Surgical Clip Applier Jaw Retainer and Camming Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical clip appliers require complex mechanical designs for precise timing and coordinated movement, leading to increased costs and issues with accidental clip projection and overload handling, especially when dealing with varying vessel sizes or foreign objects.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clip applier with a jaw retainer assembly, feeder shoe, and feed bar system that advances clips through a clip track, featuring a camming mechanism for clip formation and a tissue stop for precise positioning, along with an anti-backup mechanism to prevent accidental opening and an overload mechanism to manage excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a spring-loaded clip advancing assembly is used to advance clips through the shaft, then clip delivery is automated, but the device becomes more complex and requires additional mechanisms to prevent accidental projection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring-loaded clip advancing assembly from the device, eliminating the complex mechanical mechanisms required for automated clip delivery. Instead, clips are advanced through simple manual manipulation by the operator, which reduces device complexity while still allowing for controlled clip advancement through the shaft to the jaws.
2Reliability
If full closure of the jaws is required, then complete ligation is achieved, but overload occurs when the vessel or duct is too large or a foreign object is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows for partial closure of the jaws rather than requiring full closure. The operator can close the jaws to the extent needed to securely ligate the vessel or duct without forcing complete closure, which prevents excessive force application and potential damage when the vessel size or foreign objects are present. This partial action approach maintains ligation effectiveness while avoiding overload.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise timing and coordinated movement of components are implemented, then clip formation accuracy is improved, but the mechanical design becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a camming mechanism that automatically coordinates the timing and movement of components during jaw closure. As the jaws close, the cam surface naturally guides the clip formation process through the interaction of the cam with the clip and jaw surfaces, eliminating the need for complex external timing mechanisms while maintaining precise clip formation accuracy.
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 enhances the precision and safety of clip application, reduces the risk of accidental clip projection, and handles overload conditions effectively, improving the usability and reliability of the device across different surgical scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a camming mechanism for clip formation
Implementation Method 2
Many prior art clip appliers also use a spring-loaded clip advancing assembly to advance one or more clips through the shaft of the device
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2D
AI summary
A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.