Surgical Clip Applier Motion Multiplier Linkage System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical clip appliers require different stroke lengths and timing for various sizes, leading to complex assembly and functionality variations, necessitating a solution that simplifies internal components while maintaining high clip pushing force and low driving force.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clip applier with a motion multiplier system using linkage members to incrementally move a pusher bar and wedge plate, allowing for consistent operation across different sizes with geometric adjustments only, and incorporating a ratchet mechanism and counter display mechanism for efficient clip deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different sized surgical clip appliers use different internal components, then each size can be optimized for its specific stroke length and timing, but the assembly process becomes complex and varies by size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized internal component architecture that can be used across multiple sizes of surgical clip appliers. The housing, channel assembly, drive channel, wedge plate, pusher bar, and linkage members are designed with consistent functional interfaces and geometric relationships, allowing the same components to serve multiple size variants through geometric scaling rather than complete redesign. This reduces assembly complexity while maintaining size-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the geometry of internal components (such as linkage member lengths, channel dimensions, and component spacing) to accommodate different applier sizes while maintaining the same fundamental component architecture. This allows optimization for specific stroke lengths and timing requirements of each size without introducing entirely new components, thereby simplifying the assembly process.
2Ease of manufacture
If surgical clip appliers are designed with simplified internal components, then assembly becomes easier and more consistent, but maintaining high clip pushing force with low driving force becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating a motion multiplier system with linkage members that dynamically transform the driving force applied at the handles into amplified pushing force at the clip. The linkage mechanism creates a mechanical advantage that varies during the actuation cycle, providing high force multiplication when needed while maintaining simple component design. This dynamic force transformation achieves efficient clip deployment without complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the linkage members as intermediary elements between the drive channel and the pusher bar. These linkages act as mechanical mediators that transfer and amplify force from the simple drive channel actuation to the clip pushing action. The linkage system provides the force multiplication effect while keeping both the drive channel and pusher bar designs simple, resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and force efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a motion multiplier system with linkage members is used, then consistent performance across different sizes is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the force transmission function into distinct modular components: the drive channel, the linkage members (with pivot points), and the pusher bar. Each segment has a specific function and can be independently optimized or adjusted for different sizes. The linkage system is segmented into multiple rigid bodies connected by pivots, allowing geometric scaling while maintaining the same functional architecture, thus achieving consistency across sizes without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
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 solution enables consistent performance across various sizes with simpler components, maintaining high clip pushing force and low driving force, and provides a unified assembly method for different sized appliers, enhancing usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a motion multiplier system having a plurality of linkage members configured to distally move the pusher bar by an incremental amount upon an initial actuation of the handles
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a ratchet mechanism and counter display mechanism for efficient clip deployment
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical clip appliers are provided and include a housing; at least one handle pivotably connected to the housing; a channel assembly extending distally from the housing; a clip carrier disposed within the channel assembly and defining a channel and a plurality of windows therein; and a plurality of clips slidably disposed within the channel of the clip carrier. The surgical clip appliers further include a drive channel reciprocally disposed within at least one of the housing and the channel assembly; a wedge plate reciprocally disposed within the channel assembly; a pusher bar reciprocally positioned within the housing and the channel assembly; and a motion multiplier system having a plurality of linkage members configured to distally move the pusher bar by an incremental amount upon an initial actuation of the handles, and configured to proximally move the pusher bar and the wedge plate subsequent to the initial actuation of the handles.