Laparoscopic Clip Applier Geared Feed and Direct Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous hemostatic clip appliers are overly complex, leading to high manufacturing costs and inadequate user feedback, with inconsistent grip force profiles and high grip force requirements during clip loading and closure.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic clip applier with a handle assembly featuring a pistol-grip style handle, a ratchet mechanism, and a geared actuation system that includes a rotatable collar, sliders, and an idler gear, allowing for precise control and consistent clip feeding and closure with reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If previous hemostatic clip appliers are designed with complex mechanisms to achieve reliable clip delivery, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases leading to high manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the clip delivery mechanism. The resilient member directly engages the clip carrier without requiring complex transmission mechanisms, reducing part count while maintaining reliable clip ejection through the essential resilient storage and direct engagement components.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member serves multiple functions: it stores energy during the loading stroke, provides controlled force during clip ejection, and enables both single-shot and continuous firing modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If complex mechanisms are used to control grip force during clip loading and closure, then grip force control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates tactile feedback through the resilient member's mechanical properties. As the resilient member compresses during the loading stroke and releases during ejection, it provides natural force feedback to the operator through the trigger mechanism, enabling intuitive control of grip force without requiring complex electronic or mechanical feedback systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls grip force by changing the physical parameters of the resilient member, specifically its spring constant and pre-compression force. By selecting appropriate resilient member properties, consistent and controllable grip force is achieved during clip loading and closure without requiring additional control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If high grip force is applied during clip loading and closure to ensure reliable delivery, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to high force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is pre-compressed during the loading stroke before clip ejection. This preliminary action stores elastic energy that is then released to provide the high force needed for reliable clip delivery. The operator applies force during the loading phase, and the stored energy automatically provides the high ejection force, reducing the force requirement during the actual delivery moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism operates in periodic cycles of loading and ejection. During the loading phase, the resilient member is compressed to store energy; during the ejection phase, this energy is released to provide high force. This periodic alternation between low-force loading and high-force ejection makes the overall operation easier while maintaining reliable clip delivery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides improved user feedback and control, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, and minimizes the risk of clip jams by ensuring consistent grip force profiles and efficient clip deployment.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member positioned within the shaft assembly and biased towards an expanded configuration. Movement of the movable handle from the spaced apart configuration to the approximated configuration advances the first slider to close the jaw assembly and ejects a clip
Implementation Method 2
A ratchet mechanism prevents movement of the movable handle from the approximated configuration toward the spaced apart configuration
Implementation Method 3
a geared actuation system that includes a rotatable collar, sliders, and an idler gear, allowing for precise control and consistent clip feeding and closure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A laparoscopic clip applier can have a geared clip feed mechanism and a direct jaw clamping mechanism to provide smooth operation over a clip application stroke of a movable handle. The geared clip feed mechanism can include an idler gear and two drive gear racks to advance a feed slider feeding a clip to a jaw assembly. The two drive gear racks can be positioned to provide different gearing during clip feed and firing portions of the clip application stroke, allowing efficient packaging of the clip feed mechanism. A spring can rapidly withdraw the feed slider once the clip has been fed and before clamping begins. The movable handle can have a direct connection to a clamping slider to enhance user feedback during clamping of the clip. After clamping the clip, the movable handle can also assist in returning the clamping slider to an initial position for firing another clip.