Surgical Clip Applier Trigger Mechanism for Overload Protection
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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, particularly when dealing with varying vessel sizes or foreign objects.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clip applier with a trigger-actuated feeder shoe and feed bar system that advances clips distally, featuring a tang mechanism to prevent proximal movement and ensure proper clip alignment, along with an overload mechanism to prevent excessive force application on the jaws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded clip advancing assembly is used to advance clips through the shaft, then clip advancement is achieved, but the jaws require complex mechanisms to prevent accidental projection and the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring-loaded advancing assembly from the system and replaces it with a manual trigger-actuated feed bar mechanism. This removal of the complex spring-loaded system eliminates the need for sophisticated prevention mechanisms in the jaws, as the manual trigger provides inherent control over clip advancement timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger mechanism serves dual functions: it controls jaw closure and simultaneously advances the clip via the feed bar. This self-service approach integrates multiple functions into a single operator action, eliminating the need for separate complex prevention mechanisms while maintaining reliable control over clip projection timing.
2Manufacturing precision
If full closure of the jaws is required, then complete crimping 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 cam mechanism is designed to provide progressive force during jaw closure, allowing partial closure to occur naturally and then applying excessive force only when the vessel size and shape permit complete closure. This partial/excessive action approach ensures complete crimping for proper vessels while the progressive nature prevents sudden overload damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam profile is pre-designed to provide a gradual increase in closing force, cushioning the transition from partial to full closure. This beforehand cushioning through cam geometry prevents sudden force spikes that could cause overload damage to oversized vessels or foreign objects, while still achieving complete crimping when appropriate.
3Measurement precision
If precise timing and coordinated movement of components are implemented, then clip advancement and jaw closure are synchronized, but the mechanical design becomes complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger mechanism is merged to control both jaw closure and clip advancement functions. A single trigger actuation simultaneously initiates cam-driven jaw closure and feed bar-driven clip advancement, achieving precise timing synchronization through a unified control mechanism rather than separate coordinated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger assembly serves multiple functions: it activates the cam mechanism for jaw closure, advances the feed bar for clip positioning, and coordinates the timing between these operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise timing synchronization.
Data Source
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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 a 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. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.