Articulatable Surgical Instrument Single Link Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently articulating and maneuvering within the body to effectively staple and cut tissue, particularly in confined spaces, due to limitations in articulation mechanisms and control systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of articulable surgical instruments with advanced articulation link arrangements and control systems, including a dual articulation link arrangement with a push/pull mechanism, allows for precise rotation of the end effector relative to the shaft, enabling better tissue access and manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional articulation mechanisms are used in surgical stapling instruments, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to articulate and maneuver within the body to access confined spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation mechanism is divided into multiple segments including a first articulation link, second articulation link, third articulation link, and fourth articulation link. Each link can rotate independently about specific axes, allowing the end effector to achieve complex articulation movements through coordinated rotation of segmented components rather than requiring a single complex joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation mechanism enables rotation about multiple axes (first axis and second axis that are non-collinear), transitioning from single-axis to multi-axis rotation. This dimensional expansion allows the end effector to articulate in multiple directions simultaneously, providing enhanced maneuverability in three-dimensional surgical spaces.
2Measurement precision
If advanced articulation link arrangements are implemented, then precise rotation and tissue access are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation mechanism employs dynamic rotation capabilities where the end effector can rotate about a first axis relative to the shaft and simultaneously rotate about a second non-collinear axis. This dynamic multi-axis rotation system allows precise positioning of the end effector at various angles and orientations, enabling accurate tissue access and manipulation while maintaining a relatively compact structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument that comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel about an articulation axis that extends transversely relative to the shaft axis. The surgical instrument further includes an articulation system that comprises a single articulation driver that is supported for longitudinal travel along a path that is laterally offset from the shaft axis. A cross link is coupled to the articulation driver and extends transversely across the shaft axis to be coupled to the surgical end effector.