil and detent members are pre-configured in the retaining assembly to automatically engage and lock the stapler halves together upon closure, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during the procedure and ensuring consistent clamping stability from the moment of engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the clamp lever and the stapler halves, providing a mechanical linkage that translates user input into precise, stable engagement of the anvil and detent members, thereby improving clamping reliability while minimizing the force required
2Ease of operation
If the clamp lever is designed for easy opening and closing, then user input force is reduced, but the secure holding of stapler halves together is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping function is segmented into two independent systems: the clamp lever for easy opening/closing operation and the retaining assembly with anvil and detent members for secure holding. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil and detent members are designed to self-engage and self-lock when the clamp lever is closed, automatically securing the stapler halves together without requiring additional user action or complex locking mechanisms, thereby maintaining holding stability while preserving ease of operation
3Manufacturing precision
If tissue gripping members are added to stabilize tissue, then stapling precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue gripping members are merged with the existing deck structure of the stapler, integrating the tissue stabilization function into the current design framework rather than adding separate components. This reduces overall device complexity while still achieving improved stapling precision through enhanced tissue positioning
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes first and second elongate members having first and second stapling surfaces and being configured to releasably couple together. A clamp member is movable from a first position to a second position to approximate the stapling surfaces for clamping tissue. A latch member is transitionable from an unlatched state to a latched state to releasably retain the clamp member in the second position. A firing assembly is actuatable from a home position to fire staples into the clamped tissue. The latch member is transitionable from the unlatched state to the latched state when the clamp member is in the second position while the firing assembly is in the home position. The latch member is inhibited from transitioning from the unlatched state to the latched state when the clamp member is in the second position while the firing assembly is displaced from the home position.