Variable Compression Anvil for Surgical Staplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical fastener applying apparatuses face challenges in achieving optimal hemostasis by applying variable compressive forces to tissue, which can lead to unnecessary necrosis and prolonged healing due to uneven blood flow and tissue compression.
Innovation Solution
A surgical fastener applying apparatus with an anvil member and a cartridge member that includes pushers with angled plates, allowing for varying compressive forces along the tissue, with shorter pusher plates closer to the centerline to reduce blood flow near the cut-line and longer plates further away to maximize blood flow, facilitating hemostasis while minimizing tissue necrosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform compressive force is applied to all tissue areas, then hemostasis is achieved at the cut-line, but blood flow is unnecessarily reduced in surrounding tissue leading to necrosis
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil features a non-uniform compression surface with varying depths: a first portion with greater depth for higher compression at the cut-line to achieve hemostasis, and a second portion with lesser depth for reduced compression in surrounding tissue to maintain blood flow and prevent necrosis. This local differentiation of compression quality resolves the contradiction between achieving hemostasis and preventing tissue damage.
2Reliability
If multiple rows of fasteners are applied to compress tissue, then hemostasis is improved, but tissue compression becomes excessive and prolongs healing
Solution Approach 1:
The compression surface is differentiated into zones with varying compression levels. The first portion directly over the cut-line provides strong compression for hemostasis, while the second portion extends compression to surrounding tissue at a reduced level that promotes healing without excessive compression. This spatial variation in compression quality allows multiple fastener rows to be applied beneficially without causing prolonged healing delays.
3Reliability
If higher compressive force is applied to tissue, then blood flow is limited for hemostasis, but tissue necrosis increases due to reduced blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil's compression surface applies high compressive force locally at the first portion where the cut-line intersects, achieving hemostasis. At the second portion surrounding this area, the compression force is reduced to a level that does not significantly impede blood flow, thereby preventing tissue necrosis. This local differentiation of force application resolves the contradiction between achieving hemostasis and preventing necrotic damage.
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 apparatus effectively limits blood flow near the cut-line for hemostasis while maintaining blood flow in surrounding tissue, reducing necrosis and promoting healing by applying tailored compressive forces.
Implementation Method 1
a first row of surgical fasteners applies a first compressive force to tissue disposed between the anvil member and the cartridge member, and a second row of surgical fasteners applies a second, different compressive force to the tissue disposed between the anvil member and the cartridge member
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical fastener applying apparatus, comprising: an anvil member having a tissue contacting surface; a cartridge member extending along a longitudinal axis and being movably coupled to the anvil member, the cartridge member including a plurality of surgical fasteners and a plurality of pushers operatively associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners, each pusher including a base portion and a plurality of pusher plates extending from the base portion such that adjacent pusher plates define an acute angle therebetween; and a sled operably engagable with the plurality of pushers, wherein engagement of the sled with the pushers urges the surgical fasteners toward the anvil member such that a first row of surgical fasteners applies a first compressive force to tissue disposed between the anvil member and the cartridge member, and a second row of surgical fasteners applies a second, different compressive force to tissue disposed between the anvil member and the cartridge member, wherein each pusher plate extends from the base portion to define a different length such that the compressive forces are varied along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge member.