Tilt Top Anvil Ratchet Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tiltable anvil heads in circular anastomosis staplers cannot maintain intermediate positions between the operative and fully tilted positions, which can be inhibited by excess tissue, limiting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A tilt anvil assembly with a center rod and head assembly that allows incremental pivoting in discrete steps between non-tilted and fully tilted positions, featuring a collar member with spring members that engage teeth on the post for locking at intermediate positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spring loaded tilting mechanism is used to tilt the anvil head, then the anvil head can be tilted from the operative position to the fully tilted position, but it cannot be maintained at any intermediate positions therebetween
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous tilting range is segmented into discrete intermediate positions using notches on the cam surface. The cam follower engages these notches to lock the anvil head at specific tilt angles, transforming a continuous motion into discrete stable positions.
Solution Approach 2:
A cam mechanism with notches serves as an intermediary between the spring-loaded tilting force and the anvil head position. The notches on the cam surface provide discrete engagement points that stabilize the anvil head at intermediate positions during tilting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the anvil head is designed to tilt to maximum rotation degree, then it can accommodate excess tissue, but excess tissue can inhibit the anvil from being tilted to its maximum rotation degree
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil head tilting mechanism is designed with dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the surgeon to selectively tilt the anvil head to different degrees based on tissue conditions. The notched cam mechanism enables dynamic selection of tilt angles to accommodate varying tissue volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt angle parameter can be changed to different discrete values using the notched cam mechanism. This allows adjustment of the anvil head orientation to optimize tissue accommodation and facilitate passage through the anastomotic ring based on actual surgical conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a ratchet/locking mechanism with spring members and teeth is added to maintain intermediate positions, then the anvil head can be locked at discrete steps, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the tilting mechanism itself. The cam surface with notches is integrated into the existing tilting structure, and the spring-loaded follower that drives tilting also engages the notches for locking, combining two functions into one mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded cam follower automatically engages the notches on the cam surface during tilting motion, providing self-locking at intermediate positions without requiring additional actuation. The mechanism uses the existing spring force to both drive tilting and maintain locked positions.
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 the anvil head to be partially tilted and maintained at specific positions, overcoming the limitation of existing tiltable anvil heads by allowing incremental movement and locking at various angles, enhancing surgical precision and tissue handling.
Implementation Method 1
The spring member of the collar member is configured to selectively engage the teeth of the post during pivotal movement of the head assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A tilt anvil assembly is disclosed which includes a center rod and a head assembly pivotally mounted to the center rod. The head assembly includes a housing, a post and an anvil plate. The head assembly is pivotally secured to the center rod and pivotal in relation to the center rod in discrete steps between a non-tilted position and a fully tilted position via a plurality of partially tilted positions. The head assembly is configured to maintain a partially tilted position.