Articulation Joint for Surgical Clip Applier Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical clip appliers face challenges in manipulating the distal end due to reduced field of view, tactile feedback, and anatomical obstructions, making it difficult to accurately apply surgical clips in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
The surgical clip applier features an articulation joint that allows the end effector to be deflected from the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly, enabling the distal end to be positioned at a desired angle, thereby improving access and orientation at the surgical site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid straight shaft assembly is used, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the ability to access vessels from various angles and reach behind organs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft assembly is divided into multiple segments including a proximal shaft, an articulation section with articulation joint, and a distal shaft. This segmentation allows the distal shaft to be articulated relative to the proximal shaft, enabling the end effector to reach vessels from various angles while maintaining overall structural manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation joint in the articulation section provides dynamic articulation capability, allowing the distal shaft to be deflected from the longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft. This dynamic feature enables the end effector to approach vessels from different angles and reach behind organs, enhancing adaptability without requiring a completely rigid structure
2Ease of operation
If the distal end is articulated from the longitudinal axis, then access to vessels behind organs is improved, but the device becomes more complex with additional articulation components
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation components are concentrated in a dedicated articulation section that is segmented from the rest of the shaft assembly. This articulation section contains the articulation joint and associated mechanisms, isolating the complexity to a specific region while keeping the proximal and distal shaft segments relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation section acts as an intermediary component between the proximal shaft and distal shaft. It provides the articulation functionality that enables easy access to vessels while mediating the complexity between the simple proximal shaft and the functional distal end
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for clamping a surgical clip has a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The handle assembly has a trigger and an articulation knob. The shaft assembly has an outer ground tube, a middle articulation tube, and a push/pull tube disposed within the middle articulation tube. The trigger is operable to cause longitudinal translation of the push/pull tube. The outer ground tube and the middle articulation tube present mating angled faces sloped in opposing directions. Rotation of the articulation knob causes rotation of the middle articulation tube. Rotation of the middle articulation tube changes the orientation of the angled faces and thus causes articulation of the middle articulation tube and the push/pull tube. The end effector has a pair of jaws configured to apply a surgical clip to a vessel. Longitudinal translation of the push/pull tube causes closure of the pair of jaws.