Tissue Stop Camming Mechanism for Surgical Stapler
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in effectively retaining and managing tissue during surgical procedures, particularly in ensuring secure tissue positioning between jaw members, which can lead to incomplete stapling or tissue displacement.
Innovation Solution
The surgical instrument incorporates a tissue stop mechanism with a camming system and biasing member, allowing the tissue stop to move between positions to securely retain tissue between jaw members, featuring a combination of stamped metal and overmolded plastic sections for enhanced functionality and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tissue stop mechanism is added to securely retain tissue between jaw members, then tissue retention and stability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue stop is nested within the jaw member structure, specifically positioned within a recess of the first jaw member. The camming pin is received within a camming slot also formed in the jaw member. This nesting approach allows the tissue stop mechanism to be integrated into the existing jaw structure without adding significant external complexity, while still providing reliable tissue retention between the jaw members during surgical procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If a camming system with movable tissue stop is implemented, then tissue positioning accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue stop mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the camming system. As the first jaw member moves relative to the second jaw member during approximation, the camming pin automatically travels along the camming slot, which causes the tissue stop to move between its retracted and extended positions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate actuators or complex control systems, maintaining ease of operation while achieving precise tissue positioning.
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
This design enhances tissue retention and stability, preventing tissue displacement during stapling and surgical procedures, thereby improving the accuracy and completeness of tissue joining operations.
Implementation Method 1
The tissue stop is connected with the first jaw member via a cam and is movable between a first position, where a stopping portion of the tissue stop is disposed between a tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member, and a second position, where the stopping portion is between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a lower surface of the first jaw member
Implementation Method 2
The surgical instrument may further include a biasing member coupled to the tissue stop to urge the tissue stop toward its first position
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, an elongate portion, a pair of opposed jaw members and a tissue stop is disclosed. The elongate portion extends distally from the handle assembly, and the pair of opposed jaw members extend distally from the elongate portion. The pair of opposed jaw members include first and second jaw members. The tissue stop cammingly engaged with the first jaw member and is movable between a first position where at least a portion of a stopping portion of the tissue stop is disposed between a tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member and a second position where the portion of the stopping portion is between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a lower surface of the first jaw member.