Articulatable Surgical Stapler Lockout to Prevent Tissue Shear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical staplers allow the end effector to be articulated relative to the shaft assembly after the jaw members are closed, potentially applying shear forces to the captured soft tissue, requiring repositioning and reopening of the end effector for reorientation.

Innovation Solution

A locking mechanism is integrated into the surgical instrument to prevent the end effector from being articulated after closure, ensuring the relative position between the end effector and shaft assembly is fixed, providing feedback to the surgeon to re-open the end effector before repositioning is possible.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the end effector is made articulatable relative to the shaft assembly, then the ability to reposition the end effector is improved, but the risk of applying shear forces to captured soft tissue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning capabilityVSAvoidshear force on soft tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic controllable state. The articulation mechanism allows the end effector to be locked in a straight configuration during stapling to prevent shear forces, then dynamically unlocked and repositioned after stapling is complete, providing adaptability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary locking of the end effector in a straight configuration before stapling occurs. This preliminary action prevents the articulation joint from moving during the critical stapling process, eliminating shear forces on captured tissue. The joint can be unlocked for repositioning only after the stapling operation is complete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent articulation during closure, then tissue damage is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidlocking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is merged with the existing articulation joint structure. The lockout feature is integrated into the articulation assembly itself, working in conjunction with the articulation joint rather than being a separate independent system. This merging approach provides the necessary locking function while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12508026B2Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effector

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise an end effector including a staple cartridge and a datum portion positioned proximal to the staple cartridge. The surgical instrument can further comprise a shaft and an articulation joint configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft. In addition, the surgical instrument can further comprise a firing member configured to deploy a plurality of staples from the staple cartridge and a drive assembly including a drive member configured to move the firing member. The drive assembly may also include a stop configured to engage the datum portion to limit the movement of the drive member after the plurality of staples are fired.