Threaded Trocar Assembly for Surgical Stapler Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circular stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively facilitating the selective positioning of an anvil assembly relative to a cartridge assembly, particularly in terms of trocar assembly design for adapter assemblies, which hinders sterilization and reuse.
Innovation Solution
A trocar assembly with a housing, a rotatably supported trocar member having a threaded body, and a drive member that causes longitudinal movement of the trocar member through rotation, allowing for both advancement and retraction, and featuring a second end cap with a threaded bore for secure engagement within an adapter assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the trocar assembly is made removable for sterilization and reuse, then ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional engagement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The trocar assembly is divided into separate components: a removable trocar member (120) with threaded engagement features and a housing (110) with corresponding threaded bore (105). This segmentation allows the trocar member to be manufactured separately, sterilized independently, and reassembled, reducing overall manufacturing costs while enabling reuse of the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
Threaded engagement features (threads 126a in the threaded bore 105) serve as an intermediary mechanism between the trocar member and housing. These threads provide a standardized interface that simplifies assembly and disassembly processes while maintaining secure engagement, balancing the need for removability with device integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the trocar member is threaded for rotational advancement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to threaded engagement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded body (126) of the trocar member engages with the threaded bore (105) to create a self-actuating advancement mechanism. When the drive member rotates the trocar member, the threads automatically convert rotational motion into longitudinal advancement, eliminating the need for separate cam mechanisms or linkage systems.
3Ease of operation
If the drive member is rotatably supported within the housing, then ease of operation is improved for advancing the trocar member, but device complexity increases due to rotational support mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with a direct rotational drive mechanism. The drive member (130) rotates within the housing to directly drive the trocar member through threaded engagement, substituting elaborate cam-follower mechanisms or gear trains with a simpler rotational-to-translational conversion system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective operation by allowing for easy attachment and detachment of the trocar assembly, reducing manufacturing costs and facilitating easier sterilization and reuse, while maintaining precise control over the anvil assembly's positioning.
Implementation Method 1
the trocar member (120) includes a threaded body (126). The second end cap (104) includes a threaded bore (105). The threaded body of the trocar member may be received through the threaded bore of the second end cap to cause the longitudinal movement of the trocar member during rotation of the drive member
Data Source
AI summary
A trocar assembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument includes a housing having a first end cap and a second end cap, a trocar member rotatably supported with the housing and movable between a retracted position and an advanced position, and a drive member rotatably supported within the housing. The trocar member includes a threaded body and defines a longitudinal channel. The drive member includes a drive portion received within the longitudinal channel of the trocar member. Rotation of the drive member causes longitudinal movement of the trocar member.