Surgical Ligation Clip Proximal Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical ligation clips are ineffective in minimizing tissue damage during application, often requiring larger instruments due to their wide profile and unstable locking mechanisms, which can lead to unintended tissue penetration and inadequate clamping force.
Innovation Solution
A surgical ligation clip with a narrow profile design and a locking mechanism that uses a wedge or buttress body to bias the legs closed, allowing for stable clamping without the need for additional tissue dissection, and an automatic applier that deploys the clip through a smaller instrument, ensuring reliable attachment with minimal tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional surgical ligation clips are used, then vessel ligation can be achieved, but the clips have a wide profile requiring larger instruments and cause more tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is divided into two separate legs that are actuated independently by separate actuators, allowing the legs to be positioned and closed separately. This segmentation enables a narrower overall profile while maintaining effective clamping capability, as each leg can be optimized for minimal width without compromising the overall clamping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a traditional distal-end locking approach to a proximal-end locking approach. By moving the locking mechanism to the proximal end of the clip legs and actuating it through the proximal end, the design achieves stable locking without requiring additional distal tissue dissection or clearance, thereby reducing tissue damage while maintaining clip stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then clip closure can be achieved, but additional tissue dissection and clearance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is inverted from the traditional approach where locking features are at the distal end requiring tissue clearance. Instead, the locking mechanism is positioned at the proximal end and actuated through the proximal end, eliminating the need for additional distal tissue dissection while maintaining effective locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the existing proximal actuation system. The same actuators that close the clip legs also engage the locking mechanism at the proximal end, eliminating the need for separate distal actuation or additional tissue manipulation to engage locking features.
3Reliability
If manual suture ligation is used, then secure vessel closure can be achieved, but the procedure is time-consuming and difficult in endoscopic surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The manual suture ligation process is replaced with a mechanical clip application system. The clip applier uses mechanical actuators to close and lock the clip legs, providing secure vessel closure through mechanical force rather than manual knot tying. This substitution maintains the reliability of secure closure while dramatically increasing the speed and ease of the procedure, especially in endoscopic surgery where manual manipulation is difficult.
4Stability of the object's composition
If clips with distal locking features are used, then stable clamping can be achieved, but the instrument profile must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is inverted from distal to proximal positioning. By placing the locking features at the proximal end of the clip legs and actuating them through the proximal end, the design achieves stable clamping without requiring a larger instrument profile. The proximal actuation system can engage the locking mechanism through the existing instrument shaft without requiring additional distal clearance or larger diameter.
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 provides a stable and reliable clamping force with minimal tissue damage, enabling secure vessel ligation while allowing for easier deployment through smaller surgical instruments, improving the efficiency and safety of endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A locking means for biasing the legs closed extending proximal to the clip hinge means
Data Source
AI summary
An applier for ligation clip is provided. The applier includes: an outer tube having mounting bosses; a pair of jaws pivotally connected to the mounting bosses, the jaws having actuating projections; a feed tube located in the outer tube and configured to move axially within the outer tube, the feed tube having actuating slots in which the actuating projections are located; a clip lock arm located in the outer tube and configured to move axially within the outer tube; and a clip advance arm located in the outer tube and configured to move axially within the outer tube, the clip advance arm having flexible pinchers at one end of the clip advance arm. A method of applying a ligation clip is also disclosed.