Retainable Tissue Thickness Compensator for Surgical Staple Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staple cartridges lack an efficient mechanism to securely attach and release a tissue thickness compensator, leading to inconsistent clamping pressure and potential tissue damage during stapling and severing procedures.
Innovation Solution
A staple cartridge design featuring a retention pin that disengages during the firing stroke, allowing the tissue thickness compensator to be securely attached and released, ensuring consistent staple formation and tissue handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a retention mechanism is used to secure the tissue thickness compensator to the cartridge body, then the compensator remains stable during loading and storage, but the mechanism adds complexity to the cartridge structure
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is divided into separate functional components: retention pins that engage with recesses in the compensator, and corresponding features in the cartridge body. This segmentation allows each component to be simple while achieving stable retention when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention pins are designed to be selectively removable from the cartridge body, allowing the compensator to be easily extracted from the cartridge. This extraction capability simplifies the loading and replacement process while maintaining stability during operation.
2Reliability
If the tissue thickness compensator is securely attached to the cartridge body, then consistent clamping pressure is maintained, but the compensator cannot be released during the firing stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism transitions from a static secured state to a dynamic released state during firing. The retention pins are selectively movable from an engaged position (providing stable retention) to a disengaged position (allowing compensator release), enabling the system to adapt to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention pins are pre-positioned in the engaged state to ensure stable compensator retention during loading and storage. Before firing, the pins are selectively moved to the disengaged position, preparing the system for compensator release without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the firing stroke.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the retention pin remains engaged throughout the firing stroke, then the compensator is securely retained, but the compensator cannot be released to ensure proper staple formation
Solution Approach 1:
The retention pin system provides dynamic retention control: pins are engaged during loading to ensure stable compensator positioning, then selectively disengaged during the firing stroke to allow compensator release. This dynamic transition ensures both stable retention and proper release for consistent staple formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention pins are pre-positioned in the engaged state for stable compensator retention, then selectively moved to the disengaged position before or during the firing stroke. This preliminary action ensures the compensator is properly positioned for retention, then released at the appropriate time to ensure consistent staple formation without requiring complex real-time control during firing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fastener cartridge can comprise, one, a cartridge body configured to at least partially store a plurality of fasteners therein and, two, a layer of material attached to the cartridge body by a retention member. The retention member can be deactivated to release the layer from the cartridge body when a firing member is moved through the cartridge body to eject the fasteners from the cartridge body. The retention member can be deactivated at the beginning, the end, and/or at any suitable time during a firing stroke of the firing member. Certain fastener cartridges can comprise a plurality of retention members configured to releasably hold the layer to the cartridge body. In certain circumstances, the retention members can be sequentially released in order to progressively release the layer.