Articulation Locking Mechanism for Medical Instrument Disassembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical instruments with bendable shafts face challenges in disassembly and cleaning due to the difficulty in locking and unlocking mechanical connections, particularly in microinvasive surgical instruments that require complex articulation and precise angular positioning.

Innovation Solution

A locking device is integrated into the coupling of the medical instrument, allowing the mechanical connection to be locked at predetermined working angular positions and released at specific release angular positions, enabling simple handling and thorough disassembly without the need for additional actuation devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional locking mechanisms (screw threads or bayonet closures) are used in medical instruments with bendable shafts, then the mechanical connection can be locked securely, but the disassembly and cleaning process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical connection stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device automatically engages and disengages based on the articulation angle. When the articulation unit is bent to a predetermined angle, the locking device automatically locks the coupling without requiring manual intervention. Conversely, when the articulation returns to its initial position, the locking device automatically releases, enabling easy disassembly for cleaning without complex procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism transitions from a static conventional design to a dynamic system that responds to articulation movements. The locking device is configured to engage or disengage automatically according to the angular position of the articulation, making the locking state variable and dependent on the operational configuration of the instrument

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If extensive disassembly is enabled for thorough cleaning, then hygiene standards are improved, but the instrument complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoiddisassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device automatically engages and disengages based on the articulation angle. When the articulation unit is bent to a predetermined angle, the locking device automatically locks the coupling without requiring manual intervention. Conversely, when the articulation returns to its initial position, the locking device automatically releases, enabling easy disassembly for cleaning without complex procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device serves multiple functions: it secures the mechanical connection during operation, enables automatic locking based on articulation angle, and facilitates easy disassembly for cleaning. This multi-functional design allows the same mechanism to address both operational reliability and cleaning accessibility without requiring separate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If additional actuation devices are added to control locking and unlocking, then precise control is improved, but the device complexity and training requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking control precisionVSAvoidactuation device quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device automatically engages and disengages based on the articulation angle. When the articulation unit is bent to a predetermined angle, the locking device automatically locks the coupling without requiring manual intervention. Conversely, when the articulation returns to its initial position, the locking device automatically releases, enabling easy disassembly for cleaning without complex procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is merged with the articulation mechanism itself. The same articulation movement that changes the bending angle also controls the locking and unlocking states through the integrated locking device. This combines two functions (articulation control and locking control) into a single mechanism, eliminating the need for separate actuation devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10492770B2Medical instruments with bendable shaft

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

An articulation device for a medical instrument includes a coupling for releasable mechanical connection of the articulation device to a tool or to the distal end of a shaft, a locking device on the coupling for locking the mechanical connection, and an articulation, which enables the coupling to be angled relative to an end of the articulation device remote from the coupling. The locking device is designed such that the mechanical connection is locked in a predetermined working angular position of the articulation and is releasable in a predetermined release angular position of the articulation.