Customizable surgical instruments

Abstract

To provide a surgical instrument that has a simple structure, is easy to operate, can be used as a head of a surgical instrument such as a forceps head, a scissors head, or a tweezers head, and can be customized to have a desired shape. [Solution] A customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument comprising a handle portion and an operating portion that operates under the control of the handle portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a first handle 3 and a second handle 4 connected by a pin, and the operating portion comprises a first operating member 1 and a second operating member 2 connected by a pin, a shape memory alloy member 13 is connected between the first handle and the first operating member, and a metal tube 6 is connected between the second handle and the second operating member, and a flexible transmission member 5 is provided within the metal tube for transmitting the control torque of the handle portion to the operating portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical instruments, and more particularly to a customizable and shapeable surgical instrument that can be adapted to surgical instruments such as forceps, scissors, tweezers, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Surgical instruments, such as surgical clamps, are widely used in surgery. They can prevent excessive bleeding by blocking blood vessels during surgery, improving blood circulation and increasing the success rate of surgery. However, current surgical clamps often have specific structures depending on the surgical environment, such as those used in arteries, veins, the chest, and lungs. These various surgical clamps have different shapes, making them difficult to use universally. As a result, a wide variety of surgical instruments are used during surgery, and surgical instruments must be rationally selected according to the specific surgical precautions. This not only increases the difficulty of surgery but also hinders medical costs.

[0003] In addition to the aforementioned drawback of limited versatility, current surgical clamps also suffer from a series of shortcomings, including rigid structural connections and rigid transmission of control torque. For example, Chinese Patent ZL201320684993.X discloses a minimally invasive ascending aorta clamp, and a similar patent, ZL200920218143.4, discloses a vascular clamp for the lateral angle of a thoracoscope. Both utilize an integrated hinge structure between the handle and the clamp head, and the handle or clamp head is designed to have a specific shape based on actual needs. With this structure, the torque from the handle directly controls the state of the clamp head, making it impossible to buffer the control torque and making it difficult to actively adjust the shape of the clamp to meet specific surgical needs. This places high demands on the surgeon's grip force and angle of the clamp. Therefore, the design and development of a versatile, simple, and easy-to-use surgical instrument handle is of great practical importance. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a surgical instrument that is simple in structure, easy to operate, and can be customized and shaped to suitably be used as the head of a surgical instrument such as a forceps head, a scissors head, or a tweezers head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The surgical instrument according to the present invention is a customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument comprising a handle portion and an operating portion that operates under the control of the handle portion, wherein the handle portion comprises a first handle and a second handle that are connected by a pin, the operating portion comprises a first operating member and a second operating member that are connected by a pin, a shape memory alloy member is connected between the first handle and the first operating member, a metal tube is connected between the second handle and the second operating member, and a flexible transmission member is arranged within the metal tube.

[0006] Furthermore, connecting posts are provided on both ends of the shape memory alloy member, and the shape memory alloy member is connected to the first handle and the first operating member via the connecting posts and corresponding pins.

[0007] Furthermore, the connecting posts are riveted to surround both ends of the shape memory alloy member.

[0008] Alternatively, both ends of the shape memory alloy member are engaged with the first handle and the first operating member, respectively.

[0009] The shape memory alloy member is preferably a cylindrical memory alloy rod or a flat rectangular memory alloy bar.

[0010] In one embodiment, a guide sleeve is fixedly connected to the second handle, one end of the flexible transmission member extends into the guide sleeve and is connected to a connector pin-coupled to an end of the second handle, and the other end of the flexible transmission member is connected to a guide connector disposed in the first operating member, and the guide connector is connected to the second operating member via a transmission connection piece.

[0011] Preferably, the surgical instrument further includes a spring assembly fitted over the flexible transmission member and holding the operating portion in an open state when there is no force from the flexible transmission member.

[0012] Furthermore, the spring assembly includes a fixed tube disposed between the metal tube and the first operating member, and a spring disposed within the fixed tube, the spring being fitted onto the flexible transmission member, and an end of the spring close to the first operating member contacting the guide connector.

[0013] In one embodiment, the metal pipe body is formed by a plurality of tube units whose starting and ending ends are fitted together and connected, and each tube unit has a convex surface at one end and a concave surface at the other end that fits with the convex surface.

[0014] Furthermore, the operating portion is a forceps head, a scissors head, or a tweezers head, and the surgical instrument is a blood clamp, a surgical scissors, or a surgical tweezers.

[0015] It is preferable that the handle portion is made of a shape memory alloy, the metal tube is a gooseneck tube, the flexible transmission member is a metal rope, and the transmission connection piece is arc-shaped. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The shape-adjustable surgical instrument of this invention utilizes a shape-memory alloy component installed between the control section and the handle section, allowing the operator to freely bend the instrument in two or three dimensions to suit specific surgical environments, while ensuring smooth torque transmission from the handle to the control section and linear continuity of the control section's movement, improving operability. Furthermore, by replacing the control section, the instrument can be adapted to various usage scenarios, making it highly versatile and allowing one handle to be used for multiple purposes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded view of the customizable surgical instrument of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of the assembled structure of the customizable surgical instrument of the present invention; [Figure 3] 10 is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of another embodiment of a customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the connection structure when the operation part of the surgical instrument shown in FIG. 1 is in an open state. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the connection structure when the operation part of the surgical instrument shown in FIG. 3 is in an open state. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of each tube unit of the metal tube of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the metal tube units after assembly according to the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention provides a surgical instrument having a handle portion and an operating portion operably connected to each other via a shape memory alloy member and a flexible transmission member. The operating portion may be an operating portion commonly found in surgical instruments such as a forceps head, a scissors head, or a tweezers head. The present invention will be described in detail below using a blood vessel blocking forceps as an example.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the blood vessel blocking forceps include a handle portion and a forceps operating portion controlled by the handle portion. Specifically, the handle portion includes a first handle 3 and a second handle 4, which are connected by, for example, a pin 15. The forceps head portion includes a first forceps head 1 and a second forceps head 2, which are connected by, for example, a pin 15. A shape memory alloy member 13 is connected between the first handle 3 and the first forceps head 1. Specifically, the shape memory alloy member 13 can be connected to the first handle 3 and the first forceps head 1 by corresponding pins 15 via connecting posts 14 located at both ends. The connecting posts 14 are riveted to surround both ends of the shape memory alloy member 13, preventing shear force from being applied to the shape memory alloy member 13. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the shape memory alloy member 13 can be directly snapped into corresponding slots 301 and 101 of the first handle 3 and the first forceps head 1, and secured via the corresponding pins. In particular, the shape memory alloy member 13 is made of a shape memory alloy material, such as a nickel-titanium alloy, and may be a cylindrical shape memory alloy rod so as to be arbitrarily bent in three-dimensional space, or may be a flat rectangular shape memory alloy bar so as to be arbitrarily bent in two-dimensional plane.

[0020] A flexible metal tube 6 is connected between the second handle 4 and the second forceps head 2. A flexible transmission member 5 is located within the metal tube 6, transmitting control torque from the handle to the forceps head at the front. The shape-memory alloy member 13 located between the first handle 3 and the first forceps head 1 helps maintain the overall structure and shape of the vascular isolation forceps. The support of the metal tube 6 allows the relative position of the handle and the forceps head to be freely adjusted. The flexible transmission member 5 transmits control torque from the handle to the forceps head. When the second handle 4 applies an external force to the first handle 3 and rotates, the rotational torque is transmitted to the second forceps head 2 via the flexible transmission member 5, thereby closing or opening the second forceps head 2 relative to the first forceps head 1. Furthermore, the flexible transmission member 5 changes shape according to the position and shape of the metal tube 6 without affecting the transmission of control torque. The forceps mouth formed by the forceps head can be arbitrarily changed in shape via the metal tube 6 according to the needs of the medical environment, which not only improves operability but also makes it easily adaptable to various surgical environments.

[0021] In this invention, to ensure reliable deformation of the instrument during operation and stable transmission of controlled torque, a guide sleeve 8 is fixedly connected to the second handle 4, one end of a flexible transmission member 5 extends into this guide sleeve 8 and is connected to a spherical connector 7 pin-engaged at the end of the second handle 4, and the other end of the flexible transmission member 5 is connected to a guide connector 9 provided in the first forceps head 1, which is connected to the second forceps head 2 via a transmission connecting piece 10, i.e., both ends of the transmission connecting piece 10 are connected to the guide connector 9 and the second pliers 2, respectively. In this way, the flexible transmission member 5 forms a transmission connection between the second handle 4 and the second forceps head 2. Therefore, through the action of the guide sleeve 8, the flexible transmission member 5 ensures smooth and guided transmission of torque from the second handle 4 to the second forceps head 2. Furthermore, guide connector 9 in first forceps head 1 moves smoothly upon receiving torque from flexible transmission member 5, and transmits this torque to second forceps head 2 via connected transmission connection piece 10. This not only provides effective cushioning, but also ensures linear smoothness in the opening and closing movement of second forceps head 2, which is advantageous for improving the reliability of the blood vessel isolation forceps.

[0022] Furthermore, the vascular isolation forceps may include a spring assembly that is inserted around the flexible transmission member 5 and maintains the forceps heads in an open state when there is no force from the flexible transmission member 5. Specifically, the spring assembly may include a fixed tube 11 connected between the metal tube 6 and the first forceps head 1, and a spring 12 disposed within the fixed tube 11. The spring 12 is inserted around the flexible transmission member 5, and the end of the spring 12 that is closest to the first forceps head 1 contacts the guide connector 9. Therefore, when no control torque is applied from the flexible transmission member 5, the spring 12 maintains the guide connector 9 in its original position close to the second forceps head 2. In this case, the transmission connection piece 10 does not move, and the second forceps head 2 is fully open relative to the first forceps head 1. In this case, the user can close the forceps heads by grasping the handle and applying torque, further reducing the difficulty of operating the vascular isolation forceps and improving portability and convenience.

[0023] When specifically implementing the present invention, some key components can be selected based on actual needs. For example, in addition to the curved horizontal handle commonly used in the prior art, the handle can also be a parallel handle extending backward relative to the shape memory alloy member, thereby reducing the labor required for operation. The handle is preferably made of a shape memory alloy material, such as a nickel-titanium alloy, so that it can restore its original shape after high-temperature sterilization. The transmission connecting piece 10 can have an arc structure, which fully ensures the linear continuity of the movement of the second forceps head 2 relative to the first forceps head 1. The metal tube 6 can have a multi-tube fitting structure, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The body of the metal tube 6 is formed by multiple tube units 601, the beginning and end of which are fitted together and connected. Each tube unit 601 has a convex surface at one end and a concave surface at the other end that fits into the convex surface. This not only ensures flexibility in bending but also ensures that radial contraction deformation does not occur when force is applied. Furthermore, if necessary, a gooseneck tube can be used for the metal tube 6. In this invention, the flexible transmission member 5 can be a metal rope, and by combining it with the metal tube 6 having the above structure, a stable and reliable shape between the handle portion and the operating portion of the forceps head is ensured, which not only provides excellent support for changes in the position of the forceps head, but also ensures that the overall shape of the vascular isolation forceps does not change when the metal rope transmits torque, improving operational reliability.

[0024] Compared to traditional surgical instruments, this device uses a shape memory alloy component design, allowing users to adjust the surgical instrument to various shapes to suit specific surgical environments according to the actual usage environment, improving ease of operation. Furthermore, this device can be adapted to various usage scenarios by replacing different operating parts, increasing versatility and allowing one handle to be used for multiple purposes.

[0025] The present invention has been described in detail using preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will easily understand modifications and additions to various embodiments upon reviewing the above description. The applicant intends that all such modifications and additions be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention. The terms used in this specification are intended to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification have the same meaning as understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Any modifications or improvements to the present product, or the substitution or use of similar or similar substances within the scope or scope of the patent, shall also be included within the scope of protection of the present invention patent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1 First forceps head 2 No. 2 forceps head 3 First Handle 4 Second Handle 5 Flexible transmission member 6 metal tube 7 spherical connector 8 Guide sleeve 9 Guide Connector 10 Transmission connector 11 Fixed pipe 12 Spring 13 Shape memory alloy components 14 Connecting pillar 15-pin 101 Slots 301 Slots 601 Tube Unit

Claims

1. A customizable and shape-adjustable surgical instrument comprising a handle portion and an operating portion that operates under the control of the handle portion, A customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument, characterized in that the handle portion comprises a first handle and a second handle connected by a pin, the operating portion comprises a first operating member and a second operating member connected by a pin, a shape memory alloy member is connected between the first handle and the first operating member, a metal tube is connected between the second handle and the second operating member, and a flexible transmission member is disposed within the metal tube.

2. A customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument as described in claim 1, characterized in that connecting posts are provided on both ends of the shape memory alloy member, and the shape memory alloy member is connected to the first handle and the first operating member via the connecting posts and corresponding pins, or the both ends of the shape memory alloy member are engaged with the first handle and the first operating member, respectively.

3. The customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the connecting posts are riveted to surround both ends of the shape memory alloy member.

4. The customizable and shape-adjustable surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is a cylindrical memory alloy rod or a flat rectangular memory alloy bar.

5. 2. The customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein a guide sleeve is fixedly connected to the second handle, one end of the flexible transmission member extends into the guide sleeve and is connected to a connector pin-coupled to an end of the second handle, and the other end of the flexible transmission member is connected to a guide connector disposed in the first operating member, and the guide connector is connected to the second operating member via a transmission connection piece.

6. 10. The customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a spring assembly adapted to fit over the flexible transmission member and to hold the operating portion in an open state in the absence of force from the flexible transmission member.

7. 7. The customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the spring assembly includes a fixed tube disposed between the metal tube and the first operating member, and a spring disposed within the fixed tube, the spring being fitted onto the flexible transmission member, and an end of the spring closer to the first operating member contacting the guide connector.

8. 2. The customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the metal tube body is formed of a plurality of tube units whose starting and ending ends are fitted together and connected, and each tube unit has a convex surface at one end and a concave surface at the other end that fits with the convex surface.

9. The customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the operating portion is a forceps head, a scissors head, or a tweezers head, and the surgical instrument is a vascular forceps, a surgical scissors, or a surgical tweezers.

10. The customizable, shape-adjustable surgical instrument of claim 5, characterized in that the handle portion is formed from a shape memory alloy, the metal tube is a gooseneck tube, the flexible transmission member is a metal rope, and the transmission connection piece is arc-shaped.

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