Surgical Clip Applier Ratchet Mechanism Overload Control
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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 ratchet mechanism assembly is introduced, featuring a handle housing with a pawl and trigger insert, allowing controlled movement from an open to partially closed position, and enabling free movement to fully closed position, preventing accidental clip projection and managing overload through a set of teeth and an end tooth mechanism.
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 the clip feeding mechanism can operate automatically, but the jaws must contain complex mechanisms to prevent accidental projection of the clip
Solution Approach 1:
A ratchet mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the trigger and the jaw closure mechanism. This ratchet allows unidirectional movement and controlled release, enabling automatic clip advancement while preventing accidental jaw closure. The ratchet engages with the trigger to permit jaw closure only when intentionally activated, thereby eliminating the need for complex accidental projection prevention mechanisms in the jaws themselves.
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 positioned between the jaws
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism is designed to allow partial closure of the jaws without requiring full closure. The trigger can be actuated to advance the clip into position and partially close the jaws for ligation, but the ratchet prevents excessive force that would cause overload. This partial action approach achieves complete ligation of the vessel while avoiding damage from forced full closure when obstructions are present.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex mechanical designs are used for precise timing and coordinated movement, then accurate clip formation is achieved, but the cost of the clip appliers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism provides self-service timing and coordination for clip formation. As the trigger is actuated, the ratchet automatically controls the sequence of operations: advancing the clip, positioning the jaws, and controlling closure. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex externally-controlled timing systems, achieving accurate clip formation while reducing mechanical design complexity and cost.
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 ratchet mechanism simplifies the clip application process, reduces complexity and cost, and enhances the device's ability to handle varying vessel sizes and foreign objects by ensuring precise control and preventing overload, thus improving the safety and efficiency of surgical clip application.
Implementation Method 1
a pawl rotatably disposed within the handle housing; a trigger; and a trigger insert pivotally disposed within the handle housing and coupled to the trigger; the ratchet mechanism assembly characterized in that the trigger insert includes a first set of teeth adapted to ensure a full range of motion of the trigger from an open position to a partially closed position when the first set of teeth are engaged by the pawl
Implementation Method 2
an end tooth adapted to allow free movement of the trigger between the partially closed position and the fully closed position when the end tooth is engaged by the pawl
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.