Surgical Stapler Sled Retaining Features for Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling instruments face issues with sled misalignment due to incidental movements during handling, leading to failed staple deployment and unnecessary replacement of components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of retaining features in the staple cartridge assembly to resist sled movement beyond a predetermined force, ensuring proper sled positioning and preventing premature activation of the firing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sled is made freely movable in the staple cartridge, then the staple deployment mechanism can be activated, but incidental movements during handling cause sled misalignment and failed deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining feature applies a preliminary restraining force to the sled in the opposite direction of potential incidental movements. This pre-applied counter-force prevents the sled from moving during handling before the actual deployment action is intended, thereby resolving the contradiction between allowing necessary movement and preventing unwanted movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static restrained state to a dynamic movable state through force threshold detection. The sled is dynamically controlled: restrained when forces are below the threshold (during handling), and freed when forces exceed the threshold (during intentional deployment), allowing the system to adapt its behavior based on operational conditions.
2Reliability
If the sled is restrained by retaining features, then sled misalignment is prevented, but the firing mechanism may be prematurely activated if the restraining force is too high
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining feature is designed with a specific force threshold parameter that distinguishes between incidental handling forces and intentional deployment forces. By carefully selecting this parameter, the system maintains sled stability during normal handling while allowing automatic activation when the applied force exceeds the threshold, thereby managing the complexity through a well-defined physical parameter.
3Device complexity
If the sled positioning is not controlled, then the structure is simpler, but component replacement is necessary due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining feature with force threshold capability provides self-regulating sled positioning without requiring complex external control systems. The feature automatically maintains proper sled position during handling and self-activates deployment when appropriate force is applied, eliminating the need for additional sensors, motors, or control circuitry while preventing misalignment-related failures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.