Adapter Assembly for Rotary-Driven Surgical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical device adapters are complex and labor-intensive to assemble, requiring many parts and not economical for manufacturing, as they need to interface linear-driven end effectors with rotary-driven surgical devices.
Innovation Solution
An adapter assembly with a housing, outer tube, articulation assembly, and firing shaft that includes a gimbal and threaded sleeves, allowing omni-directional articulation and translation of surgical loading units to connect with rotary-driven surgical devices, reducing the number of parts and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional adapters are used to interface linear-driven end effectors with rotary-driven surgical devices, then compatibility is achieved, but device complexity and assembly labor increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple adapter functions into a single integrated unit that directly couples the surgical instrument to the rotary drive shaft. This merged design eliminates the need for separate linear conversion mechanisms and multiple connection components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining compatibility between linear-driven end effectors and rotary-driven surgical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different surgical instruments and rotary drive shaft configurations. By creating a multi-functional adapter that handles both mechanical coupling and motion conversion in a single component, the patent reduces the number of specialized parts needed while maintaining broad compatibility across the surgical system.
2Reliability
If traditional adapters with many parts are used, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing cost and assembly labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete components into a single integrated adapter assembly, reducing the total part count from many separate elements to a unified structure. This consolidation directly lowers manufacturing costs by reducing material procurement, inventory management, and assembly operations while maintaining all necessary functional capabilities through integrated design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex adapter assemblies are used, then compatibility and functionality are achieved, but assembly time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated adapter design combines multiple assembly steps into a single coupling operation. By merging the linear conversion mechanism, mechanical interface, and drive shaft connection into one unified component, the patent reduces assembly operations from multiple sequential steps to a single installation action, thereby dramatically improving assembly efficiency and reducing labor intensity.
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 adapter assembly simplifies the connection of surgical loading units to rotary-driven surgical devices, reducing manufacturing costs and assembly labor while maintaining functionality, enabling efficient operation of surgical systems.
Implementation Method 1
An articulation assembly includes a gimbal supported in the outer tube and a plurality of threaded sleeves supported in the housing. The plurality of threaded sleeves is coupled to the gimbal by at least one cable. Rotation of at least one of the plurality of rotatable drive shafts of the surgical device translates at least two of the plurality of threaded sleeves to omni-directionally articulate the gimbal relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube
Implementation Method 2
Rotation of at least one of the plurality of rotatable drive shafts of the surgical device translates at least two of the plurality of threaded sleeves to omni-directionally articulate the gimbal relative to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube with the at least one cable
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of threaded sleeves is coupled to the gimbal by at least one cable
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.