Surgical Stapling Cartridge With Empty Slot Rows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently joining tissue with varying thicknesses and in providing clear access for pathological detection and testing after stapling, as they often require multiple staple rows that can obstruct inspection.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a cartridge assembly featuring three rows of slots on each side of a longitudinal channel, where the middle and outer rows are devoid of staples, allowing for a single curved row of staples on one side with fewer staples, facilitating easier tissue inspection and potential pathological testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple rows of staples are used to join tissue with varying thicknesses, then the reliability of tissue joining is improved, but the ability to perform pathological detection and inspection deteriorates due to staple obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into multiple slot rows (first row, second row, third row) with different staple configurations. The first row has staples for reliable tissue joining, while the second and third rows have empty slots that do not deploy staples, creating clear inspection pathways for pathological detection while maintaining joining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cartridge have different qualities: the first row slots contain staples for secure tissue attachment, while the second and third row slots are intentionally left empty to provide unobstructed views for pathological inspection. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliable joining and detectability.
2Ease of operation
If a single curved row of staples is used to facilitate tissue inspection, then the ease of operation for pathological testing is improved, but the reliability of tissue joining may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is segmented into functional rows: the first row provides reliable tissue joining with staples, while the second and third rows are segmented as empty slots that curve along the cartridge length, creating inspection pathways without compromising the primary joining function.
Solution Approach 2:
The empty slots in the second and third rows are arranged in a curved configuration along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, creating a three-dimensional inspection pathway that allows pathological testing from multiple angles while maintaining the integrity of the staple row for reliable joining.
3Ease of operation
If empty slots are provided in the cartridge for reduced staple interference, then the ease of inspection is improved, but the quantity of staples required deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Staples are extracted from the second and third row slots, leaving these positions empty. This removal of staples from specific locations creates clear inspection pathways for pathological testing while maintaining adequate staple quantity in the first row for reliable tissue joining.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a cartridge, a longitudinal channel, a first row of slots, and a second row of slots. The cartridge has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal channel extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The first row of slots is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the first row of slots is empty. The second row of slots is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the second row of slots has a staple disposed therein.