Laparoscopic Transverse Stapling System Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling systems face challenges in efficiently clamping, cutting, and joining tissue during surgical procedures, particularly in minimizing tissue trauma and reducing procedural time, especially in procedures like low anterior resection where precise alignment and stapling are critical.
Innovation Solution
A transverse surgical stapling system comprising an elongated shaft assembly with a distal tube, an anvil assembly, and a cartridge assembly, where the anvil and cartridge assemblies are spring-biased for easy extension and locking, with a firing rod and clamping mechanism to facilitate staple firing and tissue cutting, and an alignment pin assembly for precise tissue alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional surgical stapling systems are used, then tissue joining can be achieved, but procedural time is extended and tissue trauma is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The stapling system employs dynamic components including a movable cartridge assembly that can translate between retracted and extended positions, and a firing mechanism with a wedge that moves to deploy staples. This dynamic design allows for efficient tissue clamping, cutting, and stapling in a single procedural step, reducing overall procedural time while minimizing tissue trauma through controlled, precise action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a cartridge assembly for staple storage and deployment, an anvil assembly for staple formation, a firing mechanism for staple ejection, and a clamping mechanism for tissue approximation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, contributing to reduced procedural time and minimized tissue trauma through specialized, optimized actions.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment is achieved for stapling, then joining accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs guide pins that extend transverse to the longitudinal axis of the distal tube, creating a new dimensional reference for alignment. This transverse guidance dimension simplifies the alignment process by providing a straightforward geometric reference, reducing the complexity of alignment mechanisms while ensuring precise stapling accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide pins serve as intermediary elements between the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly, facilitating precise alignment without requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms. These pins provide a simple yet effective means of ensuring accurate staple placement while maintaining device simplicity.
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
Enables efficient clamping, cutting, and stapling of tissue with improved precision and reduced procedural time, allowing for both open and laparoscopic surgical procedures, such as low anterior resection, by providing a mechanism for precise alignment and effective staple formation.
Implementation Method 1
The cartridge assembly may be spring biased toward the extended position thereof by a torsion spring.
Implementation Method 2
The anvil assembly may be spring biased toward the extended position thereof by a leaf spring.
Data Source
AI summary
A transverse surgical stapling system includes an elongated shaft assembly, a distal tube, an anvil assembly, and a cartridge assembly. The distal tube has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the distal tube supports the elongated shaft assembly. The anvil assembly is supported on the distal end portion of the distal tube. The cartridge assembly is supported on the distal tube in movable relation to the anvil assembly. The anvil and cartridge assemblies are movable between retracted and extended positions relative to the distal tube.