Surgical Clip Applier Stabilizing Members and Jaw Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical clip appliers lack sufficient stability and reliable actuation mechanisms, often causing surgical clips to become misaligned or fall out during procedures, due to insufficient contact points and closing force.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a clip applier with stabilizing members on opposing lateral sides of the surgical clip to reduce lateral movement, and a mechanism using leaf springs and a tubular member to ensure reliable opening and closing of the jaws, providing multiple points of contact and stable clip application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If two points of contact are used to secure the surgical clip, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the surgical clip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw members are segmented to include multiple contact points: distal contact points for engaging bosses on the surgical clip legs, and proximal contact points for engaging the proximal portion of the surgical clip. This segmentation allows the same jaw structure to provide both simplified operation and enhanced stability through multiple engagement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a longitudinal dimension to clip stabilization by introducing proximal contact points in addition to the distal contact points. This creates contact points along the length of the surgical clip (distal and proximal dimensions), preventing both rotation and lateral movement through multi-point engagement along the clip's longitudinal axis.
2Ease of operation
If sufficient closing force is not provided, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of jaw closure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw members are pre-loaded with closing force through the mechanical advantage of the lever system and the elastic recovery of the surgical clip itself. The distal contact points are positioned to engage the bosses on the clip legs, which are designed to flex and provide elastic resistance, ensuring that sufficient closing force is applied automatically when the jaws are closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical clip's own elastic properties provide feedback during closure. As the jaws close and compress the clip, the elastic deformation of the clip legs and bosses provides resistance that prevents over-compression and ensures consistent, reliable closing force. The mechanical advantage of the lever system also provides force feedback to the operator.
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 enhances the stability and ease of use of surgical clip application, reducing misalignment and dropout issues, while ensuring consistent and reliable closure of the clip applier.
Implementation Method 1
The first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member may be configured to be positioned on opposite lateral sides of a proximal portion of the surgical clip to reduce lateral movement of the surgical clip
Implementation Method 2
a leaf spring configured to bias the first jaw member into the open configuration
Implementation Method 3
a tubular member configured to advance over the first jaw member to cam the first jaw member into a closed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A clip applier may be configured to apply a surgical clip and have a pair of jaw members. Each of the jaw members may have an inner surface and a stabilizing member extending from the inner surface. Each of the jaw members may be configured to engage a distal portion of a leg member of the surgical clip. The stabilizing members may be configured to be positioned on opposite lateral sides of a proximal portion of the surgical clip to reduce lateral movement of the surgical clip. An inner portion of each of the stabilizing members may be spaced apart from the opposing jaw member in an open configuration, and each of the jaw members may have a channel on the inner surface to receive the opposing stabilizing member in a closed configuration.