Articulation Joint Inner Guide Outer Sleeve Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices with articulating end effectors face challenges such as reduced joint strength, unintended movement of the end effector, and failure of articulation bands, leading to incomplete articulation and potential device malfunction.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inner guide and an outer sleeve in the articulation joint, which forms channels for the cutting mechanism, articulation bands, and closure band, enhances load distribution and ensures smooth operation of these components regardless of the end effector's configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an articulation joint is designed to allow the end effector to articulate off the central longitudinal axis, then the ability to access more areas of the surgical site is improved, but the strength of the articulation joint is reduced and unintended movement of the end effector occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation joint is divided into multiple components including an outer sleeve, inner guide, articulation bands, and joint ribs. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function: the outer sleeve provides structural support, the inner guide maintains alignment, articulation bands enable movement, and joint ribs provide reinforcement. This modular structure resolves the contradiction by allowing articulation capability while maintaining joint strength through distributed load-bearing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner guide is nested within the outer sleeve, and articulation bands are nested within channels formed by these components. This nested configuration allows the articulation mechanism to operate within a constrained space while maintaining the structural integrity of the outer sleeve. The inner guide provides internal support without compromising the external strength of the outer sleeve, thus enabling articulation while preventing unintended movement.
2Ease of operation
If the end effector is articulated to a desired location, then the ability to manipulate tissue is improved, but articulation bands can buckle and joint ribs can break out causing complete joint failure
Solution Approach 1:
The joint ribs are designed to engage with the outer sleeve in advance to prevent buckling of articulation bands. The ribs act as pre-positioned support structures that become engaged when articulation bands are loaded, distributing the compressive forces before they can cause band buckling or joint failure. This preemptive reinforcement ensures reliable operation during tissue manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation joint combines multiple materials with different mechanical properties: the outer sleeve and inner guide provide structural rigidity, while articulation bands provide flexible actuation. This composite construction allows the joint to withstand compressive loads during articulation without buckling or failing, maintaining reliability while enabling ease of operation.
3Productivity
If a cutting mechanism is advanced through the grasped tissue, then the ability to transect tissue is improved, but the cutting mechanism can get hung-up or stuck in the channel when the end effector is articulated
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting mechanism is extracted from the articulation joint structure and advanced through a separate channel that is independent of the articulation mechanism. This separation ensures that the cutting mechanism's path is not interfered with by articulation movements, preventing the cutting blade from getting hung-up or stuck while maintaining smooth cutting operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for articulating a distal end of a surgical device are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes an articulation joint that includes both an inner guide and an outer sleeve. The inner guide includes one channel extending therethrough that receives both a cutting mechanism and a closure band. Further, an outer surface of the inner guide, in conjunction with the outer sleeve, can define two additional channels that each receive an articulation band for articulating an end effector coupled to the articulation joint. The outer surface of the inner guide can include a plurality of ribs that also help define the two additional channels. Further, the outer sleeve can include a plurality of slots formed in it to improve flexibility and stability. Additional configurations of articulation joints, and configurations of components of a surgical device, are also provided, as are methods for using the same.