Concentric Surgical Instrument Handle for Compact Multi-Function Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments require multiple actuating mechanisms for each functional component, leading to complex arrangements and increased size, which complicates their use in both endoscopic and open surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument design featuring a housing with concentrically arranged drive shafts and sleeves, a rotatable nose wheel, and an actuator assembly that allows for simultaneous rotation and translation of multiple components, enabling multi-functionality with a single handle while minimizing the instrument's size and diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuating mechanisms are provided for each functional component, then the surgical instrument can perform multiple functions, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple actuating mechanisms into a single integrated handle assembly. The rotatable nose wheel serves as a common actuating element that controls rotation of multiple concentric drive shafts, each responsible for different functional components (grasping, dissecting, treating). This merging approach maintains multi-functionality while significantly reducing the complexity of actuating mechanism arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The single handle assembly with rotatable nose wheel is designed to universally control multiple functional components through concentric drive shafts. Each drive shaft can be independently actuated by the same nose wheel mechanism, allowing one actuating structure to perform multiple functions (grasping, dissecting, treating tissue) without requiring separate handles or actuators for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuating mechanisms are provided for each functional component, then the surgical instrument can perform multiple functions, but the instrument size and diameter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where multiple drive shafts are arranged concentrically within one another, similar to nested dolls. The first drive shaft is disposed within the shaft, the second drive shaft is disposed within the first drive shaft, and so on. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to be packed into a compact housing volume while maintaining access to all functions through the single rotatable nose wheel.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging multiple actuating mechanisms side-by-side in a linear fashion that would increase the instrument's diameter, the patent transitions to a radial/concentric arrangement in another dimension. The multiple drive shafts are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the instrument, rotating about a common centerline, which minimizes the instrument's diameter while accommodating multiple functions.
3Volume of moving object
If concentric drive shafts are used to reduce housing size, then the instrument diameter is minimized, but the ease of operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a rotatable nose wheel that dynamically controls the rotation and translation of multiple concentric drive shafts. The nose wheel can be rotated to selectively engage different drive shafts, allowing the operator to dynamically switch between different functions (grasping, dissecting, treating) without changing the physical position of the handle. This dynamic control mechanism maintains ease of operation despite the compact concentric arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable nose wheel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator's input and the multiple concentric drive shafts. It translates a single rotational input into selective actuation of different drive shafts, simplifying the operation for the user while maintaining the compact concentric structure. The nose wheel mediates the control signals to ensure easy manipulation of all functional components from a single location.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument including housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom, an outer sleeve disposed about the shaft and selectively translatable relative to the shaft, a first drive shaft disposed within the shaft and translatable relative to the shaft independently of the outer sleeve, a second drive shaft disposed within the first drive shaft and coupled to the outer sleeve to translate in conjunction with the outer sleeve, and a rotatable nose wheel. The rotatable nose wheel is mounted about a distal end of the housing and is rotatably coupled to each of the outer sleeve, the shaft, the first drive shaft, and the second drive shaft such that rotation of the rotatable nose wheel effects corresponding rotation of the outer sleeve, the shaft, the first drive shaft, and the second drive shaft in conjunction with one another and relative to the housing.