UV-Curable Epoxy Buttress Attachment for Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling apparatuses face challenges in securely attaching and reliably releasing buttress materials, which are essential for reinforcing tissue during surgical procedures, especially in minimally invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The use of ultraviolet light curable epoxy to attach surgical buttresses to the staple cartridge or anvil plate, combined with perforations that allow the buttress to release after stapling, and retaining members that secure the buttress to the apparatus for controlled detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive bonding is used to attach the buttress material to the staple cartridge or anvil plate, then the attachment strength is improved, but the release mechanism becomes more complex and may leave residual adhesive in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bonding area is segmented into discrete zones rather than continuous bonding. The buttress material has distinct attachment zones with adhesive and release zones without adhesive, allowing controlled separation after stapling while maintaining strong attachment during the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is applied only in specific attachment zones rather than across the entire buttress material, creating a disposable attachment mechanism that serves its purpose during surgery and then allows clean release without residual adhesive remaining in the patient's body
2Reliability
If the buttress material is securely attached to the stapling apparatus, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the release after stapling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the buttress material have different properties: attachment zones with adhesive bonding for reliable securing during stapling, and release zones without adhesive that allow easy separation after the procedure. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between secure attachment and easy release
3Ease of operation
If perforations are provided around the epoxy location, then the release mechanism is simplified, but the attachment strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The buttress material is segmented into attachment zones with epoxy bonding and release zones with perforations. The perforations are strategically located in areas where reduced bonding is acceptable, allowing simple release mechanism while preserving attachment strength in critical zones
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions serve different functions: areas requiring strong attachment have epoxy bonding without perforations, while areas designed for release have perforations. This local quality differentiation maintains overall attachment strength while enabling simple release where needed
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 solution ensures a secure attachment of the buttress material during surgery while allowing for easy release post-stapling, maintaining the integrity of the stapling apparatus and preventing implantation of foreign materials within the body.
Implementation Method 1
The use of ultraviolet light curable epoxy to attach surgical buttresses to the staple cartridge or anvil plate
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector assembly for use with a surgical stapler, comprising a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface, an anvil plate having a tissue contacting surface, a buttress material releasably disposed on the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and the anvil plate, and an epoxy positioned onto the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate defining an attachment zone configured to retain the respective buttress material atop the respective tissue contacting surfaces.