Articulating Surgical Instrument with Nested Shafts and Single Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments with rigid elongated shaft assemblies for deploying fasteners in hernia repair have limited range of motion, necessitating articulable portions to facilitate orientation and placement, but existing solutions often require separate controls for locking and articulation, adding complexity and steps to the operation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with an elongated shaft assembly featuring a first and second articulating shaft coaxially arranged, where the proximal portions of these shafts are displaceable to move the articulable portion between non-articulated and articulated configurations, integrated with an articulation control that selectively locks and unlocks the articulation, allowing for single-handed control of articulation and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate controls for locking and articulation are used, then the articulation function can be achieved, but the device complexity and number of operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking control and articulation control into a single articulation control mechanism. The articulation control is coupled to both the articulation lock and the articulable portion, allowing a single control element to perform both locking and articulation functions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full articulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation control serves multiple functions: it can selectively lock the articulable portion in a locked configuration and selectively articulate the articulable portion between non-articulated and articulated configurations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate controls and reduces the number of operational steps required
2Measurement precision
If multiple shafts are used for articulation, then the precision and control of articulation improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested shaft configuration where a first articulating shaft and a second articulating shaft are arranged coaxially relative to each other. The second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, creating a compact nested structure that achieves precise articulation control through multiple shafts while minimizing the overall device footprint and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single shaft to multiple coaxially arranged shafts, adding a dimensional aspect to the articulation mechanism. This multi-dimensional shaft arrangement enables independent displacement of each shaft's proximal portion, providing enhanced precision and control over the articulation of the articulable portion
3Adaptability or versatility
If the articulable portion is made more flexible, then the range of motion improves, but the stability and position maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the articulable portion can transition between a locked configuration (providing stability and position maintenance) and an unlocked configuration (providing flexibility and range of motion). The articulation lock selectively constrains the articulable portion to maintain stability when needed, while allowing movement when articulation is required
Data Source
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AI summary
Articulating surgical instruments (2) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument (2) may include an elongated shaft assembly (6) including an articulable portion (8) moveable between a non-articulated configuration and an articulated configuration. First (32) and second (34) articulating shafts of the elongated shaft assembly (6) may be coaxially arranged and axially fixed at an attachment point located distally from the articulable portion. Proximal portions of the first (32) and second (34) articulating shafts may be displaceable in opposing directions to articulate the articulable portion (8) from the non-articulated configuration to the articulated configuration. In another embodiment, an articulation control (10) may be movable from a first position to a second position to move an articulation lock (36) from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to selectively permit articulation of a surgical instrument (2). The articulation lock (36) also may be movable from the second position to a third position to articulate the surgical instrument (2).