Tissue Grasping Stapler Articulation for Guided Firing Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in precision and efficiency, particularly in navigating complex tissue structures and varying anatomical features during procedures like stomach sleeve creation, due to limitations in articulation and staple firing path control.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical stapling instrument with advanced articulation capabilities and a display system that allows for real-time control of the staple firing path, enabling precise tissue manipulation and adaptation to different anatomical features through a combination of motorized drive systems and a user interface that includes a touch-sensitive display and projectors for guiding the stapler.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional surgical stapling instruments are used, then the device structure is simple, but the precision and efficiency in navigating complex tissue structures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical stapling instrument is divided into multiple independent modules including a handle assembly, a rotatable distal head, and an articulation mechanism. The distal head can be rotated independently around the longitudinal axis, and the end effector can articulate relative to the distal head, allowing precise navigation through complex tissue structures while maintaining a manageable overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument incorporates dynamic components including a rotatable distal head that can rotate during the stapling procedure, and an articulation mechanism that allows the end effector to change its angular position. These dynamic features enable the instrument to adapt to varying anatomical features and complex tissue structures, improving manufacturing precision without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.
2Ease of operation
If advanced articulation capabilities and display systems are added, then real-time control of staple firing path is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument includes a display system that provides real-time visual feedback to the surgeon during the stapling procedure. The display shows the current position and orientation of the end effector, allowing the surgeon to control the staple firing path in real-time with precise feedback on the instrument's articulation and rotation status, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to handle multiple functions through a unified interface. The same motorized drive system controls both the rotation of the distal head and the articulation of the end effector, while the display system provides information for both functions. This multi-functionality approach improves ease of operation by consolidating controls while managing device complexity through integrated design.
3Productivity
If motorized drive systems are used, then precision and efficiency are enhanced, but the instrument requires more energy and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized drive system operates in periodic cycles, activating motors only when articulation or rotation is required during the stapling procedure. Between these periodic actions, the system maintains its position without continuous energy input. This periodic operation mode enhances surgical procedure efficiency by providing precise control when needed while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapler for stapling the tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical stapler comprises a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a tissue compression surface, a plurality of staples, and an anvil comprising staple forming pockets, wherein the anvil is movable toward the tissue compression surface during a closing stroke to clamp the patient tissue against and tissue compression surface. The surgical stapler further comprises an anvil closing system configured to move the anvil through the closing stroke, a staple firing system configured to deploy the staples during a staple firing stroke, and means for clamping and holding the patient tissue during the staple firing stroke and moving the end effector relative to the patient tissue after the staple firing stroke.