Tear-Away Introducer for Surgical Stapler Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The introduction and positioning of circular surgical staplers in anatomical locations, such as the gastrointestinal tract, are challenging due to their flat surface design, which encounters obstructions and irregularities, and existing solutions have not provided reliable and easy detachment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A 'tear-away' introducer system with distal petals or fingers that detachably mount to the surgical stapler, featuring C-shaped brackets and a flexible design to guide the stapler past anatomical obstructions, allowing for easy detachment and positioning, facilitating access to hard-to-reach areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circular stapler with a flat surface design is used, then the stapling function is effective, but the introduction and positioning through anatomical lumens becomes difficult due to obstructions and irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer is divided into multiple segments including a tapered tip portion, a body portion, and a distal portion with circumferential members. This segmentation allows the introducer to navigate anatomical irregularities while maintaining structural integrity for reliable stapling.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer acts as an intermediary device that facilitates the introduction of the circular stapler through difficult anatomical passages. The introducer's tapered design and flexible structure enable it to pass through obstructions first, then guide the stapler into position without direct manipulation of the stapler itself.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid flat surface design is used for the stapler, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to navigate through redundant mucosa and prominent valves is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer incorporates a tapered tip portion and circumferential members that can deform and adapt to curved anatomical structures. This curvature allows the device to navigate redundant mucosa and prominent valves while the rigid stapler remains protected within the introducer's structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and adapt its shape as it passes through anatomical irregularities. The circumferential members can move relative to each other, enabling the introducer to conform to varying lumen shapes while maintaining structural support for the stapler.
3Ease of operation
If existing introducer designs are used, then some introduction capability is provided, but reliable and easy detachment mechanisms are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer is designed with pre-configured detachment features including the circumferential members that can be easily separated from the stapler. The mounting and detachment mechanisms are prepared in advance, allowing for quick and reliable detachment after the stapler has been positioned, without requiring complex manipulation during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An introducer assembly for use with a surgical stapler is provided. The introducer assembly includes an elongated main body portion, one or more mounting mechanisms associated with the main body portion, and a plurality of petals or fingers positioned at a distal end of the elongated main body portion. The one or more mounting mechanisms are adapted to detachably mount with respect to the surgical stapler. The plurality of petals or fingers define a distal junction and a proximally-directed mounting member that is adapted to detachably engage a distal portion of the surgical stapler. The plurality of petals or fingers define an inner region that accommodates a distal end of the surgical stapler. The distal junction and the proximally-directed mounting member associated with the plurality of petals or fingers are adapted to disengage upon application of a requisite proximally-directed force to the elongated body portion. Methods and combinations that utilize the introducer are also disclosed.