Closure-Tube-Actuated Articulation Lock for Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling and cutting instruments face challenges in efficiently articulating and locking the surgical end effector, particularly in ensuring precise control and preventing unintended firing during tissue manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an articulation lock actuated by closure tube displacement, which allows for controlled articulation and prevents unintended firing by integrating a slidable lock plate mechanism that engages and disengages based on the position of the closure tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an articulation lock mechanism is implemented to prevent unintended firing, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock plate is integrated with the closure tube, combining the locking function with the existing closure mechanism. The lock plate forms part of the closure tube structure, eliminating the need for a completely separate locking system while still providing articulation locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure tube serves multiple functions: it closes the jaw, acts as a guide for the lock plate, and its displacement triggers the articulation locking action. The lock plate itself serves dual purposes by both locking the articulation and guiding the closure tube movement.
2Measurement precision
If a slidable lock plate mechanism is used for controlled articulation, then precision of articulation control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock plate acts as an intermediary element between the closure tube displacement and the articulation locking action. As the closure tube moves distally, it slides the lock plate along the articulation drive shaft, which then engages with the articulation joint to provide precise controlled locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into separable components: the lock plate that slides along the closure tube, the articulation drive shaft with engagement features, and the articulation joint. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall precision.
3Ease of operation
If the lock plate is integrated with the closure tube, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock plate is designed to automatically engage and disengage the articulation locking features through its own displacement along the closure tube. The spring-loaded mechanism provides automatic resetting, eliminating the need for separate manual locking or unlocking actions by the surgeon.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a closure tube, an articulation joint, an articulation driver, and an articulation lock is disclosed. The articulation driver is to rotate the end effector about the articulation joint and comprises first teeth. The articulation lock comprises a cam surface and second teeth, and the articulation lock is rotatable relative to the articulation driver between a first position, where the second teeth are demeshed from the first teeth and the articulation driver is permitted to rotate the end effector about the articulation joint, and a second position, where the second teeth are meshed with the first teeth and the articulation driver is prevented from rotating the end effector about the articulation joint. The cam is to engage the cam surface of the articulation lock and rotate the articulation lock toward the second position based on the closure tube moving toward a distal position.