Unitary Surgical Stapling Indicator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices with firing indicators are often complex and costly due to multiple components, making it difficult to provide a simple and inexpensive visual indication of when the jaws are approximated within the firing zone.
Innovation Solution
A unitary construction indicator assembly with an indicator member, pivot support member, resilient lever, and anchor, which pivots from a relaxed to a stressed configuration upon jaw approximation, using a screw stop to engage and pivot the indicator from a first to a second position, displaying different color indicia through a window to indicate the firing readiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components are used to construct the indicator mechanism, then the indicator can provide visual indication of jaw approximation, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple indicator components (indicator member, pivot support member, resilient lever, and anchor) into a unitary construction formed as a single integral piece. This merging of components maintains the visual indication function while eliminating the complexity and cost associated with assembling multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary indicator assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the indicator member provides visual indication, the pivot support member enables rotation, the resilient lever provides biasing force, and the anchor secures the assembly. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a unitary construction indicator is used, then the manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the mechanism must still provide reliable visual indication of firing readiness
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary construction merges all indicator functions into a single manufacturable component, simplifying production while ensuring reliable visual indication through the integrated mechanism's inherent mechanical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient lever provides continuous mechanical feedback through its biased configuration, ensuring the indicator member reliably returns to its initial position and accurately reflects the jaw approximation state, thereby maintaining firing readiness indication reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the resilient lever is positioned to move the indicator member, then the indicator can reset automatically, but the lever must be precisely positioned to ensure proper movement from second to first position
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient lever is configured to automatically reset the indicator member through its inherent biased configuration, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The self-service nature of the mechanism reduces operational complexity while the integrated unitary construction ensures proper positioning without requiring high manufacturing precision.
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
The solution simplifies the indicator mechanism, reducing complexity and cost while providing a clear visual indication of firing readiness, enhancing user confidence and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
pivotal movement of the indicator member from a first position to a second position effects movement of the resilient lever from a relaxed configuration to a stressed configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
An indicator (26) includes an indicator body portion (50), a pivot support member (52), a resilient lever (54) and an anchor (66). The pivot support member (52) has a first end (52a) secured to the indicator body portion (50) and a second end (52b) secured to a first end (54a) of the resilient lever (54). The resilient lever (54) has a second end (54b) secured to the anchor (66). The pivot support member (52) is adapted to be pivotally mounted to a body portion (18) of a surgical device and the anchor (66) is adapted to be secured to the surgical device such that pivotal movement of the indicator body portion (50) from a first position to a second position effects movement of the resilient lever (54) from a relaxed configuration to a stressed configuration. In the stressed configuration, the resilient lever (54) urges the indicator body portion (50) towards the first position. The indicator body portion (50) can be integrally molded of a plastic material to define a single part of unitary construction.