Cam-Driven Adapter Assembly for Articulating Surgical Loading Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic surgical instruments face challenges in accessing limited surgical sites due to restricted space, necessitating improved articulation mechanisms for end effectors to enhance tissue treatment accessibility.
Innovation Solution
An adapter assembly with a rotatable cam member and articulation shafts that translate opposing longitudinal motions to articulate the surgical loading unit relative to the adapter assembly, allowing for enhanced articulation of the end effector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a small incision or narrow cannula is used for access, then patient trauma is reduced, but access to surgical site is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical loading unit is made dynamically articlable relative to the adapter assembly through a cam-based mechanism. The cam member with cam slots and pins enables the surgical loading unit to change its angular orientation dynamically, allowing the end effector to reach tissue at various angles while maintaining a small incision access point.
2Ease of operation
If the end effector is made articlable, then tissue treatment accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the linear actuation input and the rotational articulation output. By using the cam geometry with slots and pins, linear motion is converted to angular motion, providing a compact and efficient articulation mechanism that reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex multi-linkage mechanical articulation systems with a simpler cam-based mechanism. The cam slots and pins provide the necessary articulation motion through geometric constraints rather than multiple moving parts, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining articulation functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If articulation mechanism is added, then end effector flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly with the cam mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides articulation for the surgical loading unit, acts as a coupling interface between the handle and surgical loading unit, and enables both linear and angular motion control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying manufacturing.
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter assembly of a surgical instrument includes a cam member defining a proximal cam slot and a distal cam slot, a first articulation shaft, and a second articulation shaft. The first articulation shaft has a proximal end portion received in the proximal cam slot, and a distal end portion configured to be coupled to a surgical loading unit. The second articulation shaft has a proximal end portion received in the distal cam slot, and a distal end portion configured to be coupled to the surgical loading unit. The first and second articulation shafts are configured to move in opposing longitudinal directions in response to a rotation of the cam member to articulate the surgical loading unit.