The Science of Stapling: Staple Form

Abstract

Surgical stapling has evolved significantly over time, with the primary goal of improving patient outcomes. This study describes the technological advancements in surgical stapling from the perspective of staple and cartridge design, assessing the impact of staple design when it changes from the traditional B form (also known as 2D staple form) to a three-dimensional form (known as 3D staple form). The change in configuration helps compress a larger surface area of the tissue. The 3D configuration is designed to optimize compression not only underneath each staple but also across staples and multiple staple lines, including both stapled and unstapled regions of the tissue. By achieving more evenly distributed compression throughout the staple line, there is potential for reduced leak paths. The study demonstrates that the 3D staple form in surgical stapling results in more evenly distributed compression. In the future, this advanced technology should seamlessly integrate into emerging systems such as the surgical robot, enabling continued progress in surgical instrumentation and ultimately in surgical care.