Surgical Stapling Devices with Variable Height Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical staplers face challenges in applying staples of varying heights to effectively manage tissue composition variations during transsection, as existing methods require different staple sizes and complexities in cartridge design.
Innovation Solution
The development of surgical stapling devices with staple cartridges that utilize staple drivers of different heights, anvil pockets of varying depths, and compliant materials to produce staples of different lengths, allowing for a hemostatic barrier and cinching effect by adjusting staple formation distances and cam heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different staple sizes are used to address tissue composition variations, then the hemostatic barrier and cinching effect are improved, but the device complexity and cartridge design complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the height of staple drivers at different positions within the same cartridge. Specifically, the cartridge includes staple drivers of different heights arranged in rows, where drivers closer to the cut line have different heights than those farther away. This allows each location to have the appropriate staple height for its specific tissue composition needs, achieving hemostatic barrier and cinching effects without requiring multiple different cartridges or complex selection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of staple driver height to produce staples of different lengths. By manufacturing staple drivers with varying heights within the same cartridge assembly, the system can produce staples with different formed heights to match varying tissue composition requirements along the stapling line, thereby addressing tissue variations while maintaining a unified cartridge design.
2Reliability
If multiple staple sizes are employed in the same cartridge, then the effectiveness of stapling different tissue compositions is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and staple selection complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the staple driving function by dividing the cartridge into multiple staple driver units, each with a specific height. These segmented drivers are arranged in rows within the single cartridge, allowing each segment to independently produce staples of the appropriate height for its location. This segmentation enables reliable stapling of varied tissue compositions while keeping the overall cartridge manufacturing manageable through modular assembly of the drivers.
3Manufacturing precision
If staple drivers of different heights are used, then the precision of staple formation for varying tissue needs is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single cartridge that performs multiple functions through its array of staple drivers with different heights. The cartridge universally addresses various tissue composition requirements along the stapling line without needing multiple specialized cartridges. Each staple driver, regardless of its specific height, performs the universal function of forming staples appropriate for its local tissue conditions, thereby achieving precise staple formation while maintaining device simplicity through a unified multi-functional cartridge design.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling device that comprises an end effector that is configured to receive various control motions from a robotic system.