Articulating Ultrasonic End Effector With Flexible Energy Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic surgical instruments face limitations in navigating within a surgical site due to restricted rotation and manipulation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flexible connector and articulating portion in the elongated shaft, allowing the ultrasonic blade and jaw to pivot and rotate at any orientation, with transducers positioned at vibration node points to transmit ultrasonic energy efficiently, and the system can be integrated with robotic arms for enhanced maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rotation features are incorporated to enable rotation of the ultrasonic end effector, then the ability to navigate within the surgical site is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic end effector is designed with dynamic articulation capabilities, allowing the jaw to pivot relative to the ultrasonic blade between 0 to 180 degrees. This dynamic configuration enables the end effector to adapt to different surgical site geometries and access difficult-to-reach areas, thereby improving navigation capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through controlled degrees of freedom
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple transducers are used to transmit ultrasonic energy, then the ultrasonic energy transmission is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic energy transmission system is segmented into multiple independent transducers positioned at specific locations along the ultrasonic blade. Each transducer operates independently to generate ultrasonic vibrations, and their combined effect delivers enhanced ultrasonic energy to the end effector. This segmentation allows for improved energy transmission while maintaining modular design that simplifies overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible connector serves as an intermediary element that couples multiple transducers to the ultrasonic blade. This flexible connector transmits ultrasonic vibrations from each transducer to the blade while accommodating relative movements and articulations. The intermediary component enables effective energy transmission from multiple transducers without requiring complex mechanical linkages, thereby improving ultrasonic energy delivery while controlling device complexity
3Ease of operation
If the elongated shaft diameter is reduced for minimally invasive procedures, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to transmit sufficient ultrasonic energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated shaft is designed with a flexible connector that incorporates thin-walled structures and flexible membranes. These flexible components transmit ultrasonic vibrations effectively while maintaining a reduced outer diameter suitable for minimally invasive access through small incisions. The flexible shell design allows sufficient ultrasonic energy transmission through the reduced-diameter shaft, achieving both ease of operation and adequate energy delivery
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
Enables improved navigation and manipulation within the surgical site, facilitating minimally invasive procedures with increased ultrasonic energy transmission without increasing the instrument's diameter, and supports both manual and robotic surgical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a stack of piezoelectric elements held under pre-compression between the proximal and distal masses
Implementation Method 2
a transducer configured to produce mechanical vibration energy at ultrasonic frequencies that is transmitted along a waveguide to an ultrasonic end effector
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector extending distally from the elongated shaft, and a transducer assembly disposed at least partially within the elongated shaft. The end effector includes a jaw and an ultrasonic blade. The jaw is configured to pivot relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position to a clamping position for clamping tissue therebetween. The transducer assembly is distally-spaced from the housing and includes proximal and distal transducers interconnected by a connector. The ultrasonic blade is connected to the distal transducer such that ultrasonic energy produced by the proximal transducer is transmitted along the connector and the distal transducer to the ultrasonic blade and such that ultrasonic energy produced by the distal transducer is transmitted to the ultrasonic blade.