Reusable Tilt Anvil Assembly for Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circular stapling devices for surgical procedures are not reusable, leading to increased medical costs due to the need for disposable instruments, and existing devices often fracture components during firing to facilitate anvil head tilting, which is not cost-effective for repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A surgical stapling device with a reusable tilt anvil assembly that includes a center rod assembly and an anvil head assembly, where the anvil head is pivotally secured and can be tilted from an operative position to a tilted position using a cut ring assembly and support members, allowing for reset to the operative position after use, enabling cost-effective reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a component is fractured during firing to facilitate tilting of the anvil head, then the anvil head can be tilted to reduce profile for insertion/removal, but the device cannot be reused and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil head assembly is pivotally secured to the center rod, allowing it to dynamically tilt between an operative position (aligned with longitudinal axis) and a tilted position (reduced profile). This dynamic capability enables insertion and removal while maintaining reusability, as the pivotal connection does not require fracturing components to activate.
Solution Approach 2:
The cut ring assembly changes its positional parameter between a retracted position (where it engages the center rod to retain the anvil head in operative position) and an advanced position (where it permits pivotal movement to tilted position). This parameter change enables the tilting function without component fracturing, allowing repeated use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the anvil head is pivotally supported to reduce profile during insertion/removal, then tissue trauma is minimized, but components may fracture during firing
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are positioned to extend into the recess and obstruct cut ring movement before firing occurs. This pre-positioning ensures that during the high-stress firing event, the support members are already in place to prevent unwanted movement and potential component fracturing, while still allowing the pivotal tilting function for tissue protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members act as intermediaries between the cut ring assembly and the recess. They control the interaction between these components, allowing smooth pivotal movement during insertion/removal while preventing harmful friction and stress during firing, thus maintaining component integrity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If support members obstruct cut ring assembly movement, then anvil head remains stable in operative position, but tilting mechanism cannot activate
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed to be movable rather than fixed. They dynamically change position from obstructing (extending into recess) to non-obstructing (retracted) based on the operational phase. This dynamic behavior allows them to provide stability during normal operation while permitting tilting activation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members undergo periodic movement between obstructing and non-obstructing positions. During insertion and removal, they are retracted to allow tilting. During firing and normal operation, they extend to provide stability. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between stability and tilting activation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device includes an anvil assembly having a center rod and an anvil head that is pivotally coupled to the center rod. The anvil head supports a cut ring assembly that is movable between a pre-fired or retracted position in which the cut ring is positioned to retain the anvil head in an operative position and an advanced position in which the cut ring assembly is positioned to allow movement of the anvil head to a tilted position. The anvil assembly also includes at least one support member that is movable from a pre-fired position extending into the anvil head to an advanced position extending from the distal end of the anvil head to allow the cut ring assembly to move from the first position to the second position. The at least one support member can be returned to the pre-fired position after the stapling device is fired and the anvil head has tilted to reset the anvil head to the operative position.