Surgical Stapler End Effector With Rigid-Link Jaw Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical stapling technologies face challenges in efficiently stapling and resecting anatomical structures during minimally invasive procedures, particularly in ensuring precise staple deployment and effective cutting without causing excessive tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

The use of an end effector with a first jaw and a second jaw, coupled by a rigid link, which includes a cartridge for staples and a blade, allowing for precise stapling and cutting of anatomical structures through a minimally invasive approach, with features like buttresses and channels for staple deployment and tissue resection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rigid link is used to couple the anvil and cartridge, then the structural stability and precision of staple deployment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of staple deploymentVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid link is nested within the end effector structure, with the anvil and cartridge positioned at opposite ends of the link. This integration allows the rigid link to provide structural stability while maintaining a compact overall device configuration, reducing the apparent complexity despite the added structural element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The end effector is segmented into distinct functional components (anvil, cartridge, rigid link, jaw) that are coupled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while the rigid link ensures precise relative positioning, improving staple deployment precision without requiring complete redesign of the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the anvil and cartridge are movably coupled, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of staple formation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability of staple formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic movable coupling between the anvil and cartridge. The rigid link maintains structural integrity while allowing controlled movement, enabling the device to adapt during operation (closing/opening jaws, deploying staples) while preserving reliable staple formation through the constrained movement paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260060679A1Stapling systems and methods for surgical devices and end effectors

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 STANDARD BARIATRICS INC

AI summary

An end effector is disclosed for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a minimally invasive procedure. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first end, a second end, an anvil having an anvil face, and a first channel; and a second jaw having a first end, a second end, a cartridge having a cartridge face, and a second channel. A first coupling couples the first end of the first jaw to the first end of the second jaw. A second coupling movably couples the second end of the first jaw to the second end of the second jaw. The second coupling may include a rigid link. The end effector may include a blade having a cutting edge, an upper lateral arm slidably positioned in the first channel, and a lower lateral arm slidably positioned in the second channel.