Ligation Clip Applier Tab Assembly for Secure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-fire ligation clip appliers face issues with ligation clips falling or becoming disengaged from the end effector due to inadequate support, leading to improper application on tissue during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an elongated shaft assembly with a movable tab assembly and flexible finger assembly that axially moves to load and secure clips between the first and second jaw members, ensuring proper positioning and clamping of ligation clips within the end effector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple clip holding structure is used in multi-fire ligation clip appliers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the clips may fall or become disengaged from the end effector, compromising reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The tab assembly is nested within the elongated shaft assembly, with tabs positioned inside the shaft to engage clips sequentially. This nested configuration provides reliable clip retention while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the clip supply and the end effector jaws. The tabs transfer and control clip movement, ensuring reliable engagement and securement without requiring complex external holding structures.
2Productivity
If clips are held in a clip cartridge for sequential feeding, then productivity is improved by applying multiple clips without removing the applier, but the risk of clips becoming disengaged increases
Solution Approach 1:
Clips are pre-loaded into the elongated shaft assembly in sequential order before the surgical procedure begins. The tab assembly is pre-configured to engage and advance clips one at a time, ensuring reliable delivery of multiple clips without requiring repositioning of the applier.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab assembly provides dynamic control over clip advancement, allowing sequential movement of clips from the shaft to the end effector jaws. This dynamic mechanism ensures that clips are delivered in the correct sequence while maintaining secure engagement throughout the multi-fire process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the end effector jaws are designed to simply hold clips, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision must be high to ensure proper clip support and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical clip-holding mechanisms in the jaws with a simpler tab-based engagement system. The tabs provide precise positioning and control of clips through their geometric configuration and movement, reducing the need for high-precision jaw features while maintaining accurate clip delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A ligation clip applier includes first and second jaw members and an elongated shaft assembly secured thereto. The elongated shaft assembly includes a tube supporting clips therein and a tab assembly supported within the tube and including angled tabs engaged with the clips for moving the clips through the tube in response to movement of the tab assembly relative to the tube. The tab assembly is positionable to load a distal-most clip into the end effector when the tab assembly moves relative to the tube. The tube is selectively engageable with an outer surface of the first and second jaw members to clamp the distal-most clip between the first and second jaw members.