Toggling Stapler Distal Tip for Precise Tissue Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers lack the ability to efficiently maneuver and position the distal end effector for optimal tissue engagement and sealing, particularly in endoscopic procedures, due to limitations in articulation and tip angulation.
Innovation Solution
The surgical stapler incorporates a toggling distal tip that is pivotable about a transverse axis, allowing for enhanced articulation and angulation of the end effector, enabling better tissue engagement and sealing through a selectively rotatable distal tip mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional straight distal tip is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the ability to maneuver and position the end effector for optimal tissue engagement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The distal tip is designed to be selectively rotatable about a transverse axis, transforming it from a static straight structure to a dynamic articulating component. This allows the end effector to assume multiple orientations (e.g., angled configurations) to engage tissue at different angles while maintaining structural simplicity through a single degree of freedom rotation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The distal tip is separated into a rotatable segment that can independently articulate relative to the main shaft. This segmentation allows the tip to be optimized for tissue engagement while the shaft maintains its structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distal tip is made rigid for stable positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but the ability to articulate and reach different tissue angles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic articulation where the distal tip can be rotated to different stable positions (e.g., 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees) about a transverse axis. This provides both articulation capability to reach different tissue angles and stable positioning at each discrete angle, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
3Ease of operation
If articulation joints are added to enable end effector deflection, then positioning capability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation functionality is isolated to a single segmented component - the distal tip - rather than requiring multiple articulation joints throughout the shaft. This single segmentation point provides the necessary positioning capability while minimizing manufacturing complexity compared to multi-joint articulation systems
Solution Approach 2:
A single dynamic rotation joint at the distal tip provides articulation capability with simpler mechanics compared to multiple articulation joints. This reduces the complexity of the articulation mechanism while still enabling the end effector to be positioned at various angles for effective tissue engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument end effector includes a first jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge and a second jaw that includes an anvil having a plurality of staple forming pockets. The first and second jaws are operable to clamp and staple tissue positioned therebetween. A tip member is movably disposed at a distal end of the anvil and is configured to toggle relative to the anvil between a first discrete position and a second discrete position. The tip member in the first discrete position is oriented angularly toward the first jaw, and the tip member in the second discrete position is oriented angularly away from the first discrete position.