Articulation Assembly for Multi-Plane Tissue Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments face challenges in manipulating jaw members to grasp tissue in multiple planes during minimally invasive surgeries, limiting the ability to reliably seal vessels along different planes within a surgical cavity.
Innovation Solution
An articulation assembly with a plurality of joints, cables, and drive members that allow for off-axis movement of the end effector, enabling the jaw members to pivot and articulate in multiple directions, facilitating grasping and sealing of tissue in various planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional surgical instruments with fixed jaw members are used, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but the ability to grasp tissue in multiple planes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument shaft is divided into multiple articulation segments connected by joints, allowing each segment to rotate independently relative to others. This segmentation enables the end effector to articulate in multiple planes while maintaining a relatively simple individual component design for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument transitions from a rigid, fixed structure to a dynamic, articulated structure with multiple degrees of freedom. The joints and cables enable the end effector to dynamically adjust its orientation and grasp tissue in multiple planes, providing adaptability while maintaining operational control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If articulation mechanisms are added to enable multi-plane manipulation, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each joint assembly is designed as a universal articulation unit that can provide rotation in multiple planes. The standardized joint design with grooves and projections allows for multi-functional articulation capability while reducing the need for specialized components for each degree of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The cables are routed through the hollow interiors of the shaft segments and joints, nesting the cable management system within the structural components. This nesting approach reduces external complexity by integrating control elements within the existing articulation structure rather than adding separate cable channels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple joints and cables are used for articulation, then the multi-plane grasping capability is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple joints are designed with identical or substantially similar structures, each featuring grooves, projections, and cable openings in the same configuration. This homogeneity allows for standardized manufacturing processes and assembly procedures, reducing the complexity increment that would otherwise result from designing unique joints for each articulation point.
4Reliability
If the end effector is made articulatable in multiple directions, then the tissue sealing reliability is improved, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system is configured so that pulling on individual cables directly produces the desired articulation movement without requiring complex coordination or sequencing. Each cable is routed to create a direct mechanical advantage relationship, allowing the operator to control multi-plane articulation through simple, intuitive cable tensioning actions.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulation assembly (200) for use with a surgical instrument (100) is provided. The articulation assembly (200) includes a plurality of joints (260), a plurality of cables (240), and a first drive member (220). Each joint (260) defines a plurality of openings (262) extending longitudinally therethrough, a central opening (263) extending longitudinally therethrough, a pair of projections (268) extending from a first surface, and a pair of grooves (266) extending at least partially through a second surface. Each groove (266) of at least one joint (260) is configured to engage one projection (268) of the pair of projections (268) from an adjacent joint (260). Each cable (240) extends through one opening (262) of the plurality of openings (262) of each joint (260). The first drive member (220) extends through the central opening (263) of each joint (260).