Articulating Ultrasonic Blade Assembly for Minimally Invasive Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments with ultrasonic blades face difficulties in incorporating articulating functions due to the rigid nature of waveguides, limiting access and maneuverability during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a flexible articulating section and a drive shaft that allows the end effector assembly to articulate, coupled with a blade member that oscillates via a rotatable drive shaft, enabling effective tissue treatment through oscillation and articulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid waveguide is used to transmit ultrasonic vibrations, then the ultrasonic blade can effectively treat tissue, but the instrument cannot articulate to improve access during minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into a proximal rigid portion and a distal flexible portion, allowing the instrument to articulate at the flexible section while the rigid proximal section maintains stable connection for reliable ultrasonic vibration transmission from the generator to the blade
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane or diaphragm is incorporated into the waveguide structure, allowing the ultrasonic vibrations to be transmitted through the flexible portion while enabling articulation of the distal end effector assembly relative to the proximal shaft
2Ease of operation
If the distal end effector assembly articulates to improve access, then maneuverability is enhanced, but the rigid waveguide structure prevents effective transmission of ultrasonic vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is segmented into rigid and flexible portions, with the rigid proximal section ensuring reliable vibration transmission and the flexible distal section providing articulation for improved maneuverability during minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure transitions from rigid to flexible along the shaft length, allowing dynamic articulation at the distal end while maintaining stable vibration transmission through the proximal rigid portion
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 instrument provides enhanced access and maneuverability during minimally invasive procedures, allowing for efficient tissue sealing and cutting without clamping, with oscillation frequencies ranging from 0.5 kHz to 100 kHz, and compatibility with robotic systems.
Implementation Method 1
The drive shaft may have a cam member coupled to the distal end portion of the drive shaft. The blade member may have a cam follower coupled to a proximal end portion of the blade member and operably engaged with the cam member.
Implementation Method 2
The surgical instrument may further include a biasing member interconnecting the cam member and the cam follower. The biasing member may be configured to resiliently bias the cam follower in a proximal direction toward the cam member.
Implementation Method 3
The blade member is configured to oscillate in response to a rotation of the drive shaft to treat tissue disposed between the jaw member and the blade member
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A surgical instrument for treating tissue includes an articulating elongated shaft (14), a drive shaft (124) extending through the elongated shaft and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft, and an end effector assembly (100) coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector assembly includes a jaw member (110) and a blade member (112) configured to oscillate in response to a rotation of the drive shaft (124) to treat tissue disposed between the jaw member and the blade member.