Surgical Stapler Layout for Linear Staples and Purse String Sutures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing minimally invasive surgical instruments face challenges in applying purse string sutures consistently and efficiently, particularly in bowel anastomosis procedures, due to difficulties in manual placement, non-compliant knots, and limited tissue cuff between staple lines, leading to potential complications with circular staplers.

Innovation Solution

A surgical stapling instrument with an elongate shaft and end effector featuring first and second jaws that apply both linear staples and a purse string suture simultaneously, allowing for increased tissue cuff and compliance through a suture holding member that secures the suture without knots, and a design that enhances maneuverability and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual purse string suture placement is used, then flexibility is maintained, but placement consistency and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurse string suture placement efficiencyVSAvoidmanual placement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument enables self-service by automatically applying the purse string suture through its mechanical structure. The suture is loaded into the instrument and applied to the tissue cuff without requiring manual knot tying or complex manual manipulation, allowing the device to perform the suture application function autonomously during the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument merges multiple functions into a single device: it combines linear staple application, circular staple application, and purse string suture application. This integration allows the surgeon to perform all three operations with one instrument, improving efficiency and consistency while reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple separate manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If non-compliant knots are used for purse string suture, then suture security is improved, but tissue damage and rupture risk worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture securityVSAvoidtissue damage and rupture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument replaces the traditional mechanical knot-tying system with a mechanical suture application mechanism. Instead of relying on surgeon-manipulated knots that can be non-compliant and cause tissue damage, the instrument uses a controlled mechanical delivery system that applies the suture through the tissue cuff in a consistent, compliant manner, reducing tissue damage and rupture risk while maintaining suture security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If limited tissue cuff is used between staple lines, then instrument size is reduced, but anastomosis reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanastomosis reliabilityVSAvoidinstrument size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument incorporates dynamic jaw positioning and articulation mechanisms that allow the end effector to adapt to different tissue configurations. The jaws can dynamically adjust their position and angle to accommodate varying tissue cuff sizes while maintaining optimal stapling geometry, enabling reliable anastomosis with adequate tissue cuff without requiring a larger instrument overall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If complex multi-step suture application is used, then suture placement precision is improved, but procedure time and complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuture placement precisionVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument performs preliminary action by pre-loading the suture into the device and pre-positioning it for application. The suture is loaded and configured within the instrument before use, so that when the instrument is applied to the tissue, the suture is ready for immediate application without requiring time-consuming manual preparation or multiple steps to position and secure the suture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250359870A1Surgical instrument with linear and purse string suture staples

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A surgical stapling instrument is configured to dissect tissue, apply a linear staple line along one side of the tissue dissection and apply a suture, such as a purse string suture, to the other side of the tissue dissection. The instrument comprises an elongate shaft, first and second jaws configured to open and close and a cutting element. The instrument includes a first row of staples in each of the first and second jaws having a suture extending therethrough and a second row of staples in the second jaw. A drive member is configured to translate distally through the end effector to dissect tissue with the cutting element, drive the second row of staples into the tissue on one side of the dissection and to apply the first row of staples and suture in combination to form a purse string suture on the other side of the tissue dissection.